6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Shortly before his execution on the death row in San Quentin, amateur sleuth and baby photographer Ronnie Jackson, tells reporters how he got there.
Starring: Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Peter Lorre, Lon Chaney Jr., John Hoyt (I)Crime | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Bob Hope is generally known as a rascal, often employing a sardonic wit to best his challengers on television, film, and radio. Always armed with an ace one-liner and complete comfort with any situation, it’s somewhat bizarre to watch Hope in 1947’s “My Favorite Brunette,” which asks the comedy legend to play unhinged for 90 minutes, always stuck in losing situations, caught in the middle of complicated problems. While it’s far from fresh ground for the performer, it’s a nice change of pace, working to bend his big screen persona in unusual directions with “My Favorite Brunette,” which keeps him busy for nearly every frame of the feature.
"My Favorite Brunette" has apparently enjoyed a healthy life as a public domain title, released several times on VHS and DVD. For its Blu-ray debut, the AVC encoded image (1.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation manages to bring film to HD with reasonable clarity. Of course, glamour cinematography and age are present, but detail is passable, sharpening sets and the assembled talent, finding close-ups good with subtleties and broad reactions. Delineation is adequate, with some sequences inching toward solidification on costuming. Source is in reasonable shape, but speckling and minor scratching is present.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is basic for this type of entertainment, with primary focus on dialogue exchanges. Age robs performances of true clarity, but comedic speeds are understood, and suspense needs are met. Scoring is fairly unremarkable, providing only a basic understanding of instrumentation, with music often buried in the track to preserve the acting. Sound effects are a bit more pronounced. Hiss and pops are present throughout the listening event.
There is no supplementary material on this disc.
Hope being Hope, the fourth wall is broken multiple times, and celebrity cameos keep the production industry-minded instead of sincere. It's goofy at times, but always engaging, with Hope front and center directing traffic to the best of his ability, showing a modest amount of range, offering himself up as a submissive character for a change.
1946
Special Edition
1962
1978
Warner Archive Collection
1972
Warner Archive Collection
1936
2010
Nine to Five | Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1980
2004
1951
1940
Warner Archive Collection
1966
1997
2003
1987
Universal 100th Anniversary
1959
1980
1962
1936
1967
1961