Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Daddy Long Legs Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 16, 2016

Most movies don’t blink when creating a romantic pairing between an older man and a younger woman. 1955’s “Daddy Long Legs” actually has the bravery to call itself out on the practice, with the screenplay identifying the uneasy union between characters played by Fred Astaire (then 56 years old) and Leslie Caron (24 years old), who embark on a strange relationship that begins with financial charity and concludes as something more heartfelt. A gorgeously widescreen musical, “Daddy Long Legs” smartly calls out it most problematic element, helping to relax the picture as it spotlights song and dance.

Spirit is expected of “Daddy Long Legs,” and director Jean Negulesco (“How to Marry a Millionaire”) delivers plenty of fast feet and happy hands as Astaire and Caron tackle multiple musical numbers, mixing dance trends and tradition (there’s a pronounced ballet influence on the film) to further the story along. There’s a tale of guardianship to manage, which evolves into googly eyes, but the production plays it sharp and swift, injecting comedy and music wherever it can, diluting the strangeness of the pairing. Also helping are beaming performances from the leads, with Astaire beyond comfortable here, making a fine partner for Caron and her well-honed projection of innocence.

Daddy Long Legs Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings the exceptionally wide CinemaScope look to home theaters, and "Daddy Long Legs" looks respectfully preserved. With such lavish tech achievements to examine, detail holds true, with enough sharpness to pick out fabrics and facial detail, while distances are communicative. Colors keep their period look, offering bright primaries and skintones, with decorative reds and blue eyes striking. Delineation is secure. Source is in strong shape, without overt points of damage.

Daddy Long Legs Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track doesn't reveal its age, handling the extremes of "Daddy Long Legs" with comfort and clarity. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, remaining intelligible as comedic speeds and accents are encountered. Scoring is big and bright, with satisfying instrumentation, and songs share the same emphasis. Atmospherics are adequate, showing life with party sequences.

Daddy Long Legs Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Ken Barnes and Fred Astaire's daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie.

• "Hollywood and New York Premiere" (1:47, SD) is a newsreel clip that celebrates the star-studded debut for "Daddy Long Legs," also featuring a clearly irritated Ava Astaire McKenzie, who joined her father on the red carpet. Commentary feature Barnes and Astaire McKenzie.

• "London Premiere" (4:26, SD) covers festivities on the other side of the Atlantic, with Leslie Caron assuming publicity duties. Commentary features Barnes and Astaire McKenzie.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (2:42, SD) and Theatrical Trailer #2 (2:14, SD) are included.

Daddy Long Legs Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While dramatics aren't riveting, the rest of "Daddy Long Legs" is, boasting incredible technical credits that generate eye-popping sets and costumes, keeping the feature an ongoing special effect, benefiting wildly from CinemaScope framing. It's a beautiful picture, and while sections of the story are a little cold to the touch, "Daddy Long Legs" comes together with cinematic bigness and physical accomplishment, doing enough to entertain and amaze to help forget the age difference.