The bargain buying continues! Yes, I’ve been charity shop hopping again, and picking up more DVDs in the process.

Is this an obsession? Yes. Clearly. However, it’s difficult to not take advantage of good discs at good prices.

At some point in the not-too distant future, the charity shop offerings are likely to dry up. After all, people will eventually stop clearing out their DVD cupboards, and when they do, there will be fewer and fewer discs donated to charity.

So, grab ‘em when you can, while you can. If you have gaps to fill in your collection, or you simply want to try out some films you are less familiar with, take a look in your local charity shop(s).

Below is what I picked up in a recent visit to my local goldmine.

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Calamity Jane (1953) – DVD

Musical Western starring Doris Day, Howard Keel, and Allyn McLerie. David Butler directs.

The blurb reads: “Doris Day and Howard Keel fuss, feud and fall in love as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok in this entertainment mother lode. 

“At first curvaceous Calamity is too durned busy fighting Indians and cracking a bullwhip to pay mind to such girlie what-alls as dresses and perfume. And Wild Bill is too danged busy wooing a dainty chanteuse (Allyn McLerie) to give a hoot about a hot-headed tomboy. But things change in a rootin’, tootin’, big way when each becomes love’s target. 

“These are wide-open Technicolor Western spaces, lots of high-stepping dances and a hummable humdinger of a score by Academy Award-winning songwriters Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, who took their first Oscar for the classic ballad (and ‘50s megahit) Secret Love.”

Bonus features: Two Newsreels: ‘Western Style’ and ‘Photo Play’; Theatrical Trailers.

Condition: Excellent, as new.

Cost: 20p (five for £1). This title is not currently available as an individual DVD in the UK, only as part of a musicals collection for £14.99, so picking up a copy for just 20p is a win-win situation. Cheap disc, fab Doris Day movie! After all, who doesn’t love the songs ‘The Deadwood Stage’ and ‘Secret Love’?

Likelihood of finding this in a UK charity shop: Not uncommon. Calamity Jane isn’t a title that pops up all that often, but I have come across it from time-to-time, although, never in as good a condition as this one.

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Darkness (2002) – DVD 

Supernatural horror from director Jaume Balagueró. Darkness stars Anna Paquin, Lena Olin, Iain Glen, Giancarlo Giannini, and Fele Martínez.

The blurb reads: “This chilling hit teams Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (Best Supporting Actress, The Piano 1993) with Lena Olin (Hollywood Homicide, Chocolat) and Iain Glen (Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) as a family whose life forever changes when they move into a new home with an ancient secret!

“Not long after Regina (Paquin) begins living in her family’s remote country estate, she learns that there’s something horribly disturbing about the old place… and soon her worst fears are realised!”

Bonus features: Darkness Illuminated: Behind the Scenes of Darkness; Theatrical Trailer; Teaser.

Condition: Excellent, no signs of wear and tear, and looks as if it came straight off the shelf.

Cost: 20p (five for £1). Darkness is not currently available to buy on disc in the UK, so finding a copy for just 20p is a steal! 

Likelihood of finding this in a UK charity shop: Slim! Not a well-known movie by any stretch of the imagination, so very unlikely to see this one in a UK charity shop.

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The Karate Kid (1984) – DVD 

Classic ‘80s martial arts drama starring Ralph Macchio and ‘Pat’ Morita. John G. Avildsen directs.

The blurb reads: “A fatherless teenager faces his moment of truth in The Karate Kid. Daniel (Ralph Macchio) arrives in Los Angeles from the east coast and faces the difficult task of making new friends. However, he becomes the object of bullying by the Cobras, a menacing gang of karate students, when he strikes up a relationship with Ali (Elisabeth Shue), the Cobra leader’s ex-girlfriend.

“Eager to fight back and impress his new girlfriend, but afraid to confront the dangerous gang, Daniel asks his handyman Miyagi (Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita) whom he learns is a master of the martial arts, to teach him karate. Miyagi teaches Daniel that karate is a mastery over the self – mind and body – and that fighting is always the last answer to a problem.

“Under Miyagi’s guidance, Daniel develops not only physical skills but also the faith and self-confidence to compete despite tremendous odds as he encounters the fight of his life in the exciting finale to this entertaining film.”

Bonus features: Multi-level Interactive Rom Games: Catch the Fly, Find the Village, & Capture The Bonsai Tree; Theatrical Trailer; Filmographies.

Condition: Excellent, as new.

Cost: 20p (five for £1). 

Likelihood of finding this in a UK charity shop: I’ve not previously noticed any Karate Kid DVDs in charity shops (apart from the Jackie Chan film from 2010), so the likelihood of running into a copy is low.

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The Karate Kid: Part II (1986)

Macchio, Morita, and director John G. Avildsen return for this action sequel which continues the Karate Kid story.

The blurb reads: “The price of honour. The power of friendship. The Karate Kid: Part II. Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita re-create the roles that brought them international acclaim in The Karate Kid, when karate student Daniel Larusso (Macchio) accompanies his wise and whimsical teacher Mr. Miyagi (Morita), to his ancestral home in Okinawa.

“For the boy, it’s a journey to an exotic new world, offering new clues to his mentor’s secret past. For Miyagi, it’s an opportunity to see his father one last time and to rekindle a romance with his childhood sweetheart (Nobu McCarthy).

“But Miyagi’s return also re-ignites a bitter feud with long-time enemy Sato (Danny Kamekona) – feud that involves young Daniel in a brilliant collision of cultures and combat. Now, far away from the tournaments, the cheering crowds and the safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when teacher becomes student, and the price of honour is life itself.”

Bonus features: Multi-level Interactive Rom Games: Catch the Fly, Find the Village, & Capture The Bonsai Tree; Featurette – The Sequel; Filmographies.

Condition: Excellent, as new.

Cost: 20p (five for £1).

Likelihood of finding this in a UK charity shop: As with The Karate Kid (above), Karate Kid: Part Twois not something which tends to appear regularly in charity shops – certainly not in my experience. 

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Amazing Grace (2006)

Biographical drama about the abolitionist campaign against the slave trade in the British Empire. Michael Apted directs, while the cast includes Ioan Gruffudd, Ciaran Hinds, Romola Garai, Youssou N’Dour, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, and Albert Finney.

The blurb reads: “Amazing Grace is the incredible true story of William Wilberforce, who tirelessly led the campaign to abolish slavery in Britain. At a time when the slave trade was not only perceived as acceptable but as a necessity for the economy, Wilberforce and his fellow abolitionists dared to speak out against a massive injustice, fighting long and hard for the freedom of others.

“Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four, Hornblower) leads an impressive British cast that includes Rufus Sewell (The Illusionist), Romola Garai (Vanity Fair) and Michael Gambon (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Directed by Michael Apted (Enigma, Gorillas in the Midst).

Bonus features: Commentary by Director Michael Apted and Star Ioan Gruffudd; Chris Tomlin Music Video; Amazing Grace: How Sweet the Sound; Trailer.

Condition: Excellent, as new.

Cost: 20p (five for £1). Another title which is not currently available on disc in the UK, so finding a copy for 20p is great! 

Likelihood of finding this in a UK charity shop: Unlikely. Amazing Grace is not a well-known film, so it is not amongst the usual crop of DVDs that tend to get donated to charity shops for re-sale.

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All the above DVDs were in great condition, and all were surprising finds. It always feels good to come across a DVD that’s not currently available to buy at regular retail shops, so to find multiple ‘rare’ DVDs is brilliant! 

Total cost for all five DVDs: £1! 

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