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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (April 2023): Kino have transferred Frank Tuttle's Lucky Jordan to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Fine Grain". The image is clean with decently layered contrast - it's quite thick and textured. There are instances of depth and I would say the single-layered transfer with supportive bitrate is a positive one.

NOTE: We have added 46 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Lucky Jordan's track is clean and has few aggressive moments (rifle fire, physical conflicts etc.) that come through with effective depth. There is a score by Adolph Deutsch (The Maltese Falcon, High Sierra, Ramrod, The Apartment, Across the Pacific) adding marginally to the drama in the lossless transfer. Kino offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film historian Samm Deighan. She talks about this being Ladd's first real leading role, the overlaps and collaborations with Tuttle and Ladd, and how Lucky Jordan has been out of the conversation for a while. She observes noir and spy tropes as well as WW2 propaganda. Samm's always good and has researched the film well and make astute comments on Alan Ladd and his career. There is also a trailer for Lucky Jordan and a few other Ladd films. There is a reversible sleeve (see below.)

Frank Tuttle's Lucky Jordan was based on Charles Leonard's original screenplay, Prelude to Glory, about a gangster serving in the army. Lucky Jordan was the first film role of Helen Walker (also in two favorite dark cinema gems; Impact, and Nightmare Alley.) The briefcase carried by 'Lucky' was also used by Alan Ladd when he played Raven in This Gun for Hire (where Ladd received fourth billing - however his performance made him a star.) Ladd reportedly, considered the briefcase prop a good luck charm. Fans always enjoy seeing Ladd in a crime melodrama as a gangster taking on spies. Lucky Jordan is not at the height of his Lake-Ladd Noirs but full of his tough-guy charisma. The Kino Blu-ray offers a pleasing 1080P presentation with a worthwhile optional commentary by Deighan. It is 28% OFF at the writing of this review.

Gary Tooze