Leading Ladies Collection, Vol. 2 DVD Review (2007)

From Warner, a set of five films, each worth revisiting for the power of the performances alone.

In 1955's “I'll Cry Tomorrow," Susan Hayward is struck hard by the more melodramatic undercurrents of life--and survives (she's excellent); 1966's “Big Hand for the Little Lady” stars JoAnn Woodward trying her hand at poker after her husband (Henry Fonda) dies; and in 1967's “Up the Down Staircase," Sandy Dennis joins Jean Stapleton in a battle to make a failed public school system work.

In 1981's “Rich and Famous," Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen star in George Cukor's last film, while in 1982's “Shoot the Moon,” Diane Keaton is paired opposite Albert Finney in a movie about their characters' unraveling marriage and messy divorce.

Grade: B+