Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Hangover Square Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 3, 2017

In his final film role, Laird Cregar, the star of “The Lodger,” finds himself back in period London trouble in “Hangover Square,” though it’s a very different type of serial killer story. More of an obsession chiller than a tale of murder, “Hangover Square” strives to give viewers a stranger viewing experience while hoping to keep up momentum from “The Lodger,” with returning helmer John Brahm working to spin the picture in a slightly different direction, going for more operatic conflicts than atmospherics ones.

Amnesia inspires the horror of “Hangover Square,” with Cregar playing a character who loses control after hearing discordant sounds. It’s a type of Jekyll and Hyde story, following the lead character as he comes to understand his aural issue and deal with outsiders, including a rising interest in a dancehall performer. Much like “The Lodger,” Cregar gives potential ugliness a sinister refinement, making the performance critical to the success of the film.

Hangover Square Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as a "Brand New 4K Restoration." Detail is acceptable for this style of cinematography, contributing sweaty close-ups and textures on costuming, especially with wool suits and dancehall dresses. Delineation is acceptable, handling just fine in shadowy settings, remaining communicative. Artifacting is periodically detected. Source is in decent shape, showing little wear and tear.

Hangover Square Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a few sonic limitations, finding scenes of orchestral fury and violence tending to blow out the balance of elements, leading to some distortive stretches when the action really heats up. Dialogue exchanges are adequate, supporting hushed performances and more refined British sleuthing. Scoring carries loudly but purposefully, working hard to sustain suspense. Mild miss is detected.

Hangover Square Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features film historian Steve Haberman and actor Faye Marlowe.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Richard Schickel.

• "The Tragic Mask: The Laird Cregar Story" (19:43, SD) is a 2007 featurette detailing the brief career of the "Hangover Square" star. Achieving early success in acting, appearing as Oscar Wilde in a Los Angeles play, Cregar was ready for his time with 20th Century Fox, eagerly taking villain roles but fearful of typecasting, finding major success with the release of "The Lodger." The featurette discusses Cregar's struggle with self-image, losing a tremendous amount of weight for "Hangover Square," and his clashes with director John Brahm, leading to his untimely death at the age of 31.

• Vintage Radio Show (29:38) presents an additional production of "Hangover Square," this time starring Vincent Price, Linda Darnell, and Faye Marlowe.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Hangover Square Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Brahm goes nuclear in the finale of "Hangover Square," adding sweeping shots and orchestral panic, successfully blowing the top off a movie that didn't initially seem all that energetic. Some procedural interests slow "Hangover Square," but Brahm adds enough insanity and scope to the picture to keep it involving, and Cregar always makes for a fine gentlemanly lunatic.