Close-Up - Virginia Gilmore

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

directed by Jack Donohue
USA 1948

Without realizing it, two newsreel reporters took pictures of a surviving nazi-leader in front of a bank, while filming fashion mannequins in the streets of New York. The German, who was thought to have died during the war, was inquiring if he could recuperate a large sum of money. He needs it, to be able to continue Hitler's dream after the dictator's death. He is helped by a criminal gang, which is only in it for a slice of the money, not for political reasons. Hal Ericson's description in the All Movie Guide of the gang as being a "secret neo-nazi gang" is therefor incorrect. The gang will make several attempts to recuperate the film and its negatives, including by kidnapping one of the reporters. The boss of the two reporters however discovers whose face has been captured on the newsreel, and contacts the authorities.

The problem with this rare B movie is that it just can't decide whether it wants to be a kind of political thriller, a crime movie or some kind of comedy. The final result therefore isn't very bright, without being terrible at the same time.

Excerpt of review from Benoit Vanhees for imdb.com located HERE

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Theatrical Release: 3 April 1948 (New York City)

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DVD Review: Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the Review!

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Alpha Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:13:42
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.40 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	Dolby Digital Mono (English)
Subtitles	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Alpha Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Trailers for Alpha New Cinema releases (5:03) DVD Release Date: July 31st, 2012 Keep case Chapters 7

Comments

Another lost film noir is rescued from obscurity by Alpha. Per their usual standards, the DVD is sourced from interlaced 16mm print (see oversized cue mark capture below). There is much damage on the print, lines running throughout and very bright whites in the daytime scenes. Nighttime scenes fare a bit better.

The mono soundtrack is likewise full of problems, including distortion in some scenes with especially poor film elements. The film starts with Alpha's logo over the titles that goes away during the film proper. The only extra is some trailers for Alpha's New Cinema releases. This is not some lost film noir classic, but still a welcome release considering until now, the film was near impossible to see.

- Gregory Meshman

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