Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 8, 2021

Gordon Douglas' "Between Midnight and Dawn" (1950) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with critic Kim Newman; new audio commentary recorded by entertainment journalist and critic Bryan Reesman; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Immediately after I finished viewing Gordon Douglas’ film Between Midnight and Dawn, my impression was that it was not terribly convincing because it mixes comedy and drama in a rather awkward way. It felt like screenwriter Eugene Ling’s adaptation of Leo Katcher and Gerald Drayson Adams’ original story was unable to give the film a proper identity, and that Douglas must have done what he could to make it appear coherent. But I have changed my mind now because I think that the abrupt shift in tone that occurs towards the middle and all of the developments after it are actually why the film ought to be taken seriously.

The story is quite simple. Police officers Dan Purvis (Edmond O’Brien) and Rocky Barnes (Mark Stevens) are patrolling the streets of an unnamed metropolis. (It is pretty easy to figure out that they are in New York City, but the film never identifies the place). They never refuse a call, but both are pragmatists with a very clear understanding of when it is okay to take risks and when it isn’t. Both are single as well, and very interested in going out on a date with the beautiful dispatcher Kate Mallory (Gale Storm), who isn’t looking to be in a romantic relationship but does not mind their advances. So, at the right time the three agree to go out and have a good time in one of the city’s popular night clubs. The plan works as intended until Dan confronts the club’s manager, Ritchie Garris (Donald Buka), an overconfident and very nasty character who has been on his radar for a long time. They have a short argument, where both tell each other how they really feel, and then part ways, with Dan vowing to get Ritchie off the streets as soon as the right opportunity comes along. However, a few days later a couple of Ritchie’s boys ambush Dan and Rocky’s police car and in the ensuing shootout the latter gets hit multiple times. Later on, he dies in a local hospital, with Kate crying next to his bed and Dan promising to finish off Ritchie.

You can probably guess where the film is heading after that. Dan goes on the warpath and it does not take long before he and Ritchie clash. But even though the progression of the story is easy to figure out, there are actually some quite unpredictable undertones that are part of it.

The most interesting one is linked to the manner in which the film goes into the very dark territory where Dan seeks justice. It happens so abruptly that it actually feels like it was done to save the integrity of the film, which before Rocky’s murder looks almost like a romantic comedy about two bachelor cops who are competing for the honor of marrying the perfect girl. Then there is the willingness of the film to highlight the fact that irreparable damage is done on both sides. It isn’t done to humanize Ritchie’s behavior, but to recognize the inevitable chain reaction of deaths on the other side as well. It is a surprisingly sobering recognition because in these post-war crime films there is usually a pretty clear line that separates the good from the bad guys.

It is easy to tell that this film was done with a modest budget and likely edited very quickly, but as odd as it may sound its unevenness and roughness are what make it attractive. There are a lot of gritty ‘70s crime dramas that were intentionally shot like it. Why? Because it is well-established that the transition from the normal environment where the cops perform their duties to the dark territory where the mayhem occurs is pretty much as documented here -- it is very fast, irrational, and violent. The big and famous buddy cop films that are full of laughter and exciting adventures are nothing more than cinematic fantasies whose one and only objective is to entertain for a fixed period of time.

Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Between Midnight and Dawn arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The master that was used to source this release is old but very, very good. To be honest, I don't think that there is any room for substantial improvements. Yes, density levels can be slightly better, some shadow nuances can be a tad more convincing, and there are a few white specks that could have been removed, but the rest is rock-solid. Delineation and depth for instance range from very good to excellent, while fluidity is extremely close to where I think it needs to be given the age of the film. The grayscale is convincing as well, though as mentioned earlier some of the blacks could appear slightly thicker at times. There are no traces of problematic digital adjustments. Image stability is very good. All in all, this is an extremely pleasing organic presentation that makes it very easy to enjoy the film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any technical issues to report in our review. The audio is very clear, clean, and stable. It has a good range of dynamic nuances as well. If there ever were any age-related anomalies, it is impossible to tell now. But all of this isn't surprising because even during the DVD era the folks at Sony Pictures always made sure that their masters looked and sounded as best as possible.

Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Categorically Dependable: Kim Newman on Gordon Douglas - in this new program, critic Kim Newman discusses the career and cinematic style of Gordon Douglas, as well as the conception and qualities of Between Midnight and Dawn. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Between Midnight and Dawn. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Image Gallery - a gallery of vintage promotional materials for Between Midnight and Dawn.

• Commentary - an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by entertainment journalist and critic Bryan Reesman.

• Dizzy Detectives - a short film about the three stooges produced and directed by Jules White in 1943. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. (19 min).

• Book - limited edition exclusive 120-page book with new essays by Peter Stanfield, David Cairns, Michał Oleszczyk, Adam Scovell, Fintan McDonagh, Andrew Nette, Jeff Billington, and Ramsey Campbell, archival articles and interviews, and film credits.

Between Midnight and Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Real police drama actually happens exactly as it is depicted in Gordon Douglas' Between Midnight and Dawn. It is abrupt and chaotic, often with seriously unpredictable ripple effects. I like this film but would have preferred to see a slightly more reserved Edmond O'Brien because in the second half his emotions become a tad too dramatic. The release we have reviewed here is sourced from an older but very solid master which was supplied by Sony Pictures. It is included in Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Columbia Noir #3 box set. RECOMMENDED.