Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 8, 2022

George Marshall's "Hook, Line and Sinker" (1969) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary recorded by film historian Peter Tonguette; archival episode of The Dick Cavette Show; vintage promotional materials for the film; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

You can resuscitate me faster if you do mouth-to-mouth, okay?

Even though Peter J. Ingersoll (Jerry Lewis) is only in his early forties, he has a couple of months left to live. Maybe more. Maybe less. The point is, there is something very, very wrong with his heart and he is dying. His best friend, Dr. Scott Carter (Peter Lawford), has just confirmed that the issue is irreversible and his premature death unavoidable.

But these things happen, so Peter should not panic. He should immediately share the news with his wonderful wife, Nancy (Anne Francis), and together they must decide how the family will survive after he is gone. That life insurance policy Peter picked up a while ago could do plenty to help his family recover, but would it be enough? Peter’s savings will surely be needed, too. And if all of this isn’t enough, perhaps Nancy could consider selling the house?

At home, Peter reveals the awful news to Nancy, but much to his surprise she suggests a very different strategy for the immediate future. Instead of thinking about his inevitable death, Peter should instantly begin living life to the fullest so that when the Grim Reaper appears he has zero regrets.

Not a bad strategy, eh? He loves fishing, so he could immediately pack his bags and go on a trip enjoying the greatest fishing locations this wonderful planet has to offer. Obviously, he does not have to worry about expenses he does not have to pay back what he spends. He has maintained good credit for years, so now he can finally take advantage of it. Jamaica, Brazil, and Portugal are just a plane ticket away and he has enough credit to afford going there. As a matter of fact, Peter has enough to explore the nightlife scene at each location he visits and perhaps even have a rendezvous or two. Who knew that dying could turn out to be so much fun?

Shortly after he leaves America, Peter begins spending like a rock star, and by the time he reaches Portugal, he racks up enough debt that he would not be able to pay off even if he lived to be hundred years old. But he isn’t even remotely worried about his spending habits, or at least not until he accidentally bumps into his best friend again and a friendly hotel clerk describes the woman accompanying him like his beloved Nancy.

George Marshall’s final film, Hook, Line and Sinker, is another predictable show-off project for Lewis, and as such it relies exclusively on the latter’s performance to impress. Needless to say, this is the film’s Achilles’ Heel because its entire identity is defined by the manner in which Lewis controls its sense of humor and rhythm.

Despite a couple of good twists, the progression of the story is entirely predictable. It is told in uneven flashbacks that present Lewis with opportunities to impress in different situations. A few, like the ones from the Caribbean and Jamaica where Lewis does individual acts, are quite good, but most of the group footage is instantly forgettable. Also, the serious bits where Lewis is seen alone with his thoughts are tend to look quite awkward.

What ultimately keeps the film tolerable is its overall casualness, which admittedly isn’t a quality many viewers will focus on. The dated exotic footage naturally relaxes the mind and after that Lewis’ adventures become quite easy to enjoy. However, when all is said and done, it is even easier to conclude that it is not one of Lewis’ best.

*Hook, Line and Sinker is included in Jerry Lewis at Columbia, a two-disc box set, together with The Big Mouth, which Lewis directed as well.

Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Hook, Line and Sinker arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Va Vision Entertainment.

The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. Even though there are a few areas where its age very clearly begins to show, I like it quite a lot (see examples in screencaptures #19 and 20). The overall appearance of the visuals is one that I would expect from a master that has been struck from an interpositive, though there are quite a few that are slightly softer than they should be. Despite these fluctuations they have good organic qualities, and even on a larger screen hold up pretty well. The overall color balance is good too, though this is another area that reveals minor inconsistencies. Some darker areas, in particular, could have better darker nuances, but you won't be distracted by annoying black crush. Image stability is good. Finally, I did notice a few white specks, but there are no big cuts, debris, stains, warped or torn frames to report. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I did not encounter any anomalies to report in our review. The audio was very clear, sharp, and stable. Dynamic intensity was modest, but this is to be expected from an audio track replicating the native qualities of a soundtrack that was finalized in the late '60s. Naturally, even if in the future the audio is fully remastered, I do not think that there will be a meaningful difference in quality.

Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Dick Cavett Show - this quite long archival episode of The Dick Cavett Show is very entertaining. Jerry Lewis shares a lot of interesting information about his dealings with various studio bosses, his creative methods, and the evolution of his career, but also produces all kinds of different jokes. There is even an outstanding improvised piece with some fantastic support by the band. It is a great bonus feature. The episode was broadcast on November 27, 1972. In English, not subtitled. (64 min).

• Commentary - an exclusive new commentary recorded by film historian Peter Tonguette.

• Theatrical Trailer - a vintage theatrical trailer for Hook, Line and Sinker. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Textless Opening/Closing - in English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Photo Gallery - a collection of vintage promotional materials. for Hook, Line and Sinker from around the world.

Hook, Line and Sinker Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you replace Jerry Lewis with another, less recognizable actor in Hook, Line and Sinker, you are essentially looking at an American project that has a lot in common with the exotic action thrillers Harry Alan Towers produced during the '60s. Is this good or bad? You decide. I think that there are a couple of quite hilarious sequences with Lewis, but Hook, Line and Sinker relaxed my mind in almost the exact same way Mozambique has in the past. It just put a few extra smiles on my face. Via Vision Entertainment's release is sourced from an older but good organic master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. Also, it has an outstanding archival episode of the The Dick Cavett Show with Lewis discussing his career and doing what he did best. The release is included in Jerry Lewis at Columbia, a two-disc box set, together with The Big Mouth. RECOMMENDED.