Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Some Came Running Blu-ray Movie Review

Ol' black-and-blue eyes.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III February 1, 2022

How do you separate solid performances from an awful story? You'll have to try during Vincente Minnelli's Some Came Running, a targeted takedown of small-town USA based on the bloated novel by James Jones. It's a messy, sprawling affair, tracing the crooked path of Army veteran Dave Hirsh (Frank Sinatra) as he returns to Parkman, Indiana after a 16-year absence. Also on the bus from Chicago is loose, free-spirited Ginny Moorehead (Shirley MacLaine); Dave buys her a ticket back home, but she's in love with him -- and on the run from abusive ex-boyfriend Ray Lanchak (Steven Peck) -- so she sticks around for awhile. Dave's got a chip on his soldier and keeps almost everyone at arm's length... including his well-to-do brother Frank (Arthur Kennedy) and Frank's stuffy wife Agnes (Leora Dana), whose seemingly idyllic marriage has its own cracks and crevices. Needless to say, this will be a rough homecoming.

Dave's pre-Army career as a writer didn't leave him with much of a legacy; just two books in the local library and a few admirers of his work... including creative writing teacher Gwen French (Martha Hyer), the daughter of a family friend. Aside from his fast friendship with card hustler Bama Dillert (Dean Martin), Gwen might be the best thing in Dave's life right now but his forceful advances are not appreciated. After returning to a local bar, he and Ginny are attacked by Ray and taken into custody; upon his release, Dave moves in with Bama and the two decide to make money playing cards in Terre Haute. Needless to say, our "hero" is at rock bottom: a struggling alcoholic, he's an embarrassment to Frank and that latest stunt has made Dave a pariah to almost everyone in town except Bama, Ginny, and Gwen, who submits Dave's latest story to The Atlantic in hopes of restarting his writing career. But Frank's no better; he's only concerned with his image while secretly hiding an affair with young secretary Edith Barclay (Nancy Gates).

Almost everyone's terrible in Some Came Running, an overly dramatic chore of a film that revels in soapy drama while treating its only two good-hearted characters, Ginny Moorehead and Gwen French, like dirt. The 1,200-page source novel, whittled down to 136 minutes, even drastically changed the original ending due to demands from Sinatra, who reportedly clashed with the notoriously fussy director and even stormed off the set on more than one occasion. While this obvious resentment bolsters his admittedly striking performance, it doesn't make Some Came Running any less of a dour, fatalistic affair, and a rather long-winded one at that. I'm not against anti-heroes or downbeat endings by any stretch of the imagination, but this film's ham-handed Hail Mary attempts to beg for our sympathy (a sudden medical emergency, Dave's drastic change of heart for perpetually ignored Ginny, a tragic death -- hell, even the supposedly "respectful" final act from Bama) all ring hollow because these actions don't feel earned, not by a long shot. Like the desperate late-night call from an evicted domestic abuser, it's not an apology worth falling for.

Even so, Some Came Running was largely praised at the time of its release (even earning five Oscar nominations) and isn't a total loss, thanks to solid performances and great cinematography that extends to its odd but compelling climax at a centennial fair. Really, it just follows the wrong person: Dave's frustrating, self-destructive behavior does not make him an easy character to like (let alone root for) and appropriately enough, this will leave most viewers at arm's length as well. And while I'm usually not one to focus on what we could have gotten, Some Came Running would've been a great deal more effective from the vantage point of Shirley MacLaine's character. But those who like the film as-is will love Warner Archive's Blu-ray, as it sports another top-tier restoration that makes the film shine like new.

Some Came Running Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Despite my reservations about the main feature itself, Some Came Running sports a great deal of absolutely beautiful Technicolor cinematography and it's served well on Warner Archive's Blu-ray -- no surprise there, as the boutique label has proven itself several times over as perhaps the most reliable outfit in the business for purist-friendly home video presentations. Any one of these included screenshots should offer ample proof of this 1080p transfer's commitment to fine detail and natural film grain which, along with its stunning Metrocolor palette, offers a frequently jaw-dropping level of clarity to the proceedings. Of course, the famous final sequence at Parkman's centennial fair, with its stunning rainbow-colored lights and heavy red cast to emphasize approaching danger, is perhaps the most distinctly impressive; previous home video versions rendered the sequence a mushy, noisy, mess but it looks nearly flawless here. Only a few stray moments of posterization can be spotted along the way, but other than that Some Came Running offers a virtually flawless visual picture on Blu-ray from start to finish. It's beautiful portrayal of ugly behavior.

Some Came Running Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Some Came Running was originally released in four-track stereo but Warner Archive's Blu-ray, like WB's DVD release before it, is presented in 2.0 mono (albeit lossless now). It's obviously a bit cramped at times and the split one-channel mix does little to truly support Elmer Bernstein's original score, which I'll admit to not caring for very much. That said, dialogue and background effects are consistently clear with no perceivable hiss or other age-related defects, and since this is very talky film it's a mostly acceptable presentation. But stray moments of action, as well as those soundtrack cues, would have likely enjoyed a much fuller and more dynamic presence as part of a true stereo track.

Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included during the main feature only; this is especially frustrating, as the recycled bonus featurette created for Warner Bros.' 2008 DVD had optional subtitles that are not present here.

Some Came Running Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This release arrives in a standard keepcase with poster-themed cover art and two era-specific extras.

• The Story of "Some Came Running" (20:38) - Warner Home Video's 2008 featurette offers an annoyingly showy retrospective by way of film historians and other participants including Drew Casper (former USC School of Cinematic Arts professor), Jonathan Kuntz, author/professor Joe McElhaney, professor Dana Polan, and film critic Peter Travers. It's a bit surface-level but worth watching and covers the film's general production, unique cinematography, historical significance, cultural impact, and James Jones' source novel.

• Theatrical Trailer (3:52) - This vintage promotional piece can also be seen here.

Some Came Running Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Vincente Minnelli's Some Came Running is a challenging film to truly enjoy: full of mostly unlikable characters and soapy, manipulative melodrama, this targeted takedown of small-town USA attempts to condense James Jones' bloated source novel with mixed results. That said, the widescreen cinematography is excellent and Minnelli's use of framing and color make this a visually appealing experience; combined with a handful of committed performances, it's at the very least a case of "your mileage may vary". Warner Archive's Blu-ray is inarguably great, though, with another outstanding 1080p transfer and a couple of thoughtful DVD-era bonus features for good measure. Established fans should consider Some Came Running a recommended title; newcomers will want to try before they buy.