Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman August 21, 2026

Among the biggest examples of "fan scuttlebutt" in terms of legendary stage musicals getting adapted for the screen is the supposed outrage that Doris Day wasn't cast as Nellie Forbush in 1958's South Pacific , but I'd suggest another missed opportunity was not casting Dean Martin in 1955's film version of Guys and Dolls. Perhaps unbelievably, then, it turns out Samuel Goldwyn did consider Martin for the film, but here's the amazing part: Goldwyn pondered casting Martin and Jerry Lewis in the legendary Abe Burrows - Frank Loesser musical, before making the perhaps equally strange decision to pair Marlon Brando (!) along with Frank Sinatra. Lewis would have no doubt brought his typically manic comic sensibility to Nathan Detroit, evidently the role he was being considered for, arguably without Sinatra's musical finesse (though Lewis could sing, and rather well), but based on Money from Home, another (semi) musical film culled from a Damon Runyon tale, Dean Martin could have easily given Brando a run for his money as Sky Masterson, especially in the singing department.

Money from Home received a long ago 2D release from Olive Films (remember them?), and our Money from Home Blu-ray review provides plot information, for those interested. As with most of the old Olive releases, there were no supplements on that release.

Some may also find interest in my recent interview with Bob Furmanek.

Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Money from Home is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber with an MVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.37:1 (an AVC encoded 2D presentation is available as well). As with some other recent releases worked on by Bob Fumanek's 3-D archive, both a Real 3D and analglyph version are offered, though in this case there are no anaglyph glasses included in the package, as with the relatively recent 88 Films release of 3-D archive's Magnificent Bodyguards 3D. Furmanek and his team are on hand in an interesting if too brief supplement included on this disc (see below) detailing the efforts that went into this restoration, which is really a kind of Holy Grail for Furmanek, who saw the film (in 2D, not to state the obvious) on television when he was a kid, and then rather fortuitously ended up working for Jerry Lewis a few years later, helping Lewis to organize his voluminous archive. While 3-D Archive's efforts typically take months to achieve on any given title, Money from Home was so technically challenging given not just the 3D angle (pun unavoidable), but the blandishments of 3 strip Technicolor as well, Money from Home took two years to complete. And the good news is all of that hard work and determination has resulted in a really stunning looking presentation. The 3D aspect is evident from the get go with the 3D menu, where the horse's head on the right side pokes out at the viewer, but once the feature starts, there is consistent 3D depth observable, albeit rather subtly at times. This is a 3D presentation that probably more overtly offers information deep into the frame in terms of background people and objects behind foreground information, but there are occasional "in your face" moments, including some of Jerry's typical physical schtick. But this is an amazingly nuanced 3D presentation that frankly shies away from "gimmicks" to consistently provide depth within the frame, even in some relatively static compositions. For just two of many examples, pay attention to the background when Martin is trying to drum up "business" in the opening vignette, or a bit later in his first interchange with the inimitable Sheldon Leonard, where a whole backroom behind the focal characters achieves considerable depth. As impressive as the 3D side (sides?) of things, though, is the refreshing of the Technicolor palette. Lots of people (including probably your truly) tend to think of the "Golden Age" of Technicolor being somewhat earlier with efforts like The Adventures of Robin Hood, but this early fifties effort proves how ravishing the technology could still be. Just a cursory comparison of the old Olive release shows that this new presentation has removed the kind of gritty, slightly dirty and brownish, look of the old 2D transfer (not to mention correcting the aspect ratio). There are still occasional minor fluctuations in color temperature, along with some very minor signs of age related wear and tear that made it through the restoration guantlet, but considering how lustrous this looks, those seem like niggling qualms at worst. As with Magnificent Bodyguards, I found the anaglyph version to be less appealing than the newer 3D technology, with an overall darker look that doesn't offer the same mind blowing colors as the other version.

Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Money from Home features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track which delivers the film's somewhat basic sound design without any issues. While probably not at the level of Frank Loesser's contributions to Guys and Dolls, Dean does sing a couple of complete songs written expressly for the film, along with snippets of a couple of other pre-existing standards (including one co-written by Loesser). That said, I was kind of expecting Dean to break into Luck Be a Lady Tonight after the opening details his character's long losing streak at the track. Jerry also contributes some brief musical moments, and all of the songs and underscore sound clear and problem free. Sound effects are occasionally on the goofy side. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Coming Back Home (HD; 11:36) is a sweet featurette with Bob Furmanek and his team, with Furmanek detailing his long history with the film, his relationship with Jerry Lewis, and with other comments from his team (and Chris Lewis, Jerry's son) about the challenges this restoration presented.


• Dean's Disc (HD; 3:50) is a frankly kind of unbelievable audio extra of a song Martin recorded for Lewis' 27th birthday during the filming of Money from Home. Suffice it to say this comes with a personal "warning" from Chris Lewis that the lyric is probably going to chafe against current PC sensibilities. This plays to an an enjoyable slideshow.


• On the Set (HD; 2:34) is another slideshow of production images.


• Martin and Lewis Fox Theatre Promo (HD; 00:54) has the pair hawking an upcoming appearance in Detroit (not Nathan).


• Teaser (HD; 1:26)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:00)


• Audio Commentary by Film Historians James L. Neibauer and Mike Ballew is accessible under the Audio Menu.


• Audio Commentary by Film Historians Nathaniel Thompson and Howard S. Berger is accessible under the Audio Menu.

Note: There is one slight but potentially annoying authoring element on this disc with regard to the special features. If you've selected a 3D presentation, choosing any of the supplements then goes to a "switching to 2-D" interstitial "menu", something that recurs even if you've just played one of the 2D supplements.

Packaging features a slipcover.

Money from Home 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One of the kind of unintentionally funny little moments in the main supplement above is an audio recording of Furmanek calling Lewis after Furmanek was finally able to see a 3D print of Money from Home at Paramount. Furmanek, like any "normal" geeked out fan, is very excited to share the experience with Lewis, who responds monosyllabically with various brief comments. In that conversation Furmanek states how much seeing the film in 3D enhanced the experience when compared to his first television viewing, and while Money from Home might not seem like something that would be a typical 3D outing, it is a decidedly more immersive viewing experience now. Technical merits are first rate, and the supplements, including two nice commentary tracks, are very enjoyable. Highly recommended.