Daisy Kenyon Joan Crawford Henry Fonda

Directed by Otto Preminger
USA 1947

A high-40s women's picture, with Joan Crawford as a fashion designer torn between two lovers--calculating Dana Andrews and wholesome Henry Fonda (1947). Otto Preminger, the slightly miscast director, sets the choice up like a murder trial, carefully balancing the arguments on both sides. His sober approach and his fluid camera style do much to redeem the material, for which he has no apparent sympathy. It's a Preminger film purely by accident, but it is a fine example of studio craft.

Excerpt of Dave Kehr's review at The Chicago Reader located HERE

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Theatrical Release: December 25th, 1947

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DVD Review: 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	20th Century Fox (Fox Film Noir - # 23) - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:39:00
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.77 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	English (Dolby Digital mono)
Subtitles	English, French, Spanish, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: 20th Century Fox Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Foster Hirsch • Featurette: From Journeyman to Artists; Otto Preminger at Fox (21:14) • Documentary - Life in the Shadows - the Making of Daisy Kenyon (16:08) • Pressbook (interactive) • Stills gallery • Original theatrical trailer DVD Release Date: March 11th, 2008 Keep Case Chapters: 20

Comments:

Of the three latest Fox Film Noirs (with Black Widow and Dangerous Crossing) Daisy Kenyon has the weakest image. Now the film is older by a few years but regardless the detail is less than stellar and contrast is a bit muddier at times. Day lit sequences seem acceptable but low-lit scenes show some noise. Overall, it is progressive and dual-layered - and it is certainly very watchable. The screen grabs below should give you an idea of what to expect. The mono audio is also imperfect but I have no specific 'pop' or 'hiss' instances to complain about. There are optional English, Spanish or French subtitles, in a yellow font, supporting the dialogue.

We are given an expert commentary by Foster Hirsch (author of The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir and Detours and Lost Highways: A Map of Neo-Noir) who discusses a lot of Preminger, Dana Andrews and everyone involved in the film. It really is a pleasure listening to such a knowledgeable person discuss Daisy Kenyon with such calm depth. There is a 20 minute featurette entitled From Journeyman to Artists: Otto Preminger at Fox with more good conversation and another 16 minute documentary - Life in the Shadows - the Making of Daisy Kenyon. There is an interactive pressbook, and a stills gallery and the original theatrical trailer (No isolated score as in the other two Noirs). Great film - great performances and another total gem of a Noir DVD. No one does them better than Fox!