Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

The Hang Up Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 6, 2018

1969’s “The Hang Up” offers no introductions, flinging viewers into a gender fluid bar where a young entertainer known as Suzette sits in the middle of the room, removes her top, and wills herself to orgasm. No characters are identified or motivations established, it’s just pure sexploitation filler from writer/director John Hayes, who trusts the core demographic sitting down to watch the picture are far more interested in the baring of breasts than the morality play to come. “The Hang Up” eventually connects to a story, but it’s hard to top such a bizarre opener, though the kinky melodrama that ensues is just kooky enough to pay attention to, though it helps to have the knowledge that Hayes never returns to salaciousness with the same verve he offers in the film’s opening.

Sgt. Walsh (Tony Vorno) is a tough law enforcement officer with no time for the sexual deviants he encounters during his beat as a vice cop. He’s bigoted and low on patience, with sexual frustration driving his daily life as a single man. Investigating an underground sex society, Walsh meets Angel (Sharon Matt), a young prostitute he takes a liking to, endeavoring to save her from the cult-like family she’s spent the past week with. Embarking on a relationship, Walsh crosses the line, getting himself into trouble with those who previously possessed her, putting the cop in a difficult position of protection.

Once settled into Walsh’s story, “The Hang Up” lives up to its title, with Hayes rolling around in the cop’s sexual dysfunction, where he’s tempted by come-ons supplied by his lonely landlord, and takes his daily duty with the utmost seriousness, making himself judge of all that’s proper in the city. It’s a set-up for a downfall, but Hayes doesn’t get there quickly, taking his time working through botched couplings and Walsh’s visit to the underworld, with his tour of a mansion-wide orgy showcasing remarkable similarity to Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut.” Once Angel enters the feature, “The Hang Up” tries to find things for the couple to do before plotting returns, and the strain of filling 75 minutes worth of screen time appears to be too much for Hayes, who has a habit of stopping the picture completely, under the false impression he’s building suspense or deepening the central relationship.

The Hang Up Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation has its share of deterioration, with the main titles alone showcasing speckling and single- frame damage. There are more jumpy frames and scratches to come, but away from minor issues, the viewing experience is excellent. Detail comes through clearly, highlighting all kinds of skin textures to accompany the feature's extensive nudity, while facial surfaces are sharp. Nightlife is equally inviting, providing dimensional locations and a fresh view of set decoration. Colors are vibrant, with strong primaries working with period hues, keeping costuming varied and greenery bold. Delineation is secure. Grain is filmic.

The Hang Up Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers pleasing clarity with dialogue exchanges, securing performance choices and accent work. Balance is also maintained for hushed encounters. Scoring is louder and enjoys decent instrumentation, offering a jazzy mood to support suspense and sexuality. Atmospherics are simple but effective, offering a sense of clubs and group encounters. Sound effects are sharp.

The Hang Up Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

The Hang Up Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Hang Up" eventually reclaims momentum, but there's a TV procedural vibe to the final act, which puts Walsh in a troubling position of guilt after decades of condemning others, suddenly declawed by a clever opponent. There's no grand sweep of intrigue presented here, just a small arc of personal corruption, offering a challenge to one man's moral outrage that another filmmaker would probably make a meal out of. Hayes doesn't have the eye of the tiger, more interested in staging unsavory sex scenes, loading the feature up with naked actors (Vorno isn't shy about taking off his clothes), and wandering his way to a deadly serious resolution that doesn't have much in common with the oddity that precedes it. "The Hang Up" has that memorable opening moment, but it's the last genuinely surprisingly element in the picture, which soon gives itself over to a vaguely defined inspection of misguided nobility.