Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Hands Across the Table Blu-ray Movie Review

An impressive performance by Carole Lombard.

Hands Across the Table is an entertaining Hollywood classic featuring the great Carole Lombard. The film is based on the story by Vina Delmar. Produced by E. Lloyd Sheldon (Beyond the Blue Horizon, International Lady) and executive produced by Henry Herzbrun (Sky Parade, The Virginia Judge), Hands Across the Table is well worth seeing for classic cinema enthusiasts. Fans of Lombard should certainly check it out: it has much to offer.

Regi Allen (Carole Lombard) is a skilled manicurist working in a hotel and day-dreaming about finding herself the perfect husband: wealthy, smart, and charismatic. Regi meets the suave playboy Theodore Drew III (Fred MacMurray) and romance ensues as the pair become entangled in a love concoction – yet one thing stands in the way: money. Both are seeking wealth, while neither has any! Yet when Theodore gets a chance to marry an extremely wealthy woman, his heart pulls him closer to Regi instead. Perhaps money isn't everything, after all.

The film has strong performances by Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray. Lombard is especially impressive in the lead role. The actress is well-known for her comedic timing and charm and this production was an excellent showcase for her talents. The performance is a strong one that will certainly please fans of the actress. Don't miss it.

The film benefits from strong art direction by Roland Anderson (White Christmas, Breakfast at Tiffany's) and Hans Dreier (The Lost Weekend, Frenchman's Creek). The production merits are outstanding for the film and provide it with a good degree of cinematic atmosphere. Hands Across the Table is an invigorating effort and one with many impressive qualities related to the production design. Both Anderson and Dreier delivered strong efforts that helped the film excel as a classic Hollywood production.

A radiant beauty.

The cinematography by Ted Tetzlaff (The Talk of the Town, Notorious) is effective throughout. The filmmaking soars to greater heights with the exceptional black-and-white cinematography. With a understanding of film as a visual medium, Tetzlaff managed to imbue the production with striking cinematography at each turn of the story.

The music score composed by Friedrich Hollaender (Never a Dull Moment, Adventure in Baltimore), John Leipold (The Big Wheel, Blondie for Victory), and Heinz Roemheld (The Strawberry Blonde, The Lady from Shanghai) is another element which worked. The score never stood out in a bad way and has a nice effect on the filmmaking. The efforts here are certainly commendable and fit the style nicely.

For those viewers looking for exceptional costumes, look no further: the costumes by Travis Banton (A Yank in the R.A.F., Night in Paradise) are first-rate. The costumes for Carole Lombard are especially striking and make a big impression. Banton proves to be a talented designer (once more).

The screenplay by Norman Krasna (Let's Make Love, White Christmas), Vincent Lawrence (Moon over Miami, Good Dame), and Herbert Fields (Hit the Deck, Joy of Living) is entertaining and never seems under-cooked. The story has fun with the premise and the characterizations are engaging. The script certainly manages to provide the actors with some fun moments – and the dialogue works wonders.

Directed by Mitchell Leisen (Easy Living, Remember the Night), Hands Across the Table is well worth checking out. The film has strong pacing and is well-edited by William Shea (One Hour with You, The Lady Has Plans). The production has many impressive merits (and the style of the filmmaking is truly exceptional). Leisen does a solid job with Hands Across the Table and fans of Carole Lombard should consider it well worth checking out. Don't miss it.

Hands Across the Table Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Hands Across the Table is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 full frame. The print quality impresses with a crisp and clean presentation. The transfer is nicely sharp and never overly soft. Despite some minor scratches on the print and a flew occasional blemishes, the print is generally satisfying. Black levels are modest (with too much gray tones) but the cinematography still shines.

Hands Across the Table Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio mono. The lossless audio on the release is reasonably engaging (and there are no significant examples of audio distortion to report). However, the track does sound occasionally thin and it lacks the finesse of a modern feature-film production. While not as crisp as a modern film, dialogue is still clear enough to understand throughout. There are no significant issues with hiss, warps, pops, clicks, and other significant audio-related deficiencies.

Optional English subtitles are provided.

Hands Across the Table Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Filmmaker Allan Arkush and Filmmaker/Historian Daniel Kremer

Nothing Sacred Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:06)

Murder, He Says Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:05)

Death Takes a Holiday Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:23)

Hands Across the Table Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hands Across the Table is an entertaining Hollywood classic with a lot to offer to fans of the leading lady. Hands Across the Table has a variety of impressive production merits (from an excellent screenplay to the excellent black-and-white cinematography). At the heart of the film is a strong performance by Carole Lombard. Fans of the gifted actress will want to see her in this classic gem. The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber is well worth owning and features a solid presentation. Highly recommended.