Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Klondike Annie Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 16, 2022

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.

Mae West's battles with censors actually ended up getting her arrested, famously, though there's some cinematic evidence of that long simmering dispute in some odd, disjunctive moments in Klondike Annie, since at least a couple of key sequences were excised from the film prior to its general release when the powers that be found them "objectionable". One of those is pretty salient to understanding what's going on with West's character of Rose Carlton, once again a late 19th century singer with seemingly unstoppable seductive charms. That ability to virtually hypnotize each and every man gets her into hot water with her keeper (pimp?), Chan Lo, (Harold Huber), who runs a place in 1890s San Francisco. The missing footage evidently showed (or at least alluded to) Rose killing Chan Lo, albeit in self defense, which then leads Rose to escape to Nome, Alaska, during the great gold rush. On the steamer there, she meets with a kindly Sister Annie (Helen Jerome Eddy) who's on her way to an Alaskan mission, but who passes away en route. The quick thinking Rose, already sure the cops are after her for the Chan Lo situation, decides to assume the Sister's identity and (more or less) carry on with her "good work". A colorful supporting cast including Victor McLaglen doing his patented hardscrabble captain characterization adds to the zest of the film, but there are some dated aspects that may rub some charter members of the PC Police the wrong way.

Klondike Annie Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Klondike Annie 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 was culled from a "2014 high definition remaster", without really getting into specifics of the provenance of the element utilized (exactly like the verbiage with regard to the rest of the films in this set, unfortunately). This is another presentation that has noticeable age related wear and tear, with scratches, nicks and other blemishes showing up with fair regularity. The grain field is again quite heavy, and a newer encode may arguably have been able to tighten things up a bit. Black levels and contrast are generally nice looking throughout, and I was actually rather impressed with gradations in gray scale on some aspects like the all black suit McLaglen wears (see screenshot 2). There's some stock footage of what is supposed to be Nome that is in incredibly ragged condition. My score is 3.25.

Klondike Annie Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Klondike Annie features an LPCM Mono track which shows many of the characteristics of the other soundtracks of this set. Fidelity is decent enough, but there's an undeniably shallow ambience and lack of dynamic range on the track. Music can sound especially boxy on occasion. Dialogue is nonetheless presented cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

Klondike Annie Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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:

• Klondike Annie Audio Commentary with Eloise Ross


• Downtown Girl (HD; 33:24) features Lucy Bolton offering her thoughts on Mae West.


• Goin' to Town Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:40)


• Goin' to Town Image Gallery (HD)


• Klondike Annie Image Gallery (HD)

Klondike Annie Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's kind of amazing how many different storylines West was able to make her almost patented "character" fit into, and Klondike Annie at least has the benefit of an unusual locale, even if many of the other elements of the plot are going to strike West fans as decidedly repetitive. There's an interesting subtext here of reformation and maybe even salvation, though, two aspects that don't always make such a forceful presence in West's films. Technical merits are acceptable given an aged and at times noticeably damaged element, and both the Ross commentary and Bolton featurette are worthwhile. With caveats noted, Recommended.