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 S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Mitchell Leisen
USA 1937

 

Unmistakably scripted by Preston Sturges (stout tycoon falls down stairs; 'I see you're down early today, sir' remarks the imperturbable butler), this irresistible screwball comedy with a dash of Wall Street satire has the penniless Arthur and the pompous Arnold meet cute when his wife's fur coat (thrown out of the window in a marital spat) falls on her head. Subsequently assumed to be the tycoon's mistress and encouraged to live on credit in an extravagance beyond anyone's wildest dreams, she is brought down from her cloud by falling for the poor boy met in an automat diner (Milland), who ironically turns out in best fairytale tradition to be the tycoon's son. Directed by Leisen with his airy elegance, his infallible eye for decor (the outrageous splendours of the hotel suite in which Arthur is installed have to be seen to be believed), and injections of slapstick which must have given Sturges ideas when he came to direct his own movies (in particular the custard-pie food riot in the automat), it is a delight.

Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guide located HERE

 

A grumpy millionaire (Edward Arnold) throws his wife's coat out the window, and it lands on the shoulders of a humble working girl (Jean Arthur). As her friends accept the symbol over substance, she steps up the social ladder, and eventually into the arms of Arnold's son, Ray Milland. Preston Sturges wrote this Depression-era (1937) twist on the Cinderella story, and it acquires an airy grace from the direction of Mitchell Leisen.

Excerpt from Dave Kehr at the Chicago Reader located HERE.

Promo

Theatrical Release: July 7th, 1937

Reviews                                                                          More Reviews                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Universal - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

NOTE: Universal are released 4 vintage comedies on DVD in 2008:

 
Runtime 1:28:15  1:28:02.860 
Video 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 8.54 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,623,774,363 bytes

Feature: 22,144,530,432 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29,93 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:

Bitrate: Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital mono) 

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles English (SDH), French, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Universal

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Robert Osborne Introduction (1:59)

DVD Release Date: April 22nd, 2008
Double-lock Keep Case 
Chapters: 17

Release Information:

Studio: Kino

Aspect Ratio:- 1.33:1

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,623,774,363 bytes

Feature: 22,144,530,432 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29,93 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video



Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Kat Ellinger
• Trailers
 

Blu-ray Release Date: July 23rd, 2019
Standard Blu-ray Case
Chapters: 8

 

Comments:

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

 

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (August 2019): Kin o go single-layered with a high bitrate for Mitchell Leisen's 1937 Screwball Comedy "Easy Living" from Preston Surges' screenplay. It is from the same source as the 2008 DVD but the higher resolution produces a far superior image. Contrast is more layered but overall the image appears lighter. The 1080P showcases the grain and textures more consistently. There is some contrast flickering, usually at the end of scenes, but it is, mostly, imperceptible in-motion. The visuals looked quite fetching on Blu-ray.

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. Dialogue is a bit scattered as per the production quality. There is no credited score but we do have music from Friedrich Hollaender (A Foreign Affair, Caught, Berlin Express, Background to Danger, The Verdict), Victor Young (I Walk Alone, Strategic Air Command, The Sun Shines Bright, The Accused, Johnny Guitar, China Gate etc.), Gregory Stone (Jivaro, Girls' School, Her Jungle Love) and Gordon Jenkins. It's lively and full of energy. Kino offer optional English subtitles (see sample) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

We get another informative audio commentary by the go-to-girl for high value, Kat Ellinger who talks a lot about Mitchell Leisen and his other contributions (Jean Arthur's hair design, sets etc.), his negative reputation according to others (including Billy Wilder, Preston Sturges) and plenty on performers Jean Arthur, Edward Arnold, Ray Milland as well as the peripheral players; Luis Alberni, William Demarest and others. It is a great addition for fans of this era. There is also some trailers - but none for the feature.

Easy Living as a few things going for it - it's another fast paced Screwball Comedy with great dialogue, it has the impressive Art Deco set design, wonderful Jean Arthur... and the Blu-ray has a film-like image with an insightful commentary..  This is a couple of years outside of the Pre-Code but it has some much appeal for vintage cinema fans. Strongly recommended! 

Gary Tooze

***

Although only a few years older than The Major and the Minor - this titles really shows some inferiority in terms of visual presentation with plenty of light scratches, speckles and compression artifacts. It is still dual-layered and has a strong bitrate but the noise/dirt ratio is quite high. It is certainly watchable but it might be prudent not to expect any extensive restoration.... as it hasn't taken place that I can see.

The unremarkable audio does the job with a few softened crackles. There are optional English or Spanish subtitles if desired. Extras are sparse - a 2 minute intro by TCM host Robert Osborne and away you go with the film. Another Sturges-written gem with plenty of screwball energy - Jean Arthur is a delight. Despite the limited appearance, you won't be disappointed at this price. Recommended for the very high film value.

Gary W. Tooze

 

DVD Menus

 

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Subtitle Sample

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

1) Universal - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

More Blu-ray Captures

Box Cover

 

Distribution Universal Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

  

NOTE: Universal are releasing 4 vintage comedies on April 22nd:

 




 

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