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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (February 2025): Indicator have transferred Ranald MacDougall's Queen Bee to Blu-ray. Gregory reviewed this on DVD back in 2012, HERE as part of TCM's Joan Crawford in the 1950s set. We've compared some captures below and the result proves the 1080P to be effectively superior with around 5X the bitrate. There is vastly improved layered contrast, some depth exported and rich black levels. The textures are highly pleasing. Kudos to cinematography by Charles Lang (The Uninvited, A Foreign Affair, Sudden Fear, Separate Tables, Some Like It Hot etc.) Another great looking Indicator vintage film to Blu-ray.  

NOTE: We have added 44 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Queen Bee has no demonstratively / aggressive moments or extravagant sound effects. The brooding score was by George Duning (Houseboat, Harriet Craig, Zombies of the Mora Tau. Two Rode Together, The Eddy Duchin Story, 3:10 to Yuma, Jeanne Eagels, The Shadow on the Window, My Sister Eileen, The Mob, Affair in Trinidad, Tight Spot, Johnny O'Clock, The Dark Past, Convicted, and Between Midnight and Dawn etc.) which adds layers to the narrative. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Little White Lies editor David Jenkins. He cites Queen Bee as the first of three films Joan Crawford made with Columbia in the 1950s. The others being Robert Aldrich's Autumn Leaves and David Miller's The Story of Esther Costello. He talks about Joan Crawford's desire for higher quality source material, and he makes some keen observations - great job! Also new is A Sting in the Tale spending 18-minutes with academic and film historian Lies Lanckman (Stars, Fan Magazines and Audiences: Desire by Design) who discusses the making of the film and its place within Crawford’s filmography. Fit for a Queen is also new and is a 20-minute video piece with film historian and curator Nathalie Morris (The Cinema of Powell and Pressburger: Romantic Imaginations) who explores the career of iconic Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis (A Star Is Born, Pal Joey, Judgment at Nuremberg, Back Street, Gambit,) with a special focus on his work at Columbia Pictures from 1944 to 1960. Indicator include an original theatrical trailer and two image galleries; the French photonovel and promotional and publicity material. The package has a limited edition exclusive 32-page booklet with a new essay by Imogen Sara Smith (In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City,) an account of the film’s production featuring archival interviews with Joan Crawford, an overview of critical responses, and film credits.

Ranald MacDougall's Queen Bee is more of dominating Joan Crawford whose character is described as a "queen bee who stings all her competitors to death". Yes, Mrs. Unlikeable's venom is particularly potent spreading her socialite dysfunction devoid of any hint of Southern Gothic charm. MacDougall (director of The World, the Flesh, and the Devil) was the screenwriter of Mildred Pierce. He knows. Jealous and overdressed, Joan spreads her meanness wide; "My, Carol, you look so sweet. Even in those tacky, old riding clothes." Bitterness abounds. It's glorious. Like Harriet Craig, Queen Bee is premium Joan Crawford - loved and hated by many. Both can enjoy Indicator's strong Blu-ray with new expert commentary, interviews, booklet and the best the film has looked and sounded on digital to date. Easy recommendation.

Gary Tooze