1942’s
ROXIE HART ($15) is adapted from the same source material that
would inspire 2002’s Academy Award winning Best Picture CHICAGO,
although this version of the story gets a light coat of whitewash too
appease the censors of the time, as well as playing up the screwball
comedy elements. Ginger Rogers delivers one of her best non-musical
performances as the publicity seeking Roxie, who goes along with a
reporter’s harebrained scheme to portray her a murderess in the
newspapers, as a means of furthering her dancing career. Adolphe Menjou is
wonderful as Billy Flynn, the over-the-top defense attorney, who has a
proven track record of getting acquittals for accused murderesses. ROXIE
HART has a hilariously cynical attitude towards the workings of press
and the judicial system; neither of which seems significantly changed in
the sixty-plus years since this film went before the cameras. The cast of ROXIE
HART also features George Montgomery, Lynne Overman, Nigel Bruce, Phil
Silvers, Sara Allgood, William Frawley, Spring Byington, Ted North, Iris
Adrian and George Chandler.
20th
Century Home Entertainment has made ROXIE HART available on DVD in
a very nice 1.37:1 black and white presentation, which is representative
of the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio. The film element used
for the transfer is in excellent condition for its age, appearing very
clean and well preserved- a couple of errant shots seem just a bit dupey,
but otherwise, it’s completely marvelous. There is a bit of grain that
is noticeable through the presentation, although it creates a rather film
like quality for the DVD. The image is generally sharp and rather nicely
defined, although close ups of the film’s leading lady take on that
slightly diffuse look of glamour photography. Blacks are inky, whites are
crisp and contrast is usually quite good. Digital compression artifacts
are never a cause for concern.
ROXIE
HART comes with English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural and stereo
soundtrack options. The pseudo-stereo version gives a nicer spread to the
sound, but otherwise offers little difference from the monaural version.
Most of the background hiss and surface noise have been cleaned up in the
mastering process, leaving a clean and smooth quality to both tracks.
Fidelity has the expected limitations, but the sound is never harsh or
tinny. Dialogue is crisp and always completely understandable. No other
language tracks are provided, although English subtitles have been
included. The basic interactive menus allow one access to the standard
scene selection and set up features, as well as two versions of the film’s
theatrical trailer, plus bonus trailers.
ROXIE
HART is a whole heck of a lot of fun and features a great comic
performance from Ginger Rogers. Fox has done a fine job with the film’s
presentation on DVD, and the disc comes at a bargain price. If you are a
fan of CHICAGO, ROXIE HART is definitely a film to check out
on DVD. Recommended.
1942’s
ROXIE HART ($15) is adapted from the same source material that
would inspire 2002’s Academy Award winning Best Picture CHICAGO,
although this version of the story gets a light coat of whitewash too
appease the censors of the time, as well as playing up the screwball
comedy elements. Ginger Rogers delivers one of her best non-musical
performances as the publicity seeking Roxie, who goes along with a
reporter’s harebrained scheme to portray her a murderess in the
newspapers, as a means of furthering her dancing career. Adolphe Menjou is
wonderful as Billy Flynn, the over-the-top defense attorney, who has a
proven track record of getting acquittals for accused murderesses. ROXIE
HART has a hilariously cynical attitude towards the workings of press
and the judicial system; neither of which seems significantly changed in
the sixty-plus years since this film went before the cameras. The cast of ROXIE
HART also features George Montgomery, Lynne Overman, Nigel Bruce, Phil
Silvers, Sara Allgood, William Frawley, Spring Byington, Ted North, Iris
Adrian and George Chandler.
20th
Century Home Entertainment has made ROXIE HART available on DVD in
a very nice 1.37:1 black and white presentation, which is representative
of the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio. The film element used
for the transfer is in excellent condition for its age, appearing very
clean and well preserved- a couple of errant shots seem just a bit dupey,
but otherwise, it’s completely marvelous. There is a bit of grain that
is noticeable through the presentation, although it creates a rather film
like quality for the DVD. The image is generally sharp and rather nicely
defined, although close ups of the film’s leading lady take on that
slightly diffuse look of glamour photography. Blacks are inky, whites are
crisp and contrast is usually quite good. Digital compression artifacts
are never a cause for concern.
ROXIE
HART comes with English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural and stereo
soundtrack options. The pseudo-stereo version gives a nicer spread to the
sound, but otherwise offers little difference from the monaural version.
Most of the background hiss and surface noise have been cleaned up in the
mastering process, leaving a clean and smooth quality to both tracks.
Fidelity has the expected limitations, but the sound is never harsh or
tinny. Dialogue is crisp and always completely understandable. No other
language tracks are provided, although English subtitles have been
included. The basic interactive menus allow one access to the standard
scene selection and set up features, as well as two versions of the film’s
theatrical trailer, plus bonus trailers.
ROXIE
HART is a whole heck of a lot of fun and features a great comic
performance from Ginger Rogers. Fox has done a fine job with the film’s
presentation on DVD, and the disc comes at a bargain price. If you are a
fan of CHICAGO, ROXIE HART is definitely a film to check out
on DVD. Recommended.