Blu-ray Review Don't Bother To Knock Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Josh Steinberg]

Josh Steinberg

Don't Bother To Knock Blu-ray Review

In this 1952 small scale drama about a babysitter who mistakes a fellow hotel occupant for her long-dead boyfriend, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark both deliver outstanding performances which emphasize fragility and compassion over melodrama and spectacle.

[review]

 

[Osato]

Thanks for the review Josh!!

 

[Josh Steinberg]

Thank you for reading!

The movie was a great surprise to me, in the best way. I haven't seen a ton of Richard Widmark films, but whenever I see him, I'm always impressed - and this was no exception. And Monroe really does disappear into the part, inasmuch as it's possible for Marilyn Monroe to disappear.

There's a great small detail about the hotel. There's live music in the hotel bar. Each hotel room has a speaker that the guest can use to tune in to the band downstairs. It was all super classy, and I want to stay at that hotel.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I loved Widmark in just about all of his films. A very underrated actor. I particularly enjoyed his "bad guy" roles. This is just a great looking disc so thanks for the review.

 

[genesim]

A really thoughtful review. I like the "real time" aspect. More importantly I appreciate that it is mentioned that the Mortal Goddess documentary has been cut considerably. I highly recommend seeking out the DVD which does have her pictured uncensored. It is one of the best documentaries on her that I have seen. Though I also push the John Huston Documentary the Legend of Marilyn Monroe. Both are very well put together. At least the Richard Widmark documentary is uncut.

 

[Blimpoy06]

I appreciate that it is mentioned that the Mortal Goddess documentary has been cut considerably. I highly recommend seeking out the DVD which does have her pictured uncensored. It is one of the best documentaries on her that I have seen.

Some internet research shows the full 91 minute DVD may be OOP. Prices are all over the place from under $20 to over $100 for a sealed copy.

 

[JohnMor]

You’ve convinced me to blind-buy this! Never a huge Monroe fan in general, but I loved her in Niagara and I have a feeling I will in this as well. Thanks for the review!

 

[genesim]

Some internet research shows the full 91 minute DVD may be OOP. Prices are all over the place from under $20 to over $100 for a sealed copy.

Sealed outlandish. Well worth seeking out regardless. Good quality. I was transferring my VHS copy from TV that had some added talk with Hugh Hefner, but in the end, I didn't think it was worth it. The DVD looks better (other than it having compressed sound vs the analog VHS). Thanks for posting the picture!

JohnMor,

I consider it on par with Niagara. Niagara gets the nod for being acting plus iconic, but Don't Bother to Knock has a sympathy feel and will make a casual fan into something more.

BUY IT!

 

[PMF]

Marilyn Monroe the icon, the image and the tragedy. For some, its enough to dismiss her as the actress. But over and over, as these films of hers continue to make their way into the BD market, the layers continue to be peeled back. Make no doubts; as I, too, was once one of the guilty naysayers within my younger years; as Marilyn Monroe was dead serious about the pursuits of her craft - and, to her credit, deceptively so. Marilyn Monroe was as much a creation as was The Little Tramp. Her personal struggles may have sadly overshadowed the rest. I fear that the rewards we have reaped within her persona and performances were never as equally enjoyed within the very being of her own living time.

My own appreciations for Marilyn Monroe began in 1987, during my period of training under the late Robert Lewis. For those not familiar, Mr. Lewis was a magnificent acting coach and, in 1947, became the co-founder of The Actor's Studio; along with Elia Kazan. Lee Strasberg was soon to follow. And not very long thereafter, so did Marilyn Monroe. Both professionally and socially, Mr. Lewis was a constant throughout Ms. Monroe's life. While under the tutelage of Robert Lewis, he sparingly shared with us a couple of Marilyn Monroe observations - not at all maudlin, but humane -which left one with both a respect and empathy for our Norman Jean.

Befittingly, Twilight Time's offering of "Don't Bother to Knock" was shot by Lucien Ballard of Peckinpah fame; so, who better than our "Limited to 3,000" friends to provide us with yet another example of a hidden gem; both before and behind the camera. Eagerly, I am looking forward to this first-time experience. My thanks, also, to Josh Steinberg; as his review has now only served to hasten my purchase.

 

[JohnMor]

JohnMor,

I consider it on par with Niagara. Niagara gets the nod for being acting plus iconic, but Don't Bother to Knock has a sympathy feel and will make a casual fan into something more.

BUY IT!

Am definitely buying.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I remember Widmark playing an unusual role, Prez of the US, and he was totally believable in the role. It was a TV movie based on a best selling book, The President’s Plane is Missing (I think). Widmark could play anything. Has he ever had a “stinker” role?

 

[AlanJ]

I remember Widmark playing an unusual role, Prez of the US, and he was totally believable in the role. It was a TV movie based on a best selling book, The President’s Plane is Missing (I think). Widmark could play anything. Has he ever had a “stinker” role?

That's a nice comment, Johnny; I have often thought exactly the same thing... even in his "minor" films, like "The Prize", ot "Time Limit" (a really under-rated film), you could always depend on Widmark: if he took the role, the film would be just that little bit out of the ordinary, and better than the average (Robert Ryan was another actor of whom the same thing could be said). And when it was an outstanding film -- Judgment at Nuremberg, for example -- then Widmark was always one of the best things in it. Stinker roles? Well, I recall, he was in an MGM Doris Day comedy called "The Tunnel of Love"; I recall that when it first came out, I thought it was probably the worst career decision since James Mason made "Forever Darling" (also an MGM "comedy").

 

[Garysb]

Youtube has the complete Monroe documentary.

https://youtu.be/rAMYY3OQljc

 

[Johnny Angell]

Stinker roles? Well, I recall, he was in an MGM Doris Day comedy called "The Tunnel of Love"; I recall that when it first came out, I thought it was probably the worst career decision since James Mason made "Forever Darling" (also an MGM "comedy").

I can’t imagine Widmark in a romantic comedy. Well, if you don’t try it, how do you know you can’t do it?

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I thought it was probably the worst career decision since James Mason made "Forever Darling" (also an MGM "comedy").

I liked Forever Darling!

It's not a great movie, but the premise is just so bizarre, and Lucy and Desi have such good screen chemistry, that I find it delightful. Weird for sure, but fun.

 

[Osato]

On sale for $15 at twilight time for the next few days!!!

 

[Osato]

https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/dont-bother-to-knock-blu-ray/

 

[Mark-P]

On sale for $15 at twilight time for the next few days!!!

Sale ends October 31st. 2 weeks is more than “a few days”

 

[Mike Frezon]

On sale for $15 at twilight time for the next few days!!!

I couldn't resist at that price.

And now reading Josh's review makes me confident that I've likely done the right thing.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

You’ve done good, Mike

Monroe gives a disarmingly vulnerable performance, Widmark’s performance is brilliantly layered, and the transfer is astonishingly beautiful.

I don’t think you’ll regret it.