Press Release Warner Archive Collection Press Release: The Shining Hour (1938) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Coming to Blu-ray on June 25th from the Warner Archive Collection!
New 2024 1080p HD master from 4K scan of best preservation elements.

THE SHINING HOUR (1938)
BD-50
76 Minutes
B&W
16x9 1.37:1 with side mattes
DTS-HD MA 2.0
English SDH
Directed by Frank Borzage

SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio only vintage M-G-M radio program GOOD NEWS OF 1939, with scenes from THE SHINING HOUR, Classic cartoons: LOVE AND CURSES and THE SNEEZING WEASEL, Original Theatrical Trailer
Cast: Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young
When Joan Crawford saw The Shining Hour on the Broadway stage, she pleaded with M-G-M executives to let her spread her acting wings in the film version. Ms. Crawford got her way, playing a New York siren who marries a prosperous farmer (Melvyn Douglas) and moves to Wisconsin. There she is drawn to his handsome brother (Robert Young) , even as she befriends the brother’s selfless wife (Margaret Sullavan, Crawford’s choice for the role). The passionate triangle plays out in the best tradition of classic screen melodrama, glossy and chic, but resonant with honest emotion, all under the expert direction of the great Frank Borzage. The film’s heart-stopping climax with Crawford battling flames to rescue Sullavan from certain death is both literally and figuratively, incendiary filmmaking.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

https://www.amazon.com/Shining-Hour...22011&s=movies-tv&sr=1-168&xpid=ziMNe46DbjaW3

 

[Broomy]

Always great news to be getting more Crawford. I wonder why they’ve gone for a couple of Warner cartoons instead of some MGM ones? I wonder if it’s because the MGM library from that period hasn’t been upgraded to HD?

 

[Justin Ray]

Always great news to be getting more Sullavan, too!

 

[DannyLewis]

I am so excited about this announcement! This was my first Warner Archives dvd purchase just as the label was launched, together with another Borzage/Crawford partnership, Mannequin. And to have it now restored in Bluray is just a dream come true.
Thank you, Warner Archives, for releasing more Crawford films from her MGM era. Hopefully, A Woman's Face and the already mentioned Mannequin will follow at some point.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Release date has changed from June 18th to June 25th.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Amazon placeholder. Preorder should go live shortly

Amazon.com

 

[M90GM]

View attachment 220673

Coming to Blu-ray on June 25th from the Warner Archive Collection!
New 2024 1080p HD master from 4K scan of best preservation elements.

THE SHINING HOUR (1938)
BD-50
76 Minutes
B&W
16x9 1.37:1 with side mattes
DTS-HD MA 2.0
English SDH
Directed by Frank Borzage

SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio only vintage M-G-M radio program GOOD NEWS OF 1939, with scenes from THE SHINING HOUR, Classic cartoons: LOVE AND CURSES and THE SNEEZING WEASEL, Original Theatrical Trailer
Cast: Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young
When Joan Crawford saw The Shining Hour on the Broadway stage, she pleaded with M-G-M executives to let her spread her acting wings in the film version. Ms. Crawford got her way, playing a New York siren who marries a prosperous farmer (Melvyn Douglas) and moves to Wisconsin. There she is drawn to his handsome brother (Robert Young) , even as she befriends the brother’s selfless wife (Margaret Sullavan, Crawford’s choice for the role). The passionate triangle plays out in the best tradition of classic screen melodrama, glossy and chic, but resonant with honest emotion, all under the expert direction of the great Frank Borzage. The film’s heart-stopping climax with Crawford battling flames to rescue Sullavan from certain death is both literally and figuratively, incendiary filmmaking.

They could do better with a more recent title, with Gable for instance ...this one is very short at under 80 minutes...there are far more successful M-G-M titles sitting, waiting in a long line like...a Woman's Face.