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

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (July 2025): Kino has transferred Alexander Hall's 1937 film Exclusive to Blu-ray. The 1080P image has good contrast and grain support in the bustling newsroom and shadowy gangster scenes. Occasional speckles and surface scratches are rare, particularly visible in darker sequences. William C. Mellor’s (A Place in the Sun, Giant, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation) cinematography (with its high-contrast lighting) is well-served, enhancing the noir-like tension of the narrative. The transfer is a marked improvement over standard-definition releases, providing a clear and authentic viewing experience that respects the film’s Depression-era roots.

NOTE: We have added 50 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Kino uses a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language that delivers dialogue with clarity, which is crucial for the film’s rapid-fire, exposition-heavy script. The sound design (including the clatter of typewriters and the rhythmic thud of the printing press) is reproduced effectively via the lossless, adding to the immersive newsroom atmosphere. Some background hiss and minor distortion are present artifacts of the original recording technology, but they don’t significantly detract from the experience. The orchestral score (while occasionally overbearing) comes through cleanly, balancing the film’s melodramatic tone without overwhelming the dialogue. The score is uncredited to John Leipold (Dangerous to Know, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Christmas in July, The Devil is a Woman, The Flying Deuces, Duck Soup) and Milan Roder (Murder at the Vanities, The Sign of the Cross, The Lives of a Bengal Lancer, The Song of Songs, Supernatural, Murnau's Tabu.) A brassy, upbeat fanfare introduces the film, evoking the hustle of the newsroom and setting an energetic tone. This motif recurs during transitional scenes, tying the narrative together. Strings and woodwinds dominate moments of emotional weight. These cues, while effective, are overly insistent, sometimes undermining subtler performances. The climax features percussive, driving music (drums and brass) to amplify the tension of the press-room showdown. While functional, the score lacks the sophistication of later composers, like Max Steiner (Dark Victory, Casablanca, The Caine Mutiny, Bird of Paradise, Beyond the Forest, Pursued) reflecting the film’s modest budget. Overall, the lossless handles it authentically. Kino offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray offers a compelling audio commentary by film historian Jason A. Ney with contributions from Frances Farmer expert Jeffrey Kauffman (Shedding Light on Shadowland, The Truth About Frances Farmer,) offering an in-depth look at the film’s production, its place in 1930s cinema, and Farmer’s tragic career. Ney’s analysis is engaging, providing context on the newspaper genre ("yellow journalism") and the performances, bringing up tangential details and talking about how the film is relevant for modern audiences. Additionally, the disc features trailers for related Kino Lorber releases: The Bride Comes Home, The Gilded Lily, No Time for Love, Murder, He Says, There’s Always Tomorrow, and Goin’ to Town but none for Exclusive.

Alexander Hall's Exclusive explores the cutthroat world of 1930s journalism, weaving themes of media ethics, personal loyalty, and societal corruption into a narrative that oscillates between social critique and melodrama. Starring Fred MacMurray (Double Indemnity, Murder, He Says, The Lady is Willing, Remember the Night) as Ralph Houston and Frances Farmer (Among the Living) as Vina Swain, the film uses the backdrop of rival newspapers in the fictional Mountain City to examine the consequences of sensationalist reporting and the moral compromises made in pursuit of power or love. At its core, Exclusive critiques the sensationalism that dominated 1930s journalism, often referred to as “yellow journalism.” The Sentinel, under Gillette’s (Lloyd Nolan - Michael Shayne, P.I., Circumstantial Evidence, The House on 92nd Street, Internes Can't Take Money) control, prioritizes scandal and misinformation to manipulate public opinion, contrasting with the World’s commitment to reform and truth. The film suggests that media, when weaponized, can amplify corruption, undermining democratic processes, like elections. The tension between personal loyalty and professional ambition runs throughout Exclusive. Kino’s Blu-ray release of Exclusive is a worthwhile addition for fans of classic Hollywood and newspaper dramas, delivering a appreciated presentation of a lesser-known effort. Jason Ney’s informative commentary elevates the disc’s value by contextualizing the film’s themes and Frances Farmer’s legacy. Fans will be pleased. 

Gary Tooze