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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Melvin Frank + Norman Panama
USA
1954

 

Danny Kaye (Knock on Wood) headlines this wacky WWII comedy… he plays a timid American soldier who bears a striking resemblance to a famous British Colonel. The Military Intelligence decides to use the poor chap as a pawn and recruit the naive soldier to impersonate the legendary Colonel, who’s highly targeted by the Nazi assassins. Co-starring Dana Wynter as the Colonel’s suspicious wife, Diana Dors as the Colonel’s personal driver and mistress and Wilfrid Hyde White as the Colonel overseeing the mission. This zany action-comedy with classic Danny Kaye routines was directed by Melville Shavelson (The Five Pennies).

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 19th, 1961

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DVD Review: Olive Films - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

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Distribution Olive Films - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime 1:32:03 
Video 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.73 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 1.0) 
Subtitles None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Olive Films

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1

Edition Details:

• none 

DVD Release Date: March 8th, 201
1
Keep Case
Chapters: 8

 

Comments:

Olive Films is handling another Paramount release and another Danny Kaye film - and he is great in this. This is one of his last in a career of similar comedy features like The Five Pennies, The Court Jester, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Knock on Wood. On the Double draws well on his strengths and talents and I have yet to see one of his films that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.

Like previous Olive Film DVDs this is dual-layered, progressive and bare-bones. On the Double is anamorphically transferred in the original 2.35 aspect ratio. It looks acceptable, if modest, with some variance in the image quality of a few scenes and there is some minor dirt showing. Contrast seems a little muddy. I imagine that the weaknesses relate directly to the un-restored source. Without getting overly picky - this transfer provides a reasonable SD presentation.  

The unremarkable audio is flat mono but everything is consistent and dialogue clear. As stated there are no subtitles, nor extras - not even a trailer or any subtitles.

Like many film fans I love the talented Danny Kaye. I frequently revisit The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - which is my favorite. I have never had the opportunity to see On the Double before and it is predictably, addictive fun. Kaye is the big appeal here - a film that wasn't previously available on DVD - and now you can watch, throughout the years, in the comfort of your own home.    

Gary W. Tooze

 



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DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution Olive Films - Region 1 - NTSC



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