6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A man is accused of a series of murders that were actually committed by a crazed killer called "The Tiger." He must prove his innocence and catch the murderer.
Starring: Tod Slaughter, John Warwick, Marjorie Taylor, Frank Cochran, Robert AdairDrama | 100% |
Crime | 7% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Tod Slaughter gains another colorful moniker for his villainous character in 1937's The Ticket of Leave Man, playing a thief known as "The Tiger". Unafraid to get his hands dirty, he's not above using a garrote on his victims. In what is easily one of the darkest openings of any of the films in The Criminal Acts of Tod Slaughter: Eight Blood-and-Thunder Entertainments, 1935-1940 set, Slaughter commits a robbery, murders one police officer, and assaults another. After framing Robert Brierly (John Warwick) for forgery, The Tiger's alter ego transitions to a new venture to serve as a front for his criminal activity, starting The Good Samaritan Society. Ostensibly the organization's purpose is to help convicted criminals out on parole (or, given a "ticket of leave" in the film's antiquated vernacular) transition back into society but in actuality, its true intent is to enable "The Tiger" to create a network of criminals under his control. In typical Tod Slaughter fashion, the man he framed for forgery wasn't chosen at random but rather was selected to clear the way for him to influence, control, and woo the lovely May Edwards (Marjorie Taylor). She, as is customary for these films, is significantly younger than him, with Taylor being approximately 25 at the time of filming and Slaughter being approximately 52 (but looking older), making The Tiger all more unsettling.
Per the book included with the set, the original nitrate negative elements were scanned in 4K and restored in 2K resulting in a transfer that should meet or exceed fans' expectations. Detail levels are typically good, allowing for observation of facial particulars, hair and costuming textures and specifics, and set elements. Black levels are satisfying and the image is stable. The largest issue, though not a large issue in and of itself, is that there are some missing frames as is the case with other films in this set. Noticeable but not distracting, it shouldn't impede anyone's enjoyment of the film.
Those sensitive to such things will detect some slight sibilance issues, though they are more subtle than harsh. Happily, that is the only issue of note here. The English Linear PCM 1.0 track does a solid job faithfully rendering dialogue and music, creating an enjoyable, vintage, listening experience, that is consistent with the bulk of this set.
The on-disc supplemental content located on Disc Three includes:
1937's The Ticket of Leave Man allows Slaughter to depict a deliciously murderous and conniving criminal mastermind. The bloodless but no less impactful murder that opens the film sets a dark tone that underscores "The Tiger", despite his affection for the lovely May Edwards, is a villain that remains ruthless and dangerous to the very end. The addition of a few blatantly comedic moments provides some welcome breaks in tension, allowing it to grow to more significant heights as our heroes May and Robert find themselves in even greater danger. The Ticket of Leave Man comes recommended.
(Still not reliable for this title)
Indicator Series
1936
Indicator Series
1937
Der Dirnenmörder von London
1976
Indicator Series
1936
2016
2017
1965
1940
Indicator Series
1935
Standard Edition
1973
1973
1994
MVD Rewind Collection
1992
1981
1989
Standard Edition
1959
1971
1973
Limited Edition - 1,000 copies
1970
2016