Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Daisy Kenyon Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 18, 2016

As melodramas go from the 1940s, “Daisy Kenyon” has the advantage of a sharp cast and a surprisingly authentic handling of marital and relationship woes. An adaptation of Elizabeth Janeway’s novel, the picture offers director Otto Preminger a chance to toy with the conventions of a traditional love triangle. However, instead of giving in to syrup, the helmer (along with screenwriter David Hertz) maintain a slightly acidic tone to the feature, treating the confusion, hysteria, and growing bitterness with the authenticity it deserves before returning to formulaic events.

Joan Crawford and Dana Andrews star as troubled lovers, but it’s Henry Fonda who comes off with the deepest sense of humanity here, portraying a rattled war vet processing his attraction to Crawford’s Daisy, a working woman caught between men. “Daisy Kenyon” is not a subtle feature, but it does have candor and a few eye-raising scenes of confession, with the production working to keep maudlin interests on the sidelines long enough to help generate dimensional characterizations. Perhaps it’s never engrossing, but “Daisy Kenyon” is interesting, especially when it dices up gender clichés and romantic entanglements.

Daisy Kenyon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't feature a problematic source, but wear and tear is visible throughout the viewing experience. Scratches are on view, wavering in intensity, and some fade comes through periodically, leading to milkier black levels. Detail goes about as it can go here, with Crawford's glamour lighting hilariously extreme at times, softening the frame to erase aging. Still, certain shots keep their texture, and the male leads are more open for inspection, including facial responses and thick costuming. Grain is fine and filmic.

Daisy Kenyon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD MA sound mix is limited, but it finds a comfortable level of engagement, leading with dialogue exchanges that always keep emotional surges in control, while hushed encounters aren't lost. Scoring cues sound big, supporting melodramatic intent, preserving instrumentation. Atmospherics are basic but present. Mild hiss is detected.

Daisy Kenyon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film noir historian Foster Hirsch.

• "From Journeyman to Artist: Otto Preminger at Fox" (21:18, SD) collects film experts to discuss the famed moviemaker's rise to power, tracking his privileged youth to early years in Hollywood, where his relationship with studio mogul Darryl F. Zanuck soured due to his toxic, and well-documented, temper. Anecdotes are shared and professional triumphs, including 1944's "Laura," are celebrated.

• "Life in the Shadows: The Making of 'Daisy Kenyon'" (16:12, SD) recounts the troubled production, which went through casting difficulties before settling on Crawford, who brought with her a list of demands, while Andrews and Fonda simply worked on the project to satisfy contractual obligations. Talk of on-set hostilities and romances are offered, along with Crawford and Preminger's notorious behavioral issues.

• Animated Image Montage (8:15) collects publicity materials and BTS photos.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:45, SD) is included.

Daisy Kenyon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Daisy Kenyon" ends up in a courtroom in its third act, which applies the brakes on an already leisurely story of confused feelings. It's an unnecessary detour, but performances keep the material alert, riding the line between sudsy declarations of need and more realistic expectations of others. Perhaps Preminger is dealing with studio and audience demands for a fluffier viewing experience, but he manages to sneak some honesty into the effort.