- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,429
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
RKO's 1952 Angel Face, with Robert Mitchum and Jean Simmons in the leads in an odd entrant into the noir hall of fame.
Viewing it today, one might presume it to be a B production out of Howard Hughes' RKO, and in some ways it is, as the shoot was primarily at the studio with just a few locations around LA.
But one look at the credits, and you realize there's something sinister going on here.
Directed by Otto Preminger, who knew his way around noir, a score by Dimitri Tiomkin - ditto, and shot by Harry Stradling, Sr.
This is Not a B team.
The cast is supported by Mona Freeman, Herbert Marshall, Leon Ames and Barbara O'Neil.
What surprised me the most about the film, which I'd not seen in decades, was the quality of the cinematography, helped here by a meticulous harvest from the OCN and beautiful color work and clean-up. Kudos to all involved, as yet another perfect Warner Archive release has arrived.
Re the cinematography, I kept thinking how pleased I was that I was viewing a Blu-ray without an infusion of HDR, as it might have done damage to another perfect gray / black / white scale. And then there are the close-ups. I kept looking for tell-tale signs of a split diopter and found none.
One oddity, and I'll answer the question before it arises, is the Eddie Muller commentary, which is among the best I've encountered.
It's not a normal commentary track. The film is actually run a second time in SD with the image derived from the old fine grain release for DVD.
Two problems created this anomaly. First, there is no separate track for the commentary without film audio in the background. Add to that, the earlier transfer was based upon a FGM missing frames, so sync was also an issue.
Another glorious Warner Archive release of a great film noir ripe for re-discovery.
Image – 5
Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Worth your attention - 8
Slipcover rating - n/a
Highly Recommended
RAH
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.
Viewing it today, one might presume it to be a B production out of Howard Hughes' RKO, and in some ways it is, as the shoot was primarily at the studio with just a few locations around LA.
But one look at the credits, and you realize there's something sinister going on here.
Directed by Otto Preminger, who knew his way around noir, a score by Dimitri Tiomkin - ditto, and shot by Harry Stradling, Sr.
This is Not a B team.
The cast is supported by Mona Freeman, Herbert Marshall, Leon Ames and Barbara O'Neil.
What surprised me the most about the film, which I'd not seen in decades, was the quality of the cinematography, helped here by a meticulous harvest from the OCN and beautiful color work and clean-up. Kudos to all involved, as yet another perfect Warner Archive release has arrived.
Re the cinematography, I kept thinking how pleased I was that I was viewing a Blu-ray without an infusion of HDR, as it might have done damage to another perfect gray / black / white scale. And then there are the close-ups. I kept looking for tell-tale signs of a split diopter and found none.
One oddity, and I'll answer the question before it arises, is the Eddie Muller commentary, which is among the best I've encountered.
It's not a normal commentary track. The film is actually run a second time in SD with the image derived from the old fine grain release for DVD.
Two problems created this anomaly. First, there is no separate track for the commentary without film audio in the background. Add to that, the earlier transfer was based upon a FGM missing frames, so sync was also an issue.
Another glorious Warner Archive release of a great film noir ripe for re-discovery.
Image – 5
Audio – 5 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Worth your attention - 8
Slipcover rating - n/a
Highly Recommended
RAH
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.
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