Coming to DVD: Deanna Durbin Music and Romance Collection

Turner Classic Movies has announced a June 9th date for the DVD release of Deanna Durbin: The Music and Romance Collection. (Update: The release date is now scheduled for June 30th.)

This five-film set will include THAT CERTAIN AGE (1938), MAD ABOUT MUSIC (1938), THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP (1939), BECAUSE OF HIM (1946), and FOR THE LOVE OF MARY (1948).

The set will be sold exclusively at the TCM store or through Movies Unlimited, which services TCM's online shop. Movies Unlimited has a peek at the individual DVD covers on their site.

It's not clear if there will be any extras. Previous TCM exclusive releases, such as REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940), have included stills and posters.

With this new release, 11 of Deanna's 21 feature films will now be available on Region 1 DVD. The 2004 Sweetheart Pack featured THREE SMART GIRLS (1936), FIRST LOVE (1939), IT STARTED WITH EVE (1941), CAN'T HELP SINGING (1944), LADY ON A TRAIN (1945), and SOMETHING IN THE WIND (1947).

I've previously acquired two of Durbin's films on Region 2 DVD, HERS TO HOLD (1943) and CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (1944). It will be interesting to see if the remainder of her films come out on DVD in the U.S., as she has a very devoted following.

Speaking of Miss Durbin, her only color movie, CAN'T HELP SINGING (1944), has its TCM premiere coming soon on Monday, May 3rd. It has an overlooked Jerome Kern score and lovely location photography. Don't miss it!