This Woman is Dangerous - Joan Crawford

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

Directed by Felix E. Feist
USA 1952

This woman is tough. This woman is smart. This woman is Joan Crawford. This Woman Is Dangerous. Who else but Crawford could portray a criminal mastermind and a glamour gal? In this gritty melodrama, the silver-screen legend stars as Beth Austin, the brains behind a skilled robbery crew. She’s also the inamorata of callous killer and fellow gang member Matt (David Brian) – until a medical emergency sends Beth to a hospital and into the arms of a handsome, compassionate doctor (Dennis Morgan). Can Beth leave the past behind? Not if Matt – armed and crazed with jealousy – can help it. He wants Beth back. And he wants the doctor dead.

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Theatrical Release: February 9th, 1952

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DVD Review: Warner Home Video (Warner Archive Collection) - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Warner Home Video Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:37:09
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.5 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 2.0)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Archive Advert (:59) • Trailer (1:39) DVD Release Date: March 23rd, 2009 Keep Case Chapters: 10

Comments:

As good a 'title' as you are likely to find in Noir but the film itself is less salacious than the femme fatale moniker. The melodrama is reasonably high throughout with dragon-lady Crawford as a lady gangster who's eyes are operated on because she is going blind (read 'vulnerable') but who finds modest redemption and true love with the performing surgeon (Dennis Morgan). My my...

It's another single-layered, interlaced (see last capture), DVD-R treatment that, aside from the combing, looks very strong. Good contrast and black levels can be so pitch they almost look boosted - but aren't. There is even grain in a few shots. Detail is exceptional for DVD-R and the print used is remarkably clean (no damage or scratches).

As usual, no subtitles - and, unremarkable but consistent 2.0 channel sound. Extras consist a 1.5-minute trailer and the Archive advert that starts the disc presentation.

What appealed to me most here is DoP Ted McCord's cinematography. There are plenty of very cool shots utilizing shadows and conversations viewed through objects. This brings the Noir rating a bit higher IMO. All-in-all it's pretty decent vintage Warner crime, booze and thug hi-jinks - one of Crawford's last, and least liked by the actress, in a long contract with the studio. There is a lot to like enjoy though for fans...