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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed
by Phil Karlson
USA 1952
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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. *** 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
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Theatrical Release: 28 November 1952, USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
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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!
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP LEFT2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL TOP MIDDLE3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC TOP RIGHT 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC BOTTOM LEFT 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTON SECOND6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM THIRD7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM RIGHT
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| Distribution |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
Sony / BMG - Region 0 - PAL |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
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Bonus Captures:
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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 |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
Disc Size: 23,223,544,901 bytes Feature Size: 22,679,894,016 bytes Average Bitrate: 28.37 MbpsSingle-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 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| 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:
Edition Details: Keep case Chapters 32
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Release Information: Edition Details:
• Catalogues of films
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Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
• One pge Liner Notes by Eddie Muller Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Alpha, Gotham Distribution Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: August 27, 2002 Chapters 5 |
Release Information: Studio: TreeLine Films Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: June 1, 2004 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 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080P
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date: February 15th, 2011 |
Release Information: Studio: Rimini Editions Disc Size: 23,088,888,345 bytes Feature Size: 20,479,574,016 bytes Average Bitrate: 24.00 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video 1080
Edition Details: Booklet (in French)
Blu-ray
Release Date: July 16th, 2019 |
| 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 Death, Inferno, Silver City, The Fly, Denver and Rio Grande, Voyage 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. |
Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the
American Style by Alain Silver, Elizabeth Ward |
The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir by Foster Hirsch |
Somewhere in the Night: Film Noir and the American City by Nicholas Christopher |
Film Noir Reader 4 : The Crucial Films and Themes
(Film Noir Reader) by Alain Silver |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
The Little Black and White Book of Film Noir:
Quotations from Films of the 40's and 50's by Peg Thompson, Saeko Usukawa |
Film Noir by Alain Silver |
DVD Menus
(MGM - Region 1- NTSC LEFT vs. Sony/BMG - Region 0 -PAL RIGHT)
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(Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC -
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MIDDLEd vs.
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HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) MGM - Region 1- NTSC TOP2) Sony/BMG - Region 0 - PAL 2nd3) Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC 3rd 4) Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC 4th 5) TreeLine Films - Region 0 - NTSC - 5th6) HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray - 6th7) Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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More full resolution (1920X1080) Blu-ray Captures for Patreon Supporters HERE
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Glossies
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Report Card:
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Image: |
Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
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Sound: |
Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
| Extras: | Image Entertainment |
| DVD Box Covers |
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| Distribution |
MGM Region 1 - NTSC |
Sony / BMG - Region 0 - PAL |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
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Bonus Captures:
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Alpha,
Gotham Distribution Region 0 - NTSC |
TreeLine Films Region 0 - NTSC |
HD Cinema Classics - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Rimini Editions - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...
