Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (both):

Audio:

LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Guardian Interviews:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Bitrate:

***

Millionaire Cecil Fox (Harrison) feigns terminal illness in an attempt to trick three of his former mistresses and find out which of them really cares for him rather his money. The women soon come to his bedside, but what was intended as a wily scheme soon becomes serious as one of his former lovers attempts to give nature a helping hand...

Directed by acclaimed film-maker Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve), this comedy re-working of 'Volpone' stars the great Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady), Susan Hayward (Valley of the Dolls) and Cliff Robertson (Obsession).

 

 

Excerpt from TimeOut located HERE

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

The single-layered Kino Lorber Blu-ray of The Honey Pot is transferred in 1080P. It doesn't look particularly remarkable but definitely superior to SD. Detail is acceptable and there is depth. Nothing is overly crisp though. Some colors are rich and deep and contrast is supportive. The source is reasonably clean, with a few very light scratches. This Blu-ray gave me a watchable, consistent, viewing presentation in regards to the picture quality.

Like the other Kino->Signal One Blu-ray comparisons we've done (On the Beach, Hidden Agenda, Cherry 2000, River's Edge) we can see a pattern where the UK is a shade darker (in this case warmer skin tones) and minutely more technically robust. It looks pretty solid (also single-layered and 1080P) - rich colors and excellent in-motion and still shows the good textures.

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

1) Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Signal One (subtitle sample) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

1) Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kino Lorber use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel track at 1556 kbps in the original English language. There aren't many effects at all in the film - very little in the way of aggression. Dialogue comes through flat but consistent and audible. The score is by John Addison (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, The Neanderthal Man) and subtly supports the film's humor and attractive women. There are no subtitles offered and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked.

Signal One again go linear PCM - this time mono and it does sound a bit less deep but the Addison score sounds lovely, if, predictably flat. The UK transfer offers optional English (SDH) subtitles and is region 'B'-locked.

Extras :

 

Kino Lorber - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

Signal One - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

BOTTOM LINE:
I must say - I was pretty impressed with The Honey Pot. It was better than I expected - very fun with enjoyable performances. The Honey Pot was Mankiewicz's final screenplay and suffers from being a little too clever with mixed pace. The bare-bones Kino Lorber Blu-ray is standard for them - a decent, 1080P providing a reasonably good HD presentation. Well above-average film, imperfect but better than one might expect. Recommended!

In this repeat viewing I was appreciating Cliff Robertson and some of the gals. It's still a good film - very fun and worth re-visitation. For the record, Signal One Blu-ray is the definitive release, and region 'B'-ers who are interested should be very pleased with the package. One again, the film is recommended!  

Gary Tooze

August 26th, 2015

November 24th, 2015