Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Fast and Loose Blu-ray Movie Review

An entertaining gem with a strong performance by Carole Lombard.

Fast and Loose is an entertaining pre-code romantic comedy with plenty of charm throughout the production. Fans of classic comedies will find a lot to enjoy in this under-the-radar gem. Featuring a strong supporting performance from the great Carole Lombard, fans of the actress won't want to miss it. Check it out.

Marion (Mariam Hopkins) and Bertie (Henry Wadsworth) are the children of one of the most successful businessmen from Long Island, uber wealthy Bronson Lenox (Frank Morgan). Determined to break away from her wealthy and privileged aristocratic lifestyle, Marion finds happiness with a simple but affectionate car mechanic, Henry Morgan (Charles Starrett). Love blossoms.

Meanwhile, Bertie decides to start a relationship with the drop-dead-gorgeous chorus girl Alice O'Neil (Carole Lombard). Yet these new romantic relationships are to the chagrin of their father, who doesn't want his children to wed those outside of their social circle and economic standing. Can Marion and Bertie overcome their social standings and find true happiness with the loves of their lives? Comedy (and romance) ensues.

The performances in Fast and Loose are uniformly excellent from the entire cast. A supporting role, Carole Lombard stuns as Alice O'Neil. The role was perfect for her: showcasing her beauty and remarkable talents. The performance certainly is a stand-out one in a strong ensemble cast. Fans won't want to miss it.

The great Carole Lombard.

The cinematography by William O. Steiner (The Secret of the Pueblo, South of Northern Lights) is one of the highlights. The black-and-white cinematography is effective and impressive. The film looks as lovely as one would expect for a classic comedy. The visuals are certainly a key element to the film production and its success.

The costumes by Travis Banton (Shanghai Express, The Paradine Case) are another striking element. The costumes for Carole Lombard are particularly impressive and well-suited for the actress. The efforts of Banton excel and each actor in the film is donned with character- appropriate attire.

The screenplay by Doris Anderson (King of Gamblers, True to the Navy) is entertaining – and features extra dialogue by Preston Sturges (Unfaithfully Yours, The Great McGinty). Easily one of the best elements of Fast and Loose is how “fast and loose” the dialogue is (pun intended). The script has great fun with the concept and the performers. Not only is the dialogue witty and charming, the story is well paced.

Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer (Lost in the Legion, Secrets of Chinatown), Fast and Loose is an entertaining comedy. The film has plenty of romance in store for fans of the genre. The production has impressive attributes and the performances are strong. Newmeyer did well in assembling the film and its myriad of components. Fans of classic comedies should take a look. Certainly well worth exploration for the performance by Carole Lombard alone, but the effective direction by Newmeyer is another key component to the success of Fast and Loose.

Fast and Loose Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Fast and Loose is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 full frame. The presentation is pleasing overall and showcase a print that is exceptionally sharp. The condition of the print is quite satisfying. Despite occasional dirt, slight scratches, and minor burn marks in one scene, the print is generally efficient. The occasional thin scratches are the biggest draw-back but these elements are far from detrimental to the overall presentation quality. The scan holds up well and showcases the remarkable black and white cinematography as intended.

Fast and Loose Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. The lossless audio is a bit inconsistent throughout the feature-film presentation. The audio sounds a little thin and certain segments of the presentation are slightly muffled. Even despite these particular drawbacks, dialogue is nonetheless clear enough to understand. The audio track has no issues with regards to egregious hiss or crackle. A decent (if flawed) audio track.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

Fast and Loose Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Supernatural (SD, 2:04), Nothing Sacred (HD, 2:06), and Made For Each Other (HD, 2:06).

Fast and Loose Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Fast and Loose is an engaging and exciting romantic-comedy classic with plenty of surprises in store for audiences. The production is well mounted and has a number of effective components. Carole Lombard is stunning in her supporting role – radiating beauty and grace at each turn. Fans of the beloved actress won't want to miss this performance. Highly recommended.