R-1 DVD and Blu-ray coming Sept. 6, 2011

Finally! Genevieve is being released on DVD in the U.S. on Sept. 6, 2011.

VCI, which has issued many classic British films on its label, is releasing this beloved comedy on both standard and Blu-ray discs. Retail prices are $19.99 and $24.99, respectively, but of course most sites discount them by a few dollars.

Both discs contain extras, principally a 30-minute documentary called "A Profile of Genevieve", which features interviews with star Dinah Sheridan, editor Clive Donner, cinematographer Christopher Challis and music composer Larry Adler, as well as a look at the cars themselves. There is also a photo and poster gallery.

I have this film on R-2 DVD (PAL), but its American release is long overdue. A charming, gentle film, and a nostalgic look at a vanished England of little traffic, small roads and much civility.

(Just as an aside in the time-flies department: the automobiles are vintage 1904, and several times it's mentioned the couples are driving 49-year-old cars, which correctly dates the movie to 1953. But today, anyone racing a 49-year-old car would be driving a vehicle manufactured in 1962 -- nine years after this film was made. And those 1904 cars are now 107 years old, not a mere 49. Like I said, time flies.)