The Universal Story

Clips from some 130 films--most of them excellent, barring the gratuitous addition of recent MCA Universal Home Video releases [The Flintstones? Casper? Please...]--enliven this wonderful history of MCA/Universal. Hosted by Richard Dreyfuss (who made his mark in at least two Universal biggies--American Graffiti and Jaws), the film traces the struggling efforts of pioneer movie mogul Carl Laemmle who created Universal and then lost it when the bank called in a loan during the filming of the 1936 version of Show Boat. Ironically, the film went on to earn a very good return for the new owners. Film enthusiasts will enjoy the recap of the Depression era horror films (Universal was the unquestioned master of the genre), the reign of Hitchcock, and the moneymaking post-WWII series ‘Francis the Talking Mule' and ‘Ma and Pa Kettle.' And star-gazers won't be disappointed with the commentary by James Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sigourney Weaver, and Universal's most bankable "star" Steven Spielberg. It may not do the numbers of Jurassic Park, but this affectionate tribute should be a big hit with most viewers. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)