Otto Preminger Fallen Angel Alice Faye Dana Andrews Linda Darnell DVD Review

directed by Otto Preminger
USA 1945

In 1945, a year after the tremendous success of Laura, director Otto Preminger again uses Dana Andrews, this time as as a drifter, Eric Stanton , who is thrown off a San Francisco bus for limited funds to continue. A survivor, with use of his charm and well dressed demeanor, falls almost immediately for a waitress named Stella (Linda Darnell), who half the town appears to be nursing a huge crush on. Even though she only shows her mean-spirited side. Unfortunately this plot gets rather silly and convoluted with surprises being totally out of character for Mark Judd (Charles Bickford) and the absurdly prim and proper June Mills (Alice Faye). The ending results in a Hollywood storybook ... that shouldn't have been. Methinks there was some studio hacks in their adjusting the script, but alas, although I may never know, I was still rather commiserate with this film. This may be below Preminger standard, but it will keep you keen with the powerful atmosphere. out of

Gary W. Tooze

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Theatrical Release: October 26th, 1945 - USA (Premiere)

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DVD Comparison:

BFI - Region 2 - PAL vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC

(BFI - Region 2 - PAL LEFT vs. 20th Century Fox - Region 1- NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	BFI - Region 2- PAL	20th Century Fox Region 1- NTSC
Runtime	1:33:06	1:37:05
Video	1.28:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.44 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 9.11 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: BFI
Bitrate: FOX
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby), English (mono)
Subtitles	English, None	English, Spanish, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: BFI Video Publishing Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.28:1 Edition Details: • Director Biography (text screens) • Screenwriter Biography (text screens) • Original Theatrical trailer • Acknowledgements DVD Release Date: March 29th, 2004 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12	Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 . Edition Details: • Audio Commentary with Film Noir Historian Eddie Muller and Susan Andrews • Publicity Gallery • Production Stills Gallery • Unit Photography Gallery • Theatrical Trailer DVD Release Date: March 7th, 2006 Keep Case Chapters: 16

Comments:

ADDITION: Fox - Region 1- February 06': The new Fox Noir release is far superior in every category. Much tighter detail and beside it the older BFI looks contrast boosted. Although it varies - the Fox frame tends to show a shade more - mostly on the top and the left edge. Audio-wise the Fox has included both a stereo and original mono track - they offer optional Spanish subtitles as well as English and the Muller commentary is once again excellent.... and the best news of all - its under $10.00. Fox is really treating us!

****

A softer image than in "Where the Sidewalk Ends", but showing more film grain. I see the image is almost pillar-boxed at 1.28:1... and I don't know the reason. Similar Extras to the other recent Preminger BFI releases (except Carmen Jones). Again good subtitles. No real film blemishes or dirt, but a notch hazier. Still, great to have this on DVD. out of