Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

American Madness Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown December 8, 2024

Re-releasing on Blu-ray via the Frank Capra at Columbia Collection is the director's 1932 American Madness, a drama starring Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien, Kay Johnson, Constance Cummings, Gavin Gordon and Arthur Hoyt. This latest version delivers a new video presentation and lossless mono track (neither one, unfortunately, a substantive improvement to the 2020 Blu-ray), along with a new exclusive commentary and all previously released extras.

1932. The Depression. The Board of Directors of a bank merge with New York Trust and resign. Head Teller Thomas A. Dickson (Walter Huston) refuses. One night, Dickson's bank is robbed of $100,000. The suspect is Matt Brown (Pat O'Brien), an ex-convict whom Dickson was warned about but still hired and appointed Chief Teller. Brown, who's very loyal to Dickson, refuses to say where he was on the night in question but actually has two witnesses for his alibi: Thomas's wife Phyllis Dickson (Kay Johnson) and fellow worker Cyril Cluett (Gavin Gordon). Brown, though, is hiding a tortuous secret in an effort to protect Dickson from finding out that Mrs. Dickson was with Cluett; and for a romantic evening. Cluett, who has a $50,000 gambling debt, is actually responsible for the robbery but allows Brown to take the rap. Will the true culprit be found out? Will Brown's loyalty to Mr. Dickson pay off? Or will it send him back to prison?

Click here to read Jeffrey Kauffman's astute analysis of the film, which he calls "fascinating early Capra." Comparing it with It's a Wonderful Life, he writes "the latter Capra film carefully molds its characterization out of vignettes documenting the sum total of George's life, so that there is an almost unavoidable (and no doubt intentional) connection between him and the viewer. In American Madness, though, there's arguably considerably less of an emotional hook with regard to Dickson, even if he's going through untold tribulations himself, and in fact in some ways it's Matt's story that offers the most impact."

American Madness Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Like The Bitter Tea of General Yen (with which it shares a BD-50), American Madness features a 1.37:1 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that, while more faithful to its source than its 2020 1.33:1 standalone release, is likely minted from the same 4K DCP master. The results are generally very good and only marred by a few intermittent blemishes. Detail is nicely resolved here, as is grain. Textures are reproduced in precise fashion, even though the film is softer than modern audiences will expect. The black and white photography is striking too, with plenty of black depth, midtone gray smoothness, and bright, white crispness. I'd even go so far as to call contrast leveling perfect, were it not for some of the same minor and infrequent black crush Kauffman notes in his earlier review. There are also a number of shots that don't fare as well as the rest, appearing worn, as if damage to the original negative proved too difficult to eliminate without more expensive alterations and digital tinkering. Easily dismissed specks pop up as well, but never take a significant toll. The transfer is altogether attractive and sure to excite fans of the film.

American Madness Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

American Madness offers a decidedly decent, though imperfect DTS-HD Master Audio mono mix. Time and a lack of a complete ground-up overhaul has left some air hiss in the soundscape, not to mention a more shallow tenor that might sound "off" to the modern ear, even if only in part. Dialogue at least remains intelligible at all times and neatly prioritized, with effects and music doing a fine job rounding out the experience. It sounds a bit too dated, but in a quaint, almost enjoyable way, making for a solid overall presentation.

American Madness Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This edition of American Madness features one exclusive extra: an Audio Commentary with film historian Steven C. Smith and author Victoria Riskin. The disc also includes two previously released extras: an audio commentary with Frank Capra Jr. and author Catherine Kellison, and a featurette titled "Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... American Madness."

American Madness Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

American Madness is a neat little whodunnit that gives away its "who" early and focuses more on the moral ravages of its accused man. It's a tight and clever setup with an expected payoff, though it spends too much time with Dickson rather than the man who warrants more attention: Matt. Sony's Blu-ray offers a solid AV presentation, despite largely resembling its 2020 predecessor. A newly recorded commentary is welcome, along with all the other extras Sony had issued previously.