6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Mae West stars as dancer and lion tamer Tira in this romantic comedy. Short of cash, Tira starts performing ever more dangerous stunts until her circus builds up an exciting reputation. But when she meets handsome Jack Clayton (Cary Grant), Tira ends up suing him for breach of contract after their relationship breaks up. Only when Clayton lets her win the case does she realise that she truly loves him.
Starring: Mae West, Cary Grant, Gregory Ratoff, Edward Arnold, Kent TaylorRomance | 100% |
Musical | 20% |
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 | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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.
I'm No Angel 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 advertises a "2019 4K restoration". This is a generally nice looking transfer, though fans should still be aware the restoration gauntlet has not removed all signs of age related wear and tear and a number of scratches, nicks and other blemishes still remain. While there's still a somewhat swarthy grain field on display, it's much more tightly resolved than in the first two features included in this set, and when this transfer is firing on all cylinders, there's a really appealingly organic look that also offers nice detail levels. My score is 3.75.
I'm No Angel features an LPCM Mono track which, like many others in this set, can't escape the limited recording technologies of the day, but which still provides an adequate listening experience. The track is quite shallow and boxy sounding, especially in some of the musical moments or even with regard to some of the crowd sounds during the circus scenes, but actual dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.
Powerhouse Films has packaged this release with both I'm No Angel and Belle of the Nineties sharing a disc. The following is a complete listing of supplements on the disc:
I'm No Angel would seem to be the product of an "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" mentality, albeit with maybe just a soupcon of "well, let's throw in some lion taming, just to be sure" for good measure. Technical merits have a few hurdles to overcome, but nothing I'd term overly problematic. Supplements on this "double feature" disc are most definitely weighted toward I'm No Angel, and are very enjoyable. Recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1937
Masters of Cinema
1943
Indicator Series | Limited Edition
1932
1938
Masters of Cinema
1971
Twentieth Century / Indicator Series
1934
1928
1936
1938
1946
Indicator Series
1933
1941
1934
Premium Collection
1936
Masters of Cinema
1925
Masters of Cinema
1935
Sommarnattens leende
1955
1941
Masters of Cinema
1924
Vintage Classics | 60th Anniversary Edition
1954