Home Town Story

Customer Reviews:

Is this like your Fifth and Main?.......2006-03-22

Check out the various versions on the Amazon search facility and you'll mostly see Marilyn featured as the main image on most of the DVD boxes, the reality is that she appears for less than five minutes and her dialogue could be read in about two.

I found my copy in a supermarket at such a low price that I wondered if anyone was making anything on it, they were of course. The reason I bought it was the title and the fact that it was made in the early fifties and I was right, it does show everyday life in small-city USA. You'll get to see middle class domestic housing, interior decor, fashions, buses, trains, planes (even a newspaper delivery boy on one of those Cushman motor scooters) and a simple homey story with a bit of economic theory chucked in as well...and that's it.

Without a photo of Ms Monroe on the front nobody would be interested (apart from me of course). It will probably continue to be re-released every few years to attract another wave of new MM fans but it really should have been forgotten decades ago.

Average customer rating:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn

Home Town Story
Starring: Griff Barnett , Barbara Brown , Virginia Campbell , Byron Foulger , and Harry Harvey
Director: Arthur Pierson
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006FFRAC
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Customer Reviews:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn.......2005-09-25

Hometown Story (1951) features Marilyn Monroe in one of her earliest roles, and while Marilyn probably fuels most of the sells for this item, the movie itself is actually quite good in its own right. Jeffrey Lynn plays Blake Washburn, a newly un-elected state senator who returns home with quite an electoral chip on his shoulder. He's not above punching a guy for joking about the election, and even his old friends are likely to be met with a cold shoulder. Washburn takes over his uncle's newspaper, but all he cares about is starting an editorial crusade that will help him win his Senate seat back. Slim Haskins (a young Alan Hale, Jr. of Gilligan's Island fame), his best friend and lead reporter, grows increasingly frustrated at Washburn's politicized agenda, and even Washburn's long-suffering fiance Janice (Marjorie Reynolds) cannot get through to him, even when she threatens to call the whole thing off. Undaunted, Washburn rakes big business up and down the coals of his editorial pages, even after one local businessman, John McFarland (Donald Crisp), gives him an Economics 101 lecture on the importance of big business and its products in everyday life.

Then Washburn's little sister Katie (Melinda Plowman) enters an old mine to retrieve her new puppy and becomes the victim of a terrible cave-in. The wealthy Mr. McFarland comes to Katie's aid in a very big way, as does big business itself through a number of its mechanical and life-saving products. Hometown Story carries an important message, and it delivers this message in a quite moving and certainly entertaining manner. As for Marilyn Monroe, she plays Washburn's secretary Iris; it is by no means a large part, but she does appear in several scenes. Her acting skills are not very polished at this stage of her career, but she certainly accomplishes her main task of making tight sweaters look absolutely amazing. Alan Hale's character has the hots for Iris, and I cannot help but get a kick out of watching "the Skipper" trying to put the moves on Marilyn Monroe.

Average customer rating:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn
Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Marilyn, not John Wayne

Home Town Story
Starring: Jeffrey Lynn , Donald Crisp , Marjorie Reynolds , Alan Hale Jr. , and Marilyn Monroe
Director: Arthur Pierson
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305417296
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Customer Reviews:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn.......2003-09-05

Then Washburn's little sister Katie (Melinda Plowman) enters an old mine to retrieve her new puppy and becomes the victim of a terrible cave-in. The wealthy Mr. McFarland comes to Katie's aid in a very big way, as does big business itself through a number of its mechanical and life-saving products. Hometown Story carries an important message, and it delivers this message in a quite moving and certainly entertaining manner. As for Marilyn Monroe, she plays Washburn's secretary Iris; it is by no means a large part, but she does appear in several scenes. Her acting skills are not very polished at this stage of her career, but she certainly accomplishes her main task of making tight sweaters look absolutely amazing. Alan Hale's character has the hots for Iris, and I cannot help but get a kick out of watching "the Skipper" trying to put the moves on Marilyn Monroe.

Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature.......2002-06-08

This two-tape set is a must for Marilyn Monroe completists everywhere. 1) The 1951 film "Hometown Story" stars Jeffrey Lynn as a bitter ex-politician who goes to work for his uncle's newspaper. Monroe has a small but very amusing and memorable role in the picture. 2) "The Marilyn Monroe Story" is one of the best documentaries about the legendary sex goddess ever put together. John Huston, who directed Marilyn in her first really well-known film(THE ASPHALT JUNGLE) as well as her last film(THE MISFITS), takes us on an incredible journey through this remarkable woman's life.

Not extraordinary but entertaining........2001-03-05

The 1951 film, Home Town Story, was never released commercially. This film was produced by General Motors with the intent to propagandize American industry. Home Town Story is about a secretary (Marilyn Monroe) to a politician who is convicted that Big Business is behind his election loss. Marilyn does not have a significant amount of screen time. Out of 61 minutes, Marilyn is only present in approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds. However, this film is not utterly nor completely horrible. Perhaps Home Town Story is not a great first impression of a Marilyn Monroe film, but for an avid fan it is not her worst work.

Not extraordinary but entertaining........2001-03-05

Marilyn, not John Wayne.......2001-02-22

There seems to be some confusion here. There are apparently two movies called Hometown Story. One with Marilyn Monroe and one with John Wayne. This is the one with Marilyn.

It was filmed early in her career and she only has a small role in it. She plays the secretary to a newspaper editor that is trying to take down what he thinks is a corrupt businessman. The story is a typical post-WWII melodrama and doesn't really have any hold any cinematic history other than casting Marilyn.

A must-have for the true Marilyn fan (in DVD, which is rare in the first place), other more popular movies might be better for the casual fan.

Another person to look for is Alan Hale Jr. as the veteran reporter. He played the Skipper on Gilligan's Island years later and is very young here.

Product Description

A radical young reporter taints a village and local politicians with his vitriolic criticism of small town ethics. Contains one of Marilyn Monroe's earliest screen appearances.

Average customer rating:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn
Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Marilyn, not John Wayne

Home Town Story: Marilyn Monroe
Starring: Jeffrey Lynn , Donald Crisp , Marjorie Reynolds , Alan Hale Jr. , and Marilyn Monroe
Director: Arthur Pierson
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008G8B5
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Description

Features a stunning young Marilyn Monroe on the brink of stardom. See Monroe as her star just begins to twinkle.

Also included: Hollywood Remembers Marilyn - a documentary and an introduction by Tony Curtis and bonus press footage of Marilyn Monroe.

Menus: English • Spanish • Chinese • Japanese
Subtitles: Spanish • Chinese • Japanese

B&W
Running Time: 91 min.

Customer Reviews:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn.......2003-09-05

Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature.......2002-06-08

Not extraordinary but entertaining........2001-03-05

Marilyn, not John Wayne.......2001-02-22

There seems to be some confusion here. There are apparently two movies called Hometown Story. One with Marilyn Monroe and one with John Wayne. This is the one with Marilyn.

A must-have for the true Marilyn fan (in DVD, which is rare in the first place), other more popular movies might be better for the casual fan.

Another person to look for is Alan Hale Jr. as the veteran reporter. He played the Skipper on Gilligan's Island years later and is very young here.

Description

Embittered Blake Washburn (Jeffrey Lynn) becomes a newspaper editor to attack big business manufacturer MacFarland, who he blames for losing his re-election campaign. Then tragedy strikes when Blake's kid sister Katie is trapped in a cave-in, and new technology developed by MacFarland aids in her rescue. This forces Blake to re-evaluate his views on big business. Marilyn Monroe, in one of her first films, really shines as Washburn's secretary. Look for Alan Hale Jr. (later on Gilligan's Island) who tries to get a date with her. In an interesting side note, General Motors backed this film to promote big business politics.

King Lear / Oliver Twist / the Southerner / Life with Father / Home Town Story / Lady of Burlesque & Many More... [16 Features - 4 DVD Pack]

Average customer rating:

King Lear / Oliver Twist / the Southerner / Life with Father / Home Town Story / Lady of Burlesque & Many More... [16 Features - 4 DVD Pack]

Manufacturer: PLATINUM
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

16 full length features... Home Town Story, Rain, Three Guys Named Mike, Whistle Stop, King Lear, Oliver Twist, The Private Life Of Henry VIII, The Risa Of Catherine The Great, Lady Of Burlesque, Of Human Bondage, The Southerner, Behind Office Doors, The Beatniks, Fight For The Title, I Cover The Waterfront, Life With Father

Average customer rating:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn
Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Not extraordinary but entertaining.
Marilyn, not John Wayne

Home Town Story
Starring: Jeffrey Lynn , Donald Crisp , Marjorie Reynolds , Alan Hale Jr. , and Marilyn Monroe
Director: Arthur Pierson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0001B3XFM

Customer Reviews:

A great film that also happens to feature a young Marilyn.......2003-09-05

Enjoyable Marilyn Monroe Double Feature.......2002-06-08

Not extraordinary but entertaining........2001-03-05

Marilyn, not John Wayne.......2001-02-22

There seems to be some confusion here. There are apparently two movies called Hometown Story. One with Marilyn Monroe and one with John Wayne. This is the one with Marilyn.

A must-have for the true Marilyn fan (in DVD, which is rare in the first place), other more popular movies might be better for the casual fan.

Another person to look for is Alan Hale Jr. as the veteran reporter. He played the Skipper on Gilligan's Island years later and is very young here.

Customer Reviews:

BORING.......2002-03-06

This movie is so dreadfully boring and dull. Marilyn is in the movie for a total of about 5 minutes, in which her screen presence doesn't even really shine brightly. The plot seems okay, but the acting is just dull, dull, dull. DO NOT buy this unless you like political, boring, b&w movies.

The documentary isn't worth your time either. Don't bother buying this set.

This DVD (disappointed).......2001-11-15

I ignored the reviews written by other people and decided to buy this DVD anyway. Boy am I sorry!
This DVD is awful. The sound and picture quality made me feel like I was watching a bootleg videotape. The other features (disappoint) also. It has trivia and something about the men in her life that you can only read about. Reading a book on Marilyn is more fascinating than watching this.
Heed my advice and others, DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!

somewhat interesting.......2000-02-01

the quality of this documentary isnt very good... it seems like it was filmed quite a while ago on poor equipment. i highly recommend that you buy "memories and mysteries" instead... almost the exact same documentary, but the sound quality is FAR better(i could barely understand the narrator on this dvd!) plus it has a few extra features.

We Remember Marilyn - Home Town Story - 2 DVD Set

Average customer rating:

We Remember Marilyn - Home Town Story - 2 DVD Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

2 Seperate Marilyn Monroe Movies
Marilyn Monroe Movies Documentary on DVD
Marilyn Monroe Movies Drama on DVD
Highlights of her major movies
Rare Photos, Screen Test, TV Appearances, Home Movies

ASIN: B000PK23X2

Product Description

We Remember Marilyn - Home Town Story - 2 DVD Set: 1. We Remember Marilyn - Marilyn Monroe Documentary -Entertainment show of MARILYN MONROE in over 25 of her most important films. Watch Norma Jean transform from a cuddly young teenager to the most recognizable face and body in the world. From bit parts in LOVE HAPPY and ALL ABOUT EVE to spectacular starring roles such as: THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, SOME LIKE IT HOT, THE MISFITS, GENTLEMAN PREFER BLONDES, BUS STOP, HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE, RIVER OF NO RETURN, SEVEN YEAR ITCH, LADIES OF THE CHORUS, NIAGARA, etc. plus - many rare photos and a new "MARILYN" song . Bonus: Marilyn's original screen test for ASPHALT JUNGLE, T.V. appearances & very rare color home movies. WE REMEMBER MARILYN a visual feast. 120 min., Color / B&W. 2. Home Town Story - Drama - A hard-hitting drama about a reporter fighting against political corruption. It is historically interesting because it show Marilyn Monroe in one of her very early films, and heading for eventual immortality. For Marilyn fans, this rare footage is a collector's item! STARS: Alan Hale Jr. Marilyn Monroe, Jeffrey Lynn, Director: Arthur Pierson, B& W, 70 minutes. Dolby Digital Sound.

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