Midnight Lace - Doris Day

Directed by David Miller
USA 1960

Although its theatrical origins (Janet Green's Matilda Shouted Fire) aren't exactly disguised, this is a smoothly efficient variation on the 'frightened lady' thriller. Just married to English businessman Harrison, Day's the American in London progressively unraveling after threatening anonymous phone calls and voices in the fog. Perhaps surprisingly for an actress who always seemed to keep plenty in reserve, her hysteria's pretty full-on, and the taut screenplay keeps up the pressure with a string of worthy suspects (wheedling McDowall, scheming Marshall, disturbed war vet Gavin). Suavely effective, with extra fun spotting the joins between the authentic location work featuring Dotty's stand-in, and the star herself back in Burbank on the least convincing London street this side of The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Excerpt from TJ review at TimeOut Film Guide located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: October 13th, 1960

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DVD Review: Universal - Region 2 - PAL

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Universal Home Video - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:43:28
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.54 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Universal Home Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: May 8th, 2006 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments:

We have seen sharper single-layered transfers from Universal UK but this progressive effort is at least acceptable if a shade on the dirty side. I'd much prefer it a bit dark than artificially boosted, but colors are still on the dull side. Contrast is fairly good and I have no reason to believe the film didn't look similar in its initial theatrical run. There are optional English subtitles (well done) but no supplements.

Perhaps an overused term - but the film is aptly described as 'Hitchcock-like'. Some of Day's frenetic performance is culled from some unhappy real life experiences. This is a pretty good thriller with all the pieces in place if a little too much emphasis on the perpetrators 'surprise' identity.

Gary W. Tooze

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