.
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Starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne at their brightest and best, MY
FAVORITE WIFE ($20) is indeed a great comic gem (screwball or
otherwise) from the golden age of Hollywood. MY FAVORITE WIFE
builds one hilarious moment on top of another, via a scenario that could
only spring from the mind of a writer. The film opens with attorney Nick
Arden (Grant) bringing a motion before the court to have his wife, who was
lost at sea seven years ago, declared legally dead. No sooner does the
court grant Nick’s request does he marry his fiancée Bianca (Gail
Patrick).
Of
course, this would be the day that the recently rescued Ellen Arden
(Dunne) returns home to learn that her husband is now off on his
honeymoon. Discovering Nick’s whereabouts, Ellen sets off to inform her
husband that she is very much alive. As you might expect, Nick is still in
love with Ellen and is delighted to learn that she is still alive-
however, he just doesn’t seem to have enough nerve to inform his new
bride Bianca of the unforeseen complication to their recent nuptials. If
Bianca wasn’t a big enough comic obstacle to prevent Ellen and Nick from
returning to wedded bliss, there is also the issue of a handsome gentleman
named Burkett (Randolph Scott), with whom Ellen spent seven years alone on
a deserted island. The cast of MY FAVORITE WIFE also features Ann
Shoemaker, Scotty Beckett, Mary Lou Harrington, Donald MacBride, Hugh
O'Connell, Granville Bates and Pedro de Cordoba.
Warner
Home Video has made MY FAVORITE WIFE available on DVD in a truly
fine looking black and white transfer that frames the film in its proper
1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. The image appears pretty sharp and nicely
defined- generally outclassing any home presentation that has preceded it.
There is the occasional shot that appears soft, and there is a tendency in
Hollywood glamour cinematography of the period to apply diffusion lenses
on some of the leading lady’s close-ups, but otherwise, it all looks
great for a sixty-plus year old film. Blacks appear inky, while the whites
are completely stable. Contrast is very smooth, plus the grayscale is
nicely varied. The film elements used for the transfer are in relatively
good shape for a vintage film that hasn’t undergone any form of major
restoration. There are some blemishes and mild scratches, but nothing that
would distract one from their enjoyment of this classic comedy.
Additionally, there is a noticeable grain structure for much of the
proceedings, but it isn’t excessive. Digital compression artifacts are
always well contained.
For
this release, MY FAVORITE WIFE comes with a very solid Dolby
Digital monaural soundtrack. Most of the age related background hiss and
other audible anomalies have been cleaned up in the mastering process,
leaving the track with a very respectable sonic quality at normal
listening levels. Fidelity is a bit truncated, but the music gets by
without any appreciable distortions. Dialogue is well reproduced and
maintains complete intelligibility. No other language tracks are provided,
but English, French and Spanish subtitles have been included on the
DVD. Music underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one
access to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a
few extras. The 1950 Screen Director's Playhouse radio production of MY
FAVORITE WIFE featuring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne is provided on the
DVD, as is a the comic short Home Movies that features
Robert Benchley. Filling out the extras is a theatrical trailer MY
FAVORITE WIFE.
.MY
FAVORITE WIFE is an absolute comic gem that has been given a truly
fine presentation on DVD by the folks at Warner Home Video. If you are a
movie buff, fan of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, or just love to laugh, then
MY FAVORITE WIFE is a DVD you will want to check acquire.
Recommended.
.
Of
course, this would be the day that the recently rescued Ellen Arden
(Dunne) returns home to learn that her husband is now off on his
honeymoon. Discovering Nick’s whereabouts, Ellen sets off to inform her
husband that she is very much alive. As you might expect, Nick is still in
love with Ellen and is delighted to learn that she is still alive-
however, he just doesn’t seem to have enough nerve to inform his new
bride Bianca of the unforeseen complication to their recent nuptials. If
Bianca wasn’t a big enough comic obstacle to prevent Ellen and Nick from
returning to wedded bliss, there is also the issue of a handsome gentleman
named Burkett (Randolph Scott), with whom Ellen spent seven years alone on
a deserted island. The cast of MY FAVORITE WIFE also features Ann
Shoemaker, Scotty Beckett, Mary Lou Harrington, Donald MacBride, Hugh
O'Connell, Granville Bates and Pedro de Cordoba.
Warner
Home Video has made MY FAVORITE WIFE available on DVD in a truly
fine looking black and white transfer that frames the film in its proper
1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. The image appears pretty sharp and nicely
defined- generally outclassing any home presentation that has preceded it.
There is the occasional shot that appears soft, and there is a tendency in
Hollywood glamour cinematography of the period to apply diffusion lenses
on some of the leading lady’s close-ups, but otherwise, it all looks
great for a sixty-plus year old film. Blacks appear inky, while the whites
are completely stable. Contrast is very smooth, plus the grayscale is
nicely varied. The film elements used for the transfer are in relatively
good shape for a vintage film that hasn’t undergone any form of major
restoration. There are some blemishes and mild scratches, but nothing that
would distract one from their enjoyment of this classic comedy.
Additionally, there is a noticeable grain structure for much of the
proceedings, but it isn’t excessive. Digital compression artifacts are
always well contained.
For
this release, MY FAVORITE WIFE comes with a very solid Dolby
Digital monaural soundtrack. Most of the age related background hiss and
other audible anomalies have been cleaned up in the mastering process,
leaving the track with a very respectable sonic quality at normal
listening levels. Fidelity is a bit truncated, but the music gets by
without any appreciable distortions. Dialogue is well reproduced and
maintains complete intelligibility. No other language tracks are provided,
but English, French and Spanish subtitles have been included on the
DVD. Music underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one
access to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a
few extras. The 1950 Screen Director's Playhouse radio production of MY
FAVORITE WIFE featuring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne is provided on the
DVD, as is a the comic short Home Movies that features
Robert Benchley. Filling out the extras is a theatrical trailer MY
FAVORITE WIFE.
MY
FAVORITE WIFE is an absolute comic gem that has been given a truly
fine presentation on DVD by the folks at Warner Home Video. If you are a
movie buff, fan of Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, or just love to laugh, then
MY FAVORITE WIFE is a DVD you will want to check acquire.
Recommended.