Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.0

The Heat's On Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 16, 2022

Note: This version of this film is available on Blu-ray as part of Mae West in Hollywood.

For a star who was perceived to be such a voluptuous female sex symbol, Mae West had, well, swagger. Just look at the way she gallivants, even marauds, physically through her scenes, walking almost like a prize fighter observing some prey she's just devastated. She frequently has a masculine mien in her gait, hands on hips almost threateningly, and with a kind of pugnacious attitude that nonetheless never completely masks a rather unexpectedly sweet and kind aspect to many of her characters, even if those characters are just as apt to be tough as nails. Specifically in terms of West's memorable saunter, if none of her other unforgettable aspects, one of the commentaries included with this set calls West's distinctive stride a "shimmy" that West supposedly overtly stated was culled from watching black women, though some may jokingly wonder if West was also watching black men for a few pointers. What is kind of fascinating about West's ineluctable allure in terms of behaviors and mannerisms, though, is how she manages to be slyly seductive and ridiculously overheated almost simultaneously, but it's instructive to note that this layering of attitudes and demeanors, as well as "mere" physical presence, was part and parcel of West's own writing and character building acumen, since it seems only obvious that West was more than aware that she was putting on a show on any number of levels. West's proclivities as "another" kind of auteur, one who crafted a series of films that frequently were based on West's own ideas and/or writing, are rather prominently on display in this handsome new(ish) set from Powerhouse Films' Indicator imprint, which aggregates together ten features ranging from 1932 to 1943.

If you need a salient example of the vagaries of the film industry, look no further than the movie career of Mae West. West made her film debut in 1932's Night After Night in a supporting role, but then saw her cinematic fortunes skyrocket with She Done Him Wrong and I'm No Angel, both in 1933. Her subsequent films were a mixed lot, with some bombing pretty badly, though in 1940 she had "comeback" of sorts when she co-starred with W.C. Fields in My Little Chickadee. West did not take kindly to the accolades afforded to Fields by the critics, and apparently took umbrage, retreating to stage work for a while, but in 1943 was persuaded to return to studio life to make this kind of sad semi-swan song, which would not find favor with either critics or audiences and which would be West's last film appearance for several decades, until the much lamented 1970 film version of Myra Breckinridge. The Heat's On plays almost like a parody of itself, with a story revolving around Broadway star Fay Lawrence, who might be termed half Judy Garland in Babes on Broadway and half Joan Crawford in Torch Song (and that probably makes this film sound more interesting than it actually is). Backstage drama abounds as Fay gets involved with dueling producers. Despite getting first billing, West is almost an adjunct here, with a lot of screen time given over to the supporting cast and the musical ruminations of Xavier Cugat and his orchestra.

The Heat's On Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Heat's On is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Powerhouse Films' Indicator imprint with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.33:1. The back cover of this release offers only a generic "high definition remaster" comment. This is nonetheless one of the nicer looking transfers in this set, one which boasts solid contrast and black levels, and generally appealing detail levels. Fine detail on things like fabrics on costumes is typically very good, and close-ups can show some of the "age related wear and tear" on West herself, who was approaching the venerable age of fifty when the film was shot. There's some minor damage on display, but nothing of any seriously distracting import. Grain resolves naturally throughout the presentation.

The Heat's On Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Heat's On features a generally boisterous sounding LPCM Mono track. Cugat's latin infused rhythms permeate the musical side of things here, and the battery of percussion instruments utilize sound sharp and nicely defined throughout. There's arguably a bit of anemia in the midrange which can be heard, but on the whole the music sounds full bodied and distortion free. Dialogue is also delivered cleanly and clearly throughout the presentation. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Heat's On Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Super 8 Version (HD; 19:53) begins with a brief text introduction to the early days of "home theaters", when people could watch 8mm (heavily redacted) versions of their favorite films.


• Image Gallery (HD)

The Heat's On Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

West was reportedly less than pleased with The Heat's On, and it's not hard to see why. The film is weirdly flat and uninvolving, with the real excitement generated largely by the manic music of Xavier Cugat's ensemble. Technical merits are generally solid for those who may be considering making a purchase.