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directed by Ernst Lubitsch
USA 1932
When thief Gaston Monescu (Herbert Marshall) meets his true love in pickpocket Lily (Miriam Hopkins), they embark on a scam to rob lovely perfume company executive Mariette Colet (Kay Francis). But when Gaston becomes romantically entangled with Mme. Colet, their larcenous ruse is jeopardized and Gaston is forced to choose between two beautiful women. Legendary director Ernst Lubitsch’s masterful touch is in full flower in Trouble in Paradise, a pinnacle of the sophisticated romantic comedy, loaded with sparkling dialogue, witty innuendo, and elegant comic invention. *** This pre-code film is so wonderful. I wish I could articulate all of its charms. Perhaps Ernst Lubitsch's greatest film - and reportedly his own personal favorite of his entire extensively lauded oeuvre. One area that I don't hear too much mention of, and one that I was particularly enamored with, was the exquisite decor and object d'art pieces that filled a lot of scenes - many of which were flirting in the art nouveau and deco classification - gorgeous stuff that really added to the 'feel' of the film. This can stack up against any modern attempt at sophisticated romantic comedy although the sublime 'Lubitsch Touch' makes any comparisons totally unfair. A must-see film! |
Posters
Theatrical Release: 21 October 1932 (USA)
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DVD Comparison:
Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC
Big thanks to Gary Tooze and Eric Cotenas for the Screen Caps!
(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - RIGHT)
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Criterion Collection Spine # 170 Region 0 - NTSC |
Eureka Video Region 2 - NTSC |
Runtime | 1:22:36 | 1:22:18 |
Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Criterion Collection
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Bitrate:
Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema)
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Audio | English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono |
Subtitles | English, none | English SDH, none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 24 |
Release Information: Studio: Eureka Video Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD Release Date: November
12th, 2012 Chapters 7 |
Comments |
Eureka's HD-mastered dual-layer, progressive NTSC "Masters of Cinema" transfer is not a massive upgrade over Criterion's 2003 transfer, but it is sharper and reveals slivers of additional picture information on the sides. There are occasional white spots and scratches, but the image is very clean (although the film is a masterpiece, I doubt it received the same kind of restoration that Universal did for their Paramount Hitchcock acquisitions). The Dolby Digital 2.0 mono audio is in very good condition, and optional English subtitles are included (but only for the English dialogue; the few instances of Spanish, German, and Italian are neither transcribed or translated).
Clearly, Criterion's disc has the edge in extras with an audio commentary by Lubitsch scholar Scott Eyman, a radio dramatization of the source play, a German silent short from Lubitsch, and additional context in the form of a booklet. Eureka does offer a very loose discussion about Lubtitsch and the film between film critics Kent Jones and Dan Sallitt which could have used some prompting or scripting. Eureka's own booklet - mentioned in the press release - was not included for review. ABOUT THE CRITERION VERSION: The image quality is most
definitely in the weaker half of Criterion's extensive library,
but it should be noted that the elements that Universal
(Paramount acquisitions held by Universal/MCA) have sold off,
are not in pristine condition. But I watched this on a tube and
it looked marvelous, but as you can see by the captures it is
not excessively sharp or detailed. |
DVD Menus
(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC -
LEFT vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC -
RIGHT)
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Screen Captures
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TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC -
BOTTOM)
Subtitle sample
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(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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(Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Eureka Video (Masters of Cinema) - Region 2 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
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