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

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (June 2024): Indicator have transferred George King's The Shop at Sly Corner to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New restoration from a 4K scan by Powerhouse Films". It takes a welcome leap over the 2008 PAL DVD that we reviewed HERE. The 1080P image quality is significantly stronger losing the cue-blips, speckles, vertical scratches and damage marks (see samples below.) It's another appreciated upgrade with rich black levels, more information in the 1.37:1 frame (mostly on the left edge) and an impressive improvement in detail, depth and contrast - resulting in a highly pleasing HD presentation. 

NOTE: We have added 34 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. The Shop at Sly Corner has few demonstrative scenes of violence. It is overall authentically flat but clear. The score was by Greek / Italian George Melachrino (No Orchids for Miss Blandish, Appointment With Crime, Eight O'Clock Walk) adding atmosphere in the lossless transfer. Melachrino accomplished on the violin, viola, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. Playing during the film are Franz Schubert's Ave Maria and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64. No issues with the audio transfer. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film historian Josephine Botting (Adrian Brunel and British Cinema of the 1920s: The Artist versus the Moneybags) and critic Phuong Le. They discuss George King, Oscar Homolka, the score by George Melachrino, the noirish atmosphere, how closely the film resembles the play (that ran for 864 performances,) that actor Kenneth Griffith (as Archie Fellowes) was one who transitioned from being in the play to being in the film, and much more. It's a very good commentary - they work well together - making observations and imparting information. We also get more than 1/2 hour of Jonathan Rigby on Oscar Homolka. It is a new video piece with the film historian delving into the life and career of the prolific Austrian actor who by the age of 30, he had appeared in more than 400 plays and his film career covered at least 100 films and Television appearances. Included is a 2009 conversation with Muriel Pavlow, who played the violin-playing daughter Margaret Heiss. The actress's mother was French and her father Russian. It is a filmed interview in which the British actor discusses her career with Josephine Botting at London’s National Film Theatre. Lastly are an image gallery of promotional and publicity materials plus the package has a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Steve Chibnall (co-author of The British 'B' Film), archival interviews and articles, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.

George King's The Shop at Sly Corner is considered British noir - identified with 369 other films in Michael F. Keaney's British Film Noir Guide. Our emigrant protagonist, who served time at Devil's Island, fences stolen jewels in his back-alley antique store and is now being... blackmailed. His only concern is his daughter Margaret (Pavlow) who he encourages to become a professional concert violinist. She is unaware of his illegalities. The Shop at Sly Corner was the debut of Diana Dors (Yield to the Night) playing the girlfriend of a unscrupulous blackmailer (Kenneth Griffith.) Cinematography by Hone Glendinning (The Frightened Lady, Shadow of the Past, Three Steps in the Dark, The Scarlet Web, Forbidden) adds to the shadowy 'dark cinema' presence. The Shop at Sly Corner has plenty of appeal and the Indicator Blu-ray advances the digital quality, includes a new commentary, an appreciation, interview and booklet. An easily recommendation. 

Gary Tooze