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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

directed by William Castle
USA 1951

 

Hollywood Story (1951) takes aim at the darker side of the movie business. It stars Richard Conte as Larry O’Brien, a stage producer with dreams of being in the movie business who decides to shoot a documentary about the mysterious death of a silent film director, only to find himself in danger of suffering the same fate. With cameos by silent film stars such as Helen Gibson and Francis X. Bushman, it is reminiscent of Sunset Blvd., released a year prior.

***

A producer takes over a small film studio and - sensing that it'll be a good movie- begins investigating an old murder of a silent film star shot in his office years ago. He finds that his life is threatened as he digs deeper into the mystery.

Posters

Theatrical Release: May 28th, 1951

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Universal / Turner Classic Movies (Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers, Vol. 2) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Millcreek (William Castle Double Feature - 2-disc) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for the DVD Review!

Box Cover

 

 

Part of Imprint's Essential Film Noir: Collection 2 on Blu-ray with Hollywood Story (1951), The City That Never Sleeps (1953), Plunder of the Sun (1953) and Private Hell 36 (1954)

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution Universal / Turner Classic Movies (Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers, Vol 2) Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Millcreek (William Castle Double Feature) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:16:33     1:16:41.096  1:16:39.386 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.50 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 19,398,792,761 bytes

Feature: 19,307,102,208 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,784,427,495 bytes

Feature: 22,632,247,296 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.90 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate Millcreek Blu-ray:

Bitrate Imprint Blu-ray:

Audio English (Dolby Digital mono)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1869 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1869 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)

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

LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit

Subtitles None English, None English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Universal / Turner Classic Movies

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Julie Adams on Hollywood Story (5:35)
• Eddie Muller on Hollywood Story (4:50)
• Publicity Stills
• Scene Stills
• Behind-the-Scenes Photos
• Movie Posters
• Lobby Cards

DVD Release Date:
2 discs in a digipack

Chapters 9

Release Information:
Studio:
Millcreek

 

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 19,398,792,761 bytes

Feature: 19,307,102,208 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

None (shares package with 1951's New Orleans Uncensored on a separate Blu-ray)


Blu-ray Release Date:
May 12th, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

Release Information:
Studio:
Millcreek

 

1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 28,784,427,495 bytes

Feature: 22,632,247,296 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.90 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

NEW Audio Commentary with professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney (2020)
NEW Interview with film author & critic Kim Newman on “Hollywood Story” (2020) (16:49)
Julie Adams on “Hollywood Story” (5:36)
Eddie Muller on “Hollywood Story” (4:52)


Blu-ray Release Date:
May 21st, 2021
Transparent Blu-ray Cases inside cardboard box (see below)

Chapters 12

 

Package - Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Imprint Blu-ray (June 2021): Imprint have transferred William Castle's Hollywood Story to 1080P for  Blu-ray spine #48 as part of their Essential Film Noir: Collection 2 Blu-ray set with Private Hell 36 (1954), The City That Never Sleeps (1953), Plunder of the Sun (1953) and, this one, Hollywood Story (1951). It appears to be from the same master in 1.33:1 as the Millcreek with the same marks but the Imprint bitrate is higher and on a dual-layered disc. The image improves in contrast looking a shade brighter and an overall superior HD presentation with more consistent and prevalent grain. Depending on your system, it may be minor but it is definitely there.  

NOTE: We have added 34 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint use a linear PCM 1.0 channel mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is another minor advancement in the film's audio over the US Blu-ray. It's a fairly passive film with some early and latter gunplay, and a dramatic score by Frank Skinner (Foxfire, Madame X, Magnificent Obsession, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, All That Heaven Allows, and The Naked City) accentuated the 'build' to the finale. Marginal superiority for the Aussie disc, but, likewise, it exists. Imprint offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray has a new (2020) audio commentary with film scholar Jason A. Ney. He discusses Hollywood Story in the shadow of Sunset Blvd. He details the career of Richard Conte and offers many back-story of Hollywood in the vintage era including on rather 'shady' around the murder of director William Desmond Taylor. There is also a new (2020) 1/4 hour interview with film author / critic Kim Newman on “Hollywood Story” giving his unique take. There is also an older, short, interview with charming Julie Adams (Sally Rousseau in “Hollywood Story”.) We also get a TCM interview with film critic Eddie Muller on “Hollywood Story” for a few minutes giving his input on this classic - the true murder story it is based, all the landmarks and the adept pacing by Castle. There is no theatrical trailer for the film.   

Another of the many 'City'-titled Noirs or crime dramas of the era like The Tijuana Story, The Miami Story, New Orleans Uncensored and The Phenix City Story. Hollywood Story is a good one - Conte in fine form, comely Julie Adams and sly Henry Hull! I am very happy to own on Imprint's superior Blu-ray with the commentary and interview extras. An easy recommendation to dark cinema aficionados although the debate rages on about its inclusion as a true Noir. I think it qualifies. Indulge yourself in Imprint's Essential Film Noir: Collection 2 Blu-ray set!   

***

ADDITION: Millcreek Blu-ray (May 2020): Kit Parker Films in association with Millcreek Entertainment have brought a "William Castle Double Feature" to Blu-ray. It has New Orleans Uncensored on its own Blu-ray and 1951's Hollywood Story - on a second single-layered Blu-ray. So, while this is a new transfer - and appears to be from the same source as the Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers SD just in the higher 1080P resolution. It has the same marks and cue-blips. This, however, does remarkably improve the home theater presentation in terms of contrast, depth, detail - it is a slightly brighter image and grain texture is consistently supported. 

On their Blu-ray, Millcreek use a DTS-HD Master mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio. Millcreek offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Millcreek Blu-ray has no extras and only the New Orleans Uncensored Blu-ray sharing the package.

Gary Tooze

ON THE Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers Volume 2 DVD set (fully reviewed HERE): 2 years after Universal and TCM released Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers that included such noir essentials as The Glass Key, The Phantom Lady and The Blue Dahlia for the first time in region 1, they are bringing Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers Volume 2. This time, the choice of films is not as stellar. The 2-disc set contains 4 films - 2 films by Fritz Lang - You and Me and Ministry of Fear, and 2 films by William Castle - Undertow and Hollywood Story. You and Me (1938) is available on DVD in Germany from Koch Media as part of their Film Noir Collection line. Ministry of Fear is available in region 1 in superior Blu-ray release from Criterion (compared HERE) and inclusion in this set is highly questionable - there are some other excellent noirs in Universal vaults that are still missing in region 1 and would have been a welcome addition to this set, like Robert Siodmak's Christmas Holiday, One Way Street (1950), Ride the Pink Horse (1947), The Suspect (1945) or Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (1948) (that is tied up in legal limbo). William Castle's both features make their welcome DVD debut and are very strong noirs. While the quality of Hollywood Story is surprisingly good, Undertow is taken from an old master that is soft and has some chroma. You and Me compares well to Koch Media transfer, having the same marks (including cue marks), but losing a sliver on the sides it does not suffer from PAL speed-up.

The second film in each set - Ministry of Fear and Hollywood Story - were transferred anamorphically, so there are black bars on the sides - see the first captures for each film. Audio quality is decent, with no distortions and per usual standard, there are no subtitles provided. The set starts with a generic introduction by Ben Mankiewicz. Each film includes a number of galleries, a short overview of each film by Eddie Muller (not recommended to watch before the film in question) and a very welcome 5.5-minute discussion of Hollywood Story with its star, Julie Adams. We can recommend the set with some reservation to quality of Undertow and existence of Ministry of Fear in HD.

 - Gregory Meshman

 


Universal / Turner Classic Movies (Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers, Vol 2) - Region 1 - NTSC

 

Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray


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

 

Subtitle Sample

 

1) Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

2) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal / Turner Classic Movies - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

NOTE: Hollywood Story on DVD is transferred anamorphically

 


1) Universal / Turner Classic Movies - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal / Turner Classic Movies - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Universal / Turner Classic Movies - Region 1 - NTSC  TOP

2) Millcreek - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE

3) Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

Light scratch / damage on all three editions

(CLICK to ENLARGE)

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Imprint Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE


Box Cover

 

 

Part of Imprint's Essential Film Noir: Collection 2 on Blu-ray with Hollywood Story (1951), The City That Never Sleeps (1953), Plunder of the Sun (1953) and Private Hell 36 (1954)

BONUS CAPTURES:

Distribution Universal / Turner Classic Movies (Dark Crimes: Film Noir Thrillers, Vol 2) Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Millcreek (William Castle Double Feature) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Imprint - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 


 

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