6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A movie star, stranded in the country, trifles with a young man's affections.
Starring: Mae West, Warren William, Randolph Scott (I), Alice Brady, Lyle TalbotVideo codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of Mae West in Hollywood.
For a star who was perceived to be such a voluptuous female sex symbol, Mae West had, well, swagger. Just look at the way she
gallivants,
even
marauds, physically through
her scenes, walking almost like a prize fighter observing some prey she's just devastated. She frequently has a masculine mien in her gait, hands
on
hips almost threateningly, and with a kind of pugnacious attitude that nonetheless never completely masks a rather unexpectedly sweet and kind
aspect to many of her characters, even if those characters are just as apt to be tough as nails. Specifically in terms of West's memorable saunter, if
none of her
other unforgettable aspects, one of the commentaries included with this set calls West's distinctive stride a "shimmy" that West supposedly
overtly stated was culled from watching black women, though some may jokingly wonder if West was also watching black men for a few
pointers. What is
kind of fascinating about West's ineluctable allure in terms of behaviors and mannerisms, though, is how she manages to be slyly seductive and
ridiculously overheated almost
simultaneously, but it's
instructive to note that this layering of attitudes and demeanors, as well as "mere" physical presence, was part and parcel of West's own writing
and character building acumen, since it
seems only obvious that West was more than aware that she was putting on a show on any number of levels. West's proclivities as "another" kind
of
auteur, one who crafted a series of films that frequently were based on West's own ideas and/or writing, are rather prominently on
display in this handsome new(ish) set from Powerhouse Films' Indicator imprint, which aggregates
together ten features ranging from 1932 to 1943.
Go West Young Man is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Powerhouse Films' Indicator imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.35:1. The back cover of this release touts "2021 restorations of Go West Young Man and Every Day's a Holiday from 4K scans" (both features share the same disc). This is another generally appealing looking transfer that nonetheless needs to be appreciated within the context of an archival element which still shows noticeable signs of age related wear and tear. Detail levels are generally decent if never overwhelmingly amazing, and while often soft, the overall appearance here is nicely organic and bolstered by secure contrast and good black levels. Grain is relatively thick throughout, but resolves naturally. It can tend to look just a little clumpy on occasion against lighter backgrounds in particular.
Go West Young Man features LPCM Mono audio. As the films in this set get into the mid-thirties, there's a slight but noticeable uptick in audio quality. Things can still sound pretty boxy and flat, without a ton of dynamic range, but there's a bit more vibrancy here than in some of the earlier films. Music sounds reasonably full bodied, and all dialogue is delivered cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.
Powerhouse Films has packaged this release with both Go West Young Man and Every Day's a Holiday sharing a disc. The following is a complete listing of supplements on the disc:
After a run of films that saw West mostly in late 19th century settings, it's kind of fun to see her "updated" here, and it's especially fun to see her playing a slightly different version of her patented character. This has one of the more boisterous supporting casts in the films offered in this set, and both Randolph Scott and Lyle Talbot provide good opportunities for some of the famous West one liners and other bantering comments. Technical merits are generally pleasing with an understanding of some inherent limitations in the element utilized. Nora Fiore's commentary and the featurette by Christina Newland are both interesting and worthwhile. With caveats noted, Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1935
1937
1936
1934
Birds of a Feather
1978
1943
Eureka Classics
1964
1940
1972
Masters of Cinema
1924
Limited Edition
2017
Masters of Cinema
1920
1917
1916
1978
BFI Flipside
1979
1927
1916
1929
Indicator Series
1972