A New Leaf Blu-ray - Walter Matthau

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

Directed by Elaine May
USA 1971

One of America's greatest comic legends, Elaine May, made her debut as writer and director in the wonderful A New Leaf. Unanimously acclaimed from the start, but unavailable for many years, it now stands as a classic alongside Harold and Maude, Bananas and M*A*S*H* as a key film in the new direction of American screen comedy in the 1970s.

The great Walter Matthau stars as Henry, a once-rich playboy who has obliviously spent his entire inheritance. Desperate to marry into further financial support, he meets Henrietta (Elaine May), a shy, awkward, though independently wealthy botany professor. What follows is a giddy tale of dubious legal advice, ruthless skulduggery and ferns.

***

Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) is a man with a problem: he has run through his entire inheritance and is completely unequipped to provide for himself. His childhood guardian, Uncle Harry (a deliciously mean-spirited James Coco), refuses to give him a dime, so Henry devises a plan with the help of his imaginative butler (George Rose) to make his money the old-fashioned way - he can marry it. But he cannot see himself as a happily married man, so he comes up with an even more devious solution... with a temporary loan from his uncle, Henry has six weeks to find a bride and repay the loan; otherwise he must forfeit all his property to his uncle. Henry finally meets his dearly beloved, a clumsy, painfully shy heiress Henrietta Lowell (played by the film's writer/director Elaine May). The answer to his prayers - if only he can overcome the obstacles placed in his path by his uncle and Henrietta's Lawyer (Jack Weston).

Posters

Theatrical Release: March 11th, 1971

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Comparison:

Olive - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover	In 2017, Olive released an improved 'Signature Series' Blu-ray edition:
Distribution	Olive - Region 'A' - Blu-ray	Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:42:26.140	1:42:02.866
Video	1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 18,631,365,930 bytes Feature: 30,857,963,520 bytes Video Bitrate: 22.00 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video	1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 35,456,481,368 bytes Feature: 30,554,057,280 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.78 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate Olive Blu-ray
Bitrate Masters of Cinema Blu-ray:
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 848 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 848 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)	LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles	None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Olive 1.78:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 18,631,365,930 bytes Feature: 30,857,963,520 bytes Video Bitrate: 22.00 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • None DVD Release Date: September 4th, 2012 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters: 8	Release Information: Studio: Masters of Cinema 1.78:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 35,456,481,368 bytes Feature: 30,554,057,280 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.78 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • The Bluebeard of Happiness, a new video essay by critic David Cairns (16:13) • 32-PAGE BOOKLET featuring new and vintage writing on the film, and archival images DVD Blu-ray Release Date: December 7th, 2015 Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 7

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema Blu-ray (March 2020): The Masters of Cinema's transfer of Elaine May's A New Leaf to Blu-ray is superior to Olive's original release from 3-years earlier. It is on a dual-layered disc with a, more than, 50% higher bitrate. This translates into richer, deeper colors and warmer skin tones plus more layered contrast. It is also in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and provides a very strong 1080P presentation.

NOTE: In December 2017, Olive produced one of their 'Signature Series" releases of A New Leaf HERE, which we understand is an improvement over their 2012 Blu-ray, but we do not own to compare.

On their Blu-ray, Masters of Cinema use a linear PCM 2.0 channel track (24-bit) in the original English language. It also advances upon the 16-bit Olive. This is evident in the music which includes Albert W. Ketèlbey's In a Monastery Garden, and some pieces by Johnny Mandel (Fantasy No.1, Discotheque) and an uncredited theme by Neal Hefti. Masters of Cinema offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'B' Blu-ray.

The Masters of Cinema Blu-ray offers as a supplement The Bluebeard of Happiness - an excellent 17-minute video essay by critic David Cairns who examines Elaine May's career (directing Ishtar, Mikey and Nicky, The Heartbreak Kid) including as an actor and, this, her directorial debut, A New Leaf. I loved her in Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks where she almost steals the movie. Included in the package is a 32-page liner notes booklet featuring writing on the film and archival images. A second disc DVD is included.

I appreciate A New Leaf has more each time I watch it and see the brilliant individual elements that are pulled together to make up this essential comedy. I agree with Jonathan Rosenbaum when he says "May’s savage take on her characters irresistibly recalls Stroheim; she’s at once tender and corrosive (as well as narcissistic and self-hating)." The Masters of Cinema Blu-ray has as good an a/v transfer as the format allows and the addition of the David Cairns' video essay makes it even more valuable. Our highest recommendation!

***

ON THE OLIVE Blu-ray (2012): A New Leaf has a predictable modest technical Blu-ray transfer from Olive Films. This is only single-layered but contrast looks adequate to support the film. It looks okay - a bit faded in some scenes but the black levels do seem to improve in the second half and detail is acceptable - if not stellar. There is a smidgeon of depth but there is a hint of grain. The Blu-ray improved the presentation over an SD rendering and any minor flaws (speckles) had no detrimental effect on my viewing.

The DTS-HD mono track at 848 kbps is inconsequential - probably as it was theatrically. There is no depth - nor requirement of the film for aggressive bass to be supported. I assume this is a faithful transfer and I noted no flaws. Presume that it lacks any dynamic features. There are no subtitles offered.

No supplements - not even a trailer which is the bare-bones route that Olive are going with their releases.

A New Leaf is a pretty cute film and I am very glad I watched it. There are some very funny sequences that make it worthwhile viewing. The Blu-ray is as it is - and while a surprising choice to go to 1080P - fans of early 70's comedy, Walter Matthau and especially Elaine May will get some lasting enjoyment. Recommended!

Gary Tooze