State of the Union Blu-ray

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "The World and His Wife" or "Frank Capra's State of the Union")

Directed by Frank Capra
USA 1948

"The immortal screen couple Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner) take the lead in this fabulously witty political comedy drama from director Frank Capra (It’s a Wonderful Life), filmed against the background of the 1948 Presidential election.

Wealthy aeroplane manufacturer Grant Matthews is encouraged to become a presidential candidate by his girlfriend, press baron Kay Thorndyke. Forced to publicly reunite with his estranged wife Mary in order to present the illusion of a happy marriage, he comes close to nomination. But, as Grant and Mary realise that political success will mean compromising their principles, Grant has a change of heart.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Harold Lindsay and Russel Crouse (The Sound of Music), and with supporting turns from Angela Lansbury (Gaslight) and Adolphe Menjou (The Sniper), State of the Union is a brilliant blend of political satire and romantic comedy. "

***

Ambitious political satire in which Tracy stars as Grant Matthews, a self-made millionaire manipulated into running for the White House by wily newspaper publisher Kay Thorndyke (Lansbury, playing twice her age and doing fine). Soon, of course, Matthews finds himself compromised by the demands of lobbyists and special interest groups. Putting Capra's sensible-shoes view of politics is Hepburn, cast against type as Mary Matthews, the voice of domestic reason. The role was originally intended for the softer, sweeter Claudette Colbert. And you can tell: 'Oh, that's silly,' she says, 'No woman could ever run for President. She'd have to admit she's over 35.'

Excerpt from Channel4 located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 7th, 1948

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Review: Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		CLICK to order from: Bonus Captures:
Distribution	Indicator - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:02:33.804
Video	1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 41,464,140,050 bytes Feature: 35,802,793,344 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Blu-ray:
Audio	LPCM Audio English 768 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -30dB John Player Lecture: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -30dB
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Indicator 1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 41,464,140,050 bytes Feature: 35,802,793,344 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.94 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Audio commentary with critics and writers Claire Kenny, Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme (2023) • The John Player Lecture with Angela Lansbury (1973), archival audio recording of the celebrated star of film, stage and television in conversation with Rex Reed at London’s National Film Theatre • Lucy Bolton on Angela Lansbury (2023): the academic discusses the life and eventful career of the much-loved performer (29:00) • Original Opening and Closing Credits (2:28) • Original theatrical trailer (2:54) • Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials Limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay on the film, archival interviews with director Frank Capra, archival set reports, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits Blu-ray Release Date: March 27th, 2023 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 16

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (March 2023): Indicator have transferred Frank Capra's State of the Union to Blu-ray. We reviewed the Universal DVD from 2006 HERE. The source remains in excellent condition and the 1080P resolution further improves the digital presentation with more layered contrast, consistent grain and more information in the frame on all four edges. There is also some depth. It's quite a pleasing HD presentation.

NOTE: We have added 38 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. State of the Union has very few aggressive moments. The score is by Victor Young (No Time For Love, Arise My Love, Union Pacific, The Accused, Strategic Air Command, The Sun Shines Bright, Johnny Guitar, China Gate etc.) sounding remarkably clean with consistent dialogue in the uncompressed transfer. Indicator offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new commentary by critics and writers Claire Kenny, Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme. There is a lot on Capra and the cast, the Lindsay / Crouse play with many impressive observations. A great addition. National Treasure is also new and spends 1/2 hour with academic Lucy Bolton discussing the life and eventful career of the much-loved performer Angela Lansbury. While the film runs you can also listen to a John Player Lecture from 1973 with Angela Lansbury. It is an archival audio recording of the celebrated star of film, stage and television in conversation with Rex Reed at London’s National Film Theatre. She's a delight and passed away only last year (2022) at 96-years of age. Indicator include the original opening and closing titles ("Frank Capra's State of the Union"), an original theatrical trailer and their usual image gallery of promotional and publicity materials. The package contains a limited edition exclusive 40-page booklet with a new essay by Raquel Stecher, archival interviews with director Frank Capra, an account of the working relationship and contrasting politics of co-stars Katharine Hepburn and Adolphe Menjou, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits.

Frank Capra's State of the Union is a thought-provoking political satire. It was the second and final film to be made by Capra's own company, Liberty Films, before it dissolved in 1951. Fraud is exposed by the protagonist and, in Capra-esque fashion, the system works. It's a joy and the Indicator Blu-ray is more of their stellar work with strong a/v and extensive extras. An exceptional film and cast; Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Van Johnson, Angela Lansbury, Adolphe Menjou etc. Strongly recommended to vintage film fans.