Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Black Friday Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 25, 2019

For their final movie together at Universal Pictures, stars Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi barely share any screen time in 1940’s “Black Friday,” which features the men prominently billed, while the actual lead role is handed to Stanley Ridges. It’s a strange situation of expectations not being met with the picture, which promises to present something more substantial with the Karloff and Lugosi, fitting them for a gangster effort with mild macabre happenings. It’s weird science yet again for the duo, but the screenplay isn’t very interested in Lugosi, who struggles with a lesser role in a minor film, with Karloff supplied with more screen time to showcase his range, portraying a doctor who’s managed to stuff part of a criminal’s mind into his best friend’s dying body.

Mercifully, “Black Friday” doesn’t attempt to sell the brain-swapping premise as science, using the loopy plot to organize some criminal antics with Ridges, who portrays a college professor forced to deal with the mind of a gangster in possession of knowledge concerning a hidden fortune. The chase is on as old partners (including Lugosi) try to find their man, but “Black Friday” isn’t a nail-biter with loads of chases. The material is more interested in duality, keeping murders coming as old habits die hard inside a new body, keeping pace slack as it tends to personal relationships and the lust for medical breakthroughs.

Black Friday Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Black Friday" (AVC encoded, 1.37:1 aspect ratio) lives up to its title with dark cinematography, employing shadows and nighttime events to encourage a suspenseful mood the material doesn't otherwise earn. The "New 2K scan of the original film elements" is acceptable, providing a view of characters and locations. Facial surfaces are enjoyable, surveying plenty of pained looks and the pleasingly strange details of Ridges's transformation between good and evil. Costuming is also satisfactory, with emphasis on suits and evening wear, which preserves fibrous qualities. Delineation struggles some with crush issues. Grain is film- like. Source showcases some wear and tear, with scratches and speckling common.

Black Friday Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix encounters a heavier presence of hiss, while pops and mild crackling is also detected. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, securing performance nuance and angry outbursts, also pinpointing the vocal changes in Ridges's work. Scoring isn't deep, remaining supportive to the tone of the feature without truly carrying it. Still, instrumentation is there. Atmospherics are slight. Sound effects deliver some snap with gunshots.

Black Friday Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Constantine Nasr.

• "A Good Game: Karloff and Lugosi at Universal: Part 4 – 'Black Friday'" (17:04, HD) features authors Gary D. Rhodes and Gregory William Mank, who dissect the final collaboration of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi for Universal Pictures, trying to capitalize on the unexpected success of "Son of Frankenstein." With Karloff in control due to professional highs, the actor made a last-minute move to pull out of the lead role, giving Stanley Ridges a shot at the part, while Lugosi was demoted to "third banana," leaving him with little to do. The interviewees are sure this wasn't a vindictive move, with Lugosi subjecting himself to a hypnotism hoax to help attract some publicity. Once again, the personal relationship between the iconic thespians is inspected, with Karloff enjoying a substantial amount of career luck, making a fortune, while Lugosi watched his professional opportunities fade fast.

• "Inner Sanctum Mystery Radio Hour" (26:45) presents a performance of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Boris Karloff.

• Still Gallery (8:47) collects film stills, BTS snaps, publicity shots, poster art, lobby cards, and newspaper ads.

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:55, SD) is included.

Black Friday Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The MVP of "Black Friday" is Ridges, who's gifted a primo role that challenges him to play two distinct characters in the picture, and he pulls it off beautifully, capturing the stuffiness of an educator and the violent ooze of a gangster. Karloff has his moments as well, especially when panic rises in the second half of the feature. Lugosi has less to do, but he tries to make his moments count. If Universal wanted to use the men to sell the movie, it would've been nice for Karloff and Lugosi to actually share the frame on more than a few occasions. Instead, top billing is a misdirection, and one that leads to a somewhat lethargic endeavor with a knockout lead performance.