6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Set in the Gold Rush of the 1890s. Beautiful Rose Carlton (Mae West), a "kept" woman of the wealthy and possessive Chan Lo, escapes San Francisco's Chinatown on a ship bound for Alaska's gold rush territory. The ship's captain, Bull Brackett (Victor McLaglen), instantly falls for Rose but she is distracted by her new cabinmate, Sister Annie Alden (Helen Jerome Eddy). Exchanging philosophies,the unlikely pair develop a meaningful friendship before Sister Annie becomes sick and dies. Meanwhile, Bull learns Rose is wanted for murder but tells her he will standby her. Rose, in desperation, changes identities with her deceased friend and, once in Alaska, is inspired to a new calling. It's West at her best as she brings the immoral townspeople to their knees with her unconventional style of evangelism in this spirited tale of divine transformation.
Starring: Mae West, Victor McLaglen, Phillip Reed (I), Harry Beresford, Esther HowardComedy | 100% |
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 | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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.
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 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.
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:
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.
(Still not reliable for this title)
1931
1933
Masters of Cinema
1924
2022
1937
1941
2012
1941
1935
1936
1985
1934
Arrow Academy
1971
1940
1943
1929
2016
Imogene
2013
1957
2010