6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Former dance hall queen Cleo Borden, newly rich, falls for and pursues an upper-crust Englishman.
Starring: Mae West, Paul Cavanagh, Gilbert Emery, Marjorie Gateson, Tito CoralMusical | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (A, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
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.
Goin to Town 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 states this is a "2018 restoration. . .from a 4K scan". As I've mentioned in several other reviews of films in the Mae West set, it's probably best to at least somewhat temper expectations that typically accompany the phrase "4K scan", since this is another element that shows definite signs of age related wear and tear, though usually in the form of relatively minor scratches. There's also a prevalent softness to the imagery quite a bit of the time, though detail levels on things like a lacy collar West wears can be quite inviting. Contrast and black levels are solid throughout the presentation. Grain can be pretty thick and even a tad "dirty" looking, but resolves a good deal more tightly than on some of the earlier films in this set.
Goin' to Town features a decent sounding LPCM Mono track. Like many of the other audio presentations in this set, there's an undeniable boxiness, with some background hiss and not a ton of dynamic range, but both dialogue and music are supported well enough. There's no outright damage in the form of dropouts. Optional English subtitles are available.
Powerhouse Films has packaged this release with both Goin' to Town and Klondike Annie sharing a disc. The following is a complete listing of supplements on the disc:
Goin' to Town is probably a bit of a step up from Belle of the Nineties, but that may be damning with faint praise. West is a lot of fun, and there's some comedy here that finds its target. Technical merits are appealing within the context of an aged element, and the supplements are also enjoyable, for those who may be considering making a purchase.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1929
1934
1936
1943
2019
1940
1937
1936
Masters of Cinema
1920
1985
Los amantes pasajeros
2013
Arrow Academy
2016
Birds of a Feather
1978
Masters of Cinema
1943
1931
1936
Arrow Academy
1971
2009
1933
2007