After Warner's, constantly improving, Forbidden Hollywood Pre-Code DVD packages (Vol. 1, Vol. 2 + Vol. 3) fans voices and enthusiasm for more have echoed to Universal's ears (and vaults). This is fabulous news.

This package has 3 dual-layered discs sharing two Pre-Hayes Code  features each from the early 30's - The Cheat + Merrily We Go to Hell on disc 1, Hot Saturday + Torch Singer on disc 2 and Murder at the Vanities + Search for Beauty covering disc 3. There is only a short 10-minute bonus feature documentary Forbidden Film - The Production Code Era placed on disc 1. But while the supplements are limited with no commentaries - the level of un-censored onscreen activity (including nudity) is surprisingly, and amusingly, high. The transfers image quality suffer from their age of the films but are all progressive, coded for region 1 and in the NTSC standard. The package itself, has separate holders compartments (no overlapping) in a three-tired digipack. All six films have original English mono and optional English close-captioned, Spanish, or French, subtitles.

Aside from The Cheat these don't vary much in quality with all the expected weaknesses of slight damage, contrast fluctuation and lack of pristine detail. The oldest entry (The Cheat) is pretty rough but as you give yourself over to the source inferiorities it remains very watchable. In comparison Merrily We Go To Hell, on the same disc, looks far superior. Those purchasing are probably not expecting much better although I'd say these are on-par with Warner's output (image-wise) or perhaps a small notch below. They tend to look a bit darker  to my eye.  The light blemishes and digital compromises seem to instill the nostalgic kitsch I was feeling while watching the Forbidden Hollywood sets. Noise is fairly even and appears as heavy grain - I like this aspect. I can't complain too much as I don't expect to see them look any better - in my lifetime. I hope the screen captures below give you a fair idea. I'm sure they look far better than the PD editions that occasionally surface. The audio is equally as degraded over time. One should keep in mind that these films are at least 75 years old each and premium sound quality was not at a high level when the films were initially shown theatrically. There are slight to heavier hiss instances but it wasn't anything that I would consider fatal to my viewing pleasure.

Supplements consist of only one 10-minute featurette that serves as a decent introduction to this 'genre'. I recall that Warner's first kick-at-the-can for Pre-code was limited as well in this area but grew as they found sales escalate. Let's hope Universal follows suit with more Pre-code packages eventually stacked with commentaries and informative featurettes.

I almost forgot - you also get the 20-page 'Code' in an envelope.   

The appeal of Pre-code's continued for myself following right behind Warner's recent Vol. 3 from a couple of week's back. It's great to recognize the stars, Cary Grant, Lupino, Crabbe, Colbert, Sylvia Sidney, Randolph Scott and Frederic March. These are ALL good films with the most 'shocking' Search for Beauty' probably being the best (I'd definitely show to friends on a film night!), but I had some real fun with Torch Singer and Hot Saturday too. Despite the lack of extra features this is a winner giving abundant pleasure and we strongly recommend!        

Gary W. Tooze