Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Ticket of Leave Man Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker May 18, 2024

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.

Normally in these films, Slaughter is the sole actor to generate any semblance of humor. While rarely actually delivering humorous dialogue or engaging in physical comedy, he creates these moments through his broad performances and his unbridled glee at his own machinations and actions. In a slight departure from the norm, child actor Arthur West Payne portrays a young man named Sam Willoughby who works at his mother's cigar stand and amusingly can't keep his hands off the merchandise, stealing a puff or two at every opportunity. Later, he again gets to generate a few laughs in an exchange outside the building where he lives. It's a welcome change that allows Slaughter to focus on his evil plans and deliver a more consistent performance.

The Ticket of Leave Man Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

The Ticket of Leave Man Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Ticket of Leave Man Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The on-disc supplemental content located on Disc Three includes:

• The Ticket of Leave Man Audio Commentary with Josephine Botting and Dave Thomas

• Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror Audio Commentary with Stephen Jones and Kim Newman

• Giles and Imogen Slaughter: Shock Factor (11.19) - Imogen (Slaughter's grand-niece) and Giles (nephew) relay numerous family reminiscences, including that Slaughter's sisters did not approve of him because he ran off at 16 to join the theatre, his somewhat strained relationship with the family, his generosity, and his fabulous parties. Sadly, his battered make-up box is the only artifact they've got of his time in theatre, most other items having been sold off.

• Slaughter's Stock (12.12) - As an actor/manager, this featurette focuses on the actors with whom he regularly worked.

• The Ticket of Leave Man Image Gallery

• Sexton Blake and the Hooded Terror Image Gallery

The Ticket of Leave Man Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.