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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (July 2021): Kino has transferred many Mae West Films, including Alexander Hall's Goin' To Town, on Blu-ray. This is a single layer Blu-ray disc, with the 1.35:1 1080P image boasting a high bitrate. The image details appear soft, typical of films of the period. When compared to the older SD DVD version, one can spot an advancement in contrast (the older SD print can have darker blacks, but lacks the wider spectrum of grays in this new Blu-ray). Also gone is the rather thick grain which almost used to masquerade as detail, this is most likely from the same print as the old SD release due to similar damage marks (looking better if not totally cleaned up on the Blu-ray). Surely this Blu-ray is an upgrade that West fans will want to grab.

NOTE: We have added 40 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

For a picture from 1935, Kino's 16-bit DTS-HD Master audio track certainly could sound much worse. While the dialogue can sound a little muddied and flat at times, the picture's energetic music and sound effects keep the viewer interested. Though uncredited, the music in the picture is thanks to John Leipold, Stephan Pasternacki, and Tom Satterfield. This is a Region 'A' Blu-ray from Kino Lorber with optional English subtitles.

The main draw of Kino's new Blu-ray release of Goin' To Town is a new audio commentary with film historian and author, Kat Ellinger. Typical of Ellinger's commentary style, Kat imparts the film's history and context, as well as providing deeper-level readings of the picture (and star). Some of the topics discussed in this track include; West's fondness for the innuendo based comedy over the more popular screwball style of the times, West's streetsmart and masculine qualities (not to mention her assertiveness and refusal to be a reactionary character), her casting approval of leading men, choice of career over marriage, her frequent affinity and camaraderie with those characters with a racially diverse background (Ellinger also imparts a bizarre story of West visiting a school and lining up the male students on the football field to look them over, while casting the role of Laughing Eagle), and Ellinger relays this quote from West's autobiography ("Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It"): "I had to acquire certain skills, or at least enough of them to be convincing in my films. I had to learn to handle a lariat with a certain amount of western ability, had to learn to be fast on the draw from the hips — a valuable part of my anatomy— and twirl a six-shooter like a real gunslinger. I had to acquire the knack of shuffling and dealing cards like a professional gambler, with an ace somewhere hidden to be put into the game when needed. I was also instructed in the art of Judo, which amazed a few over-bold friends. I learned to play the drums and traps like a cool cat, and to mess around the piano with a boogie beat. "
Like previous commentaries by Kat Ellinger, listeners are in for a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening experience. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray includes the film's trailer, as well as trailers for other Mae West pictures. That is all for the extras.

Fans of Mae West surely need no extra encouragement to pick up this new Blu-ray of Goin' To Town from Kino Lorber. Those new to West's canon will be pleasantly surprised by this film's lavish costumes, sets, and of course West's zinger-filled script. Kat Ellinger's audio commentary is another must-listen. Recommended.

Colin Zavitz