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The Old Dark House [Blu-ray]
(James Whale, 1932)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Universal Pictures Video: Cohen Media Group / Masters of Cinema - Spine # 187
Disc: Region: FREE / Region 'B' (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player)Runtime: 1:12:01.942 / 1:12:22.046Disc Size: 31,802,053,248 bytes / 33,001,077,475 bytes Feature Size: 23,779,596,288 bytes / 21,593,054,784 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 Mbps / 34.96 Mbps Chapters: 8 / 10 Case: Transparent Blu-ray case / Limited Edition O-Card Release date: October 24th, 2017 / May 21st, 2018
Video (both): Aspect ratio: 1.37:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit Commentaries:
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps /
24-bit
LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps /
24-bit
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles (both): English (SDH), none
Extras: • Feature length audio commentary by actor Gloria Stuart• Feature length audio commentary by James Whale biographer James Curtis (James Whale: A New World Of Gods And Monsters) • Interview with director Curtis Harrington on the rediscovery of this once thought-lost film (7:09) • Daughter of Frankenstein - Sara Karloff and Dean Otto on The Old Dark House and Boris Karloff (14:45) • re-release trailer (1:57)
•
An exclusive video essay by critic and filmmaker David
Cairns (37:57) DVD
Bitrates:
Description: From the director of Frankenstein, a group of stranded travelers stumble upon a strange old house, and find themselves at the mercy of the highly eccentric, and potentially dangerous, Femm family. This well-performed, atmospheric thriller features the first starring horror role for Boris Karloff, as the hulking, disfigured butler. Based on the novel Benighted (1927) by J. B. Priestley. The Cohen Film Collection is proud to present this stunning new 4K restoration.
The Film: William Porterhouse (Charles Laughton); and Porterhouse's no-better-than-she-ought-to-be lady friend Gladys DuCane (Lillian Bond). Under the baleful eyes of ungracious, atheistic host Horace Femm (Ernst Thesiger) and Horace's religious-zealot sister Rebecca (Eva Moore), the group sits around conversing, slowly coming to the realization that first impressions are most deceiving. Normally, that would be the whole story -- except that the old dark house contains a dark secret involving 101-year-old Sir Roderick Femm (played by "John Dudgeon," actually an actress named Elspeth Dudgeon) and pyromaniac Saul Femm (Brember Wills). Lumbering ominously throughout the proceedings is top-billed Boris Karloff, who plays Morgan, the mute, alcoholic family butler (the opening credits felt obligated to tell 1932 filmgoers that, yes, this was the same Karloff who'd portrayed the Monster in the previous season's Frankenstein). Directed with sinister verve by James Whale and brimming with unforgettable dialogue, The Old Dark House is one of the most enjoyable and least formulaic of the Universal "scare" pictures of the early 1930s. The film was based on J.B. Priestley's Benighted, although Priestley's hero dies in the book and does not in the film (this appears to have been a last-minute decision -- and a wise one). Long thought lost, The Old Dark House was rediscovered in the early 1970s; copyright problems with the lukewarm 1963 remake kept it off television until 1994, at which time a sparkling new print was struck, replacing the washed-out dupes with which film buffs were all too familiar. Excerpt from B+N located HERE
It doesn't take long to develop a sense of déjà vu. A group of
travelers, caught in the kind of torrential downpour that's most often
seen in the movies, seek shelter in a gothic mansion that's populated by
a group of oddly hospitable weirdoes. After a night filled with
unnerving banter, dark family secrets, and, of course, attempted murder,
the travelers retreat to their cars. There's even a psychotic relative
locked in an upper room, but revealing much more than that would spoil
the fun.
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Old Dark House arrives on Blu-ray from Cohen Media and the 4K-restoration looks magnificent. The 1080P strikes a perfect balance between the lush, consistent grain textures and the superb contrast. This pre-code Gothic-esque-aura film is on a dual-layered transfer with a max'ed out bitrate and the HD visuals significantly advance the viewing experience. There are some minor speckles but detail, in the film's many close-ups is so impressive. The darkness of the film's scenes never overwhelms the visuals - nor is there any flaring. In short - it looks splendid with only a handful of imperfect instances although always maintaining the film's evocative ambience. This Blu-ray video is immensely impressive - the restoration will get plenty of mention in our year-end poll.
Masters of Cinema utilize the same Cohen Media Group 4K restoration but it looks slightly darker and may show more grain texture. I actually like the darker look but most may not notice - you can see differences in the four matched screen captures below. It looks equally as impressive.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :The audio is transferred via a linear PCM (24-bit). This is an early talkie and dialogue is, predictably imperfect - hollow and less even. There is mood music in the opening and there is Singin' in the Rain sung by Melvyn Douglas a cappella, with modified lyrics, Oh! Mr. Porter improvised on by Melvyn Douglas, The Roast Beef of Old England performed by Charles Laughton. There is some pleasing bass. There is also a simple Dolby surround effort as an option. There are optional English subtitles (sample above) in a large white font and m y Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE playable worldwide.
Masters of Cinema also use linear PCM - in straight 1.0 channel mono - also 24-bit. My ears can't distinguish much difference from the Cohen and the UK disc also has optional English subtitles but their Blu-ray disc is Region 'B'-locked.
Extras : Cohen add two commentaries - an older one with actor Gloria Stuart ('Margaret' in the film) who passed in 2010 - some reminiscing/recalling but generally a light and enjoyable listen. We also get a deeper one with James Whale biographer James Curtis (James Whale: A New World Of Gods And Monsters) who has plenty of details, isn't overly-dry and I could appreciate the education. Great additions. There is a 7-minute interview with director Curtis Harrington on the rediscovery of this once thought-lost film - he describes his relationship with Whale and efforts to archive this important film - he's another guy I like to listen to. Daughter of Frankenstein has Sara Karloff and Speed Art Museum curator Dean Otto who both discuss The Old Dark House and Boris Karloff. It runs for 1/4 hour. There is also a re-release trailer and liner note booklet.
Masters of Cinema include the same commentary by Gloria Stuart and a second one with commentary by James Whale biographer James Curtis, the and archival interview with Curtis Harrington Saves The Old Dark House about the director's efforts to save The Old Dark House at a time when it was considered a lost film plus a re-release trailer and the 1/4 hour Daughter of Frankenstein interview with Sara Karloff by Speed Art Museum curator Dean Otto. But Masters of Cinema include a wonderful 38-minute exclusive video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns plus a third audio commentary by critic & author Kim Newman and Stephen Jones that is likewise excellent in detailing the production, performers and analyzing the film. There is also a stills gallery and the, Limited Edition O-Card, package contains a collector’s booklet featuring new essay by critic Philip Kemp, as well as an abundant selection of archival imagery and ephemera. A second disc progressive DVD is included.
Cohen Media - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
BOTTOM LINE:
Masters of Cinema were not to be outdone and augment their release with excellent bonus supplements beyond the Cohen - the Cairns video essay and the third, Kim Newman and Stephen Jones, commentary which encourages further appreciation. It's the best but a double-dip would be a personal decision. Remains a great film - thanks for the 4K restoration! Gary Tooze November 20th, 2017 May 17th, 2018
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Gary Tooze
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