Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

One Way Passage Blu-ray Movie Review

Before The Thin Man.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III May 8, 2023

William Powell and Kay Francis shoot for the moon in Tay Garnett's One-Way Passage, a sentimental pre-Code drama about star-crossed lovers aboard the same ocean liner to America. There's two catches, though: Dan (Powell) has been arrested for murder and Joan (Francis) is terminally ill, but both would rather keep their secrets and enjoy the month-long voyage from Hong Kong, which also includes a brief stop in Honolulu. Attempting to keep the peace with arresting officer Steve Burke (Warren Hymer), who Dan saved from drowning after initially trying to escape, the sharp-dressed prisoner figuratively navigates rough waters while attempting to woo his doomed young suitress.

Although Powell and Francis' on-screen chemistry and collective performances here aren't as strong as in Jewel Thief -- a romantic comedy starring both actors which was released to theaters only two months earlier -- they still manage to carry the bulk of One-Way Passage with ease, relying on the built-in strengths of its core story to guide their temporary time together in a meaningful and effective way. When we're first introduced to Dan and Joan and organically learn about their separate but similar fates within minutes, it's almost impossible not to be invested.

Not one to leave a good thing alone, the crowded writing team -- Robert Lord, who won an Oscar for this story, and/or screenwriters Wilson Mizner and Joseph Jackson -- figured at some point that an injection of comedy relief was needed, which arrives in three forms. The most tolerable is officer Burke, whose chief offense is playing the stereotypical "dumb cop" role by being outsmarted by Dan at every turn. Then there's "Countess Barilhaus" (Aline MacMahon), the alias of Dan's con artist pal "Barrel House" Betty who's along for the trip and aids in a few of his schemes -- she's not glaringly bad either but more of a half-baked distraction whose narrative purpose could've been filled by anyone. The absolute worst of the lot is Skippy (Frank McHugh), a small-time pickpocket whose annoying antics and irritating little-brother laugh gobble up way too many precious seconds of a 68-minute movie about love on borrowed time.

Luckily, these icebergs don't sink the ship: the inevitably doomed romance that carries One-Way Passage is just too good, and it's punctuated by a decently effective ending that generates a fairly strong emotional response considering the little time they actually have together. That's not the only fundamental strength of the film, either: it's also aided by terrific cinematography from Robert Kurrle -- a prolific talent who died only five days after the film's theatrical release at the age of 42 -- and a solid original score that doesn't pile on weepy cues during each key moment. It all contributes to the film's bittersweet atmosphere, one whose emphasis on fleeting love has only strengthened with the passage of time. While those tonal detours described above keep One-Way Passage from standing toe-to-toe with the decade's best romantic dramas, there's more than enough here to make it worth a look for fans of both leads.

Remade just eight years later as 'Til We Meet Again (which also inexplicably featured Frank McHugh reprising his awful supporting role), One-Way Passage doesn't quite hold up as an undisputed classic of pre-Code cinema but is still well worth (re)discovering almost 90 years later. Warner Archive proves up to the challenge with yet another outstanding Blu-ray that serves up an absolutely top-tier A/V restoration and a handful of era-specific bonus features.

One Way Passage Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sourced from a recent 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative, One-Way Passage looks as pristine as possible thanks to the reliably careful treatment of Warner Archive. As seen in these accompanying screenshots, even 90+ years of age doesn't prevent this from being a five-star effort under the circumstances, one that preserves the grain, texture, and silvery sheen of nitrate film yet still appears extremely clean and stable from start to finish. It's a tricky balance to maintain that type of quality but the boutique label nails it yet again, creating another flawless disc that's well-encoded and shows no apparent signs of posterization, banding, and other compression-related issues. A film with no shortage of visual challenges to overcome (fog, low lighting, haziness, and substantial contrast variances), One-Way Passage passes with flying colors and will meet or exceed the expectations of die-hard fans and first-timers alike.

One Way Passage Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

One-Way Passage's DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix -- similarly restored from that camera negative -- can't quite reach the dizzying heights of its visual restoration, but it's still a very fine presentation and one that's perfectly faithful to the film's one-channel roots. Aside from those occasional distractions and some obvious thinness in the high end (which also occasionally affects the original score), it's a largely solid listening experience with crisp dialogue and even mild depth during the film's sporadically crowded sequences. Under the circumstances, it's probably a best-case scenario and one that likewise outpaces earlier home video editions and even some original showings.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included during the main feature only, but not the extras.

One Way Passage Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with poster-themed cover art and no inserts. The bonus features are mostly new (and most are freshly remastered), as Warner Archive's previous DVD only offered the theatrical trailer.

• Theatrical Trailer (2:12) - This vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.

• Lux Radio Theater Broadcast (59:30) - Originally broadcast on March 6, 1939, this (not too) abridged adaptation of the film features William Powell and Kay Francis reprising their lead roles.

• Screen Director's Playhouse Radio Show (29:58) - This second and obviously much shorter adaptation, which again features Powell reprising his role but with Peggy Dow (who's still alive, as of this writing!) as "Joan", didn't air until December 30, 1949... almost two decades after the film's theatrical release.

• Buzzin' Around (20:18) - This unrestored Vitaphone short stars Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle as an inventor who concocts a liquid that makes objects unbreakable... but grabs the wrong jar during a demonstration.

• A Great Big Bunch of You (6:48) - This nicely-restored and charming 1932 Merrie Melodies short, directed by Rudolf Ising, features a fun little story about a piano player who turns trash into treasure.

One Way Passage Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The short-lived romance that carries One-Way Passage is a strong anchor, but in my opinion its supporting characters keep this film from reaching greater heights. Such a criticism might barely dent most big-screen productions... but at only 67 minutes, it's impossible to ignore that much wasted time. Regardless, One-Way Passage has its moments as well as a potent atmosphere, which is served perfectly well by Warner Archive's sterling new A/V restoration. Add in a handful of era-specific extras and you've got a very nice package for fans and curious first-timers alike.