We have started a Patreon page with the hopes that some of our followers would be willing to donate a small amount to keep DVDBeaver alive. We are a tiny niche, so your generosity is vital to our existence.

We are talking about a minimum of $0.10 - $0.15 a day, perhaps a quarter (or more) to those who won't miss it from their budget. It equates to buying DVDBeaver a coffee once, twice or a few times a month. You can then participate in our monthly Silent auctions, and have exclusive access to many 'bonus' High Resolution screen captures - both 4K UHD and Blu-ray (see HERE).

To those that are unfamiliar, Patreon is a secure/verified third-party service where users can agree to a monthly donation via credit card or PayPal by clicking the button below.


 

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

directed by Phil Karlson
USA 1952

Kansas City Confidential, Phil Karlson's low (low) budget, B-grade film noir, opens on a Kansas City armored-car robbery perpetrated by cynical, corrupt ex-policeman Timothy Foster (Preston S. Foster). Foster devises an outrageous scheme: he will recruit three of the most vicious and unrelenting criminals he can find (screen heavies Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam and Neville Brand) to undertake a robbery, blackmailing them into the heist with incriminating evidence from other "jobs." As an eccentric and clever conceit, Foster forces each of the perpetrators to wear masks, thus concealing their identities from one another and preventing the old pitfall of the men squealing and backstabbing. The heist comes off without a scratch, but a complication arises when the ignorant cops pick up an unrelated fellow, Joe Rolfe (John Payne) for his ownership of a van similar to the one used in the caper. In time, Rolfe is cleared, but he grows irate over the accusations and sets off to find Foster and co. and teach them a lesson. He finally happens upon one of the perpetrators in Mexico, beats him nearly to death, and assumes the victim's identity - and that's when things really get complicated. Though produced under the Hays Code censorship regulations, Kansas City Confidential constituted one of the most brutal and violent crime pictures made up through that time; as such, it retains historical significance. It also claims a strong cult following.

Excerpt from B+N located HERE

***

It's filmed in a semi-documentary style, as it opens when three masked men successfully rob a Kansas City bank of over a million dollars. They use a florist' van to make their escape, where they meet the fourth member of the gang in another vehicle--the Mr. Big who set up the heist. He gives the three spending money and half of the king card to identify themselves when they will meet a month later to split up the loot. The only one who knows all their identities is Mr. Big, therefore no one can squeal. Mr. Big sends each of the three to a foreign country to await a wire which will inform them where to meet for the split.

Excerpt from Dennis Schwartz' review at Ozu's World located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: 28 November 1952, USA

Reviews                                                                   More Reviews                                                           DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL vs. Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC vs. TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC vs. HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Rimini Editions (France) - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Ole Kofoed and Gregory Meshman for the DVD Screen Caps!

1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP LEFT

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL TOP MIDDLE

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC TOP RIGHT

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM LEFT

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTON SECOND

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM THIRD

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM RIGHT

DVD Box Covers

 

 

Distribution

MGM

Region 1 - NTSC

Sony / BMG - Region 0 - PAL

Image Entertainment

Region 0 - NTSC

 

 

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Alpha, Gotham Distribution
Region 0 - NTSC
TreeLine Films
Region 0 - NTSC
HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Distribution

MGM

Region 1 - NTSC

Sony / BMG - Region 0 - PAL

Image Entertainment

Region 0 - NTSC

Alpha, Gotham Distribution
Region 0 - NTSC
TreeLine Films
Region 0 - NTSC
HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:39:21 1:39:15 1:39:06 1:38:51 1:39:00 1:39:16.116 1:39:09.735
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.83 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.74 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.57 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.54 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 3.12 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

Disc Size: 23,223,544,901 bytes

Feature Size: 22,679,894,016 bytes

Average Bitrate: 28.37 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P

Disc Size: 23,088,888,345 bytes

Feature Size: 20,479,574,016 bytes

Average Bitrate: 24.00 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

MGM

 

Bitrate:

Sony / BMG

 

Bitrate:

Image Entertainment

 

Bitrate:

 

Alpha, Gotham Distribution

 

Bitrate:

 

TreeLine Films

 

Bitrate HD Cinema Classics:

 

Blu-ray

 

Bitrate Rimini Editions:

 

Blu-ray

 

Audio English (Dolby Digital mono), DUBs: French and Spanish English (Dolby Digital 2.0) English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)

Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

Dolby Digital 2.0 mono

Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps / DN -4dB
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2059 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2059 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English, Spanish, None French, None None None None Spanish, None French, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
MGM

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
none

DVD Release Date: Jul
y 20th, 2007
Keep case

Chapters 32

Release Information:
Studio: Sony / BMG

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Catalogues of films
• Biographies
• Quiz

DVD Release Date: March 12th, 2002

Keep Case
Chapters: 12

 

Release Information:
Studio: Image Entertainment

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Still & Lobby Card Gallery
• Exclusive Interview with star Coleen Gray

• One pge Liner Notes by Eddie Muller
• Rare Trailer to director Phil Karlson's "5 Against the House"

DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002
Keep case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Alpha, Gotham Distribution

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
None

 

DVD Release Date: August 27, 2002
Keepcase

Chapters 5

Release Information:
Studio: TreeLine Films

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
None

 

DVD Release Date: June 1, 2004
Hard-Sleeve

Chapters 4

Release Information:
Studio:
HD Cinema Classics
 

Disc Size: 23,223,544,901 bytes

Feature Size: 22,679,894,016 bytes

Average Bitrate: 28.37 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P

 

Edition Details:
• 
Restoration Demonstration (split screen - 1:06 in 1080P)
• Trailer (:22 in 1080P)
• Postcard with the poster
• DVD of the film included

Blu-ray Release Date: February 15th, 2011
Standard
Blu-ray Case
12 Chapters

Release Information:
Studio:
Rimini Editions
 

Disc Size: 23,088,888,345 bytes

Feature Size: 20,479,574,016 bytes

Average Bitrate: 24.00 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080

 

Edition Details:
• 
Video on Phil Karlson (10:29 in French)
• DVD of the film included

Booklet (in French)

Blu-ray Release Date: July 16th, 2019
Standard
Blu-ray Case inside cardboard slipcase
10 Chapters

 

 

 

Comments:
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Rimini Editions (France) - Region FREE - Blu-ray November 2019: So, here's the story - I while back I wanted to watch this fabulous Film Noir directed by Phil Karlson - Kansas City Confidential. I put in the HD Cinema Classics and just could go on with that waxy presentation. Digitization is something you can't un-see. It was so glaringly obvious and I couldn't believe that a superior Blu-ray edition had not come out in the past 8.5 years! I found that earlier this year that Rimini Editions (I was pleased with their Blu-ray of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's Somewhere in the Night ), out of France, had released a new Blu-ray. Now, I know the French love Noir, but I didn't have high hopes and was also apprehensive about potential non-removable French subtitles.

Wow - was I pleasantly surprised! Although it is about the same technical transfer (single-layered, supportive bitrate, 1080P) it doesn't appear to be digitized! Halleluhua! It shows grain support but also minor emulsion-like damage - the scene where they are roughing up Joe Rolfe (John Payne) in the chair interrupted by Coleen Gray.) Two more huge positives; no forced French subtitles (you can watch the film in the original English) and the audio is 24-bit lossless (DTS-HD Master). It was a bit hushed to far richer than the HD Cinema Classics. This was very evident in the score by Paul Sawtell (Lost City of the Jungle, 5 Steps to Danger, A Game of DeathInfernoSilver CityThe FlyDenver and Rio GrandeVoyage to the Bottom of the Sea etc.) Now this is not a perfect image but it is very serviceable to enjoy Kansas City Confidential in 1080P without the egregious digital tinkering (or maybe the HD Cinema Classic was simply boosted from SD).

NOTE: 60 more full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray captures for Patrons are available HERE.

The only extra is 10-minute presentation of the work of Phil Karlson by Jean-Francois Rauger, on the occasion of the retrospective hosted by Cinematheque Francaise, from late 2014. It is in French with no English subtitles. There is a PAL DVD and a booklet (in French) included. But more good news - this Blu-ray disc is Region FREE.

If you are a fan of this key Noir then I am please to report the good news that we have a Blu-ray that is not un-watchable - in fact it looks very pleasing on my system. My HD Cinema Classic is already in the garbage.

***

ADDITION: HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray February 2011: This has similar issues to HD Cinema Classics Blu-ray of Orson Welles The Stranger. It is over-digitized and has lost much of the film's grain structure. It is unnaturally waxy and soft - I think I prefer the MGM DVD appearance. Like The Stranger  the audio is not lossless and the extras are a restoration demo that shows very little, a DVD of the film and a short teaser trailer. This is single-layered with a decent bitrate and the film seems to improve as it rolls along. Contrast may be better than a few of the DVDs but there is still brightness boosted and worse than the MGM DVD which is currently only $3.98 and that is what we recommend! 

***

ADDITION - MGM - Region 1 - NTSC - July 07': I'll get right to the point - FINALLY! The MGM is the definitive for image and it has optional subtitles.  No extras but for this Noir gem we are ecstatic it is finally available in a watch-able form. NO CONTEST - the screen caps tell the story! It is the only progressive transfer and it looks like night and day next to the others 'Public Domain' scoundrel versions. GREAT NOIR!

***

ADDITION - Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL - October 06': This is from the Nuits américaines series - Vol.4 - and shares the package with The Great Flamarion. These are great DVDs released by Sony/BMG in France. Vol 1 (HERE) contains Suddenly (1954)and D.O.A. (1950) Vol 2 (HERE) contains Vengeance Valley (1951) and Salome (1953). Vol. 3 (HERE) contains Sturges' The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947) as well as My Favorite Brunette (1947). There are many more - but many seem to be out-of-print - but still available from individual sellers at Amazon.

Unfortunately the noted running time of the film and the associated artifacts show this Sony DVD to be from an unconverted NTSC source - it looks to have better contrast than the Image but the combing removes it from consideration. For tube viewing though it is as good as the rest, but you also get The Great Flamarion, which is a decent enough progressive transfer to make it worthwhile.

****

Looks like both the Alpha and the Treeline have had a lot of contrast boosting as well as being cropped slightly (left edge). The Image DVD is quite dark, but sharper. Both Alpha and Treeline have poor transfers from weak tape source and exhibit ghosting and other artefact problems. The Image has some Extras. Obviously we suggest the Image Entertainment DVD although they are all quite poor having the film lapse into Public Domain.

 - Gary Tooze


Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

 


DVD Menus


(MGM - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. Sony/BMG - Region 0 -PAL RIGHT)

 

 


 (Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLEd vs. TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
 

   

 

HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 


 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM


1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM


1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd

3)  Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd

4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th

5)  TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th

6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th

7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

More full resolution (1920X1080) Blu-ray Captures for Patreon Supporters HERE

 

Glossies


Hit Counter


Report Card:

 

Image:

Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Sound:

Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Extras: Image Entertainment
DVD Box Covers

 

 

Distribution

MGM

Region 1 - NTSC

Sony / BMG - Region 0 - PAL

Image Entertainment

Region 0 - NTSC

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus Captures:

Alpha, Gotham Distribution
Region 0 - NTSC
TreeLine Films
Region 0 - NTSC
HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...