Noir Mystery THE RED HOUSE (1947) Gets Less DNR Blu Makeover On BD-R: 3/29

[Professor Echo]

The excellent Noir tinged mystery melodrama THE RED HOUSE is getting a Blu makeover from Film Detective on March 29. The previous release from Film Chest had too much DNR applied, but it was pressed whereas this new release will be burned.

http://dvdandblu-rayreleasereport.bl...u-ray.html?m=1

Maybe someone can link to the thread about the previous release, for those interested. I can NEVER get the Search function in this site to work with my iPad.

[The Great Owl]

I cannot wait. I love The Red House.

I'm glad that my wish for this movie to have a better high definition presentation is being honored, even if it's only for a BD-R release. I will also note that I've been hugely impressed with the Film Detective BD-R releases to date. Their Kansas City Confidential disc is spectacular.


For what it's worth, here is my User Review of the Film Chest edition of this movie, where I mainly discuss the movie content itself...


I spotted this Film Chest Blu-ray of the 1947 movie, The Red House, on sale for five dollars at a used store, and blindly purchased it after a cursory glance at the filmmakers and actors involved in the feature. The Red House is directed by Delmer Daves, who helmed the original 3:10 to Yuma, Dark Passage, Jubal, and several other notable movies. Edward G. Robinson, whose work I have thoroughly enjoyed in films like Little Caesar, Double Indemnity, and Scarlet Street, is the top talent draw. Judith Anderson, best remembered for her supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, is featured prominently in this film as well.

In terms of the movie itself, The Red House is a quite an unrecognized treasure. This feature can best be described as a backwoods gothic psychological thriller with a touch of shadowy film noir visual styles, blending aspects of Rebecca, Shadow of a Doubt, and Jane Eyre. Edward G. Robinson demonstrates his awe-inspiring acting range once again as a reclusive farmer who lives a seemingly idyllic existence with his sister, played by Judith Anderson, and his adopted daughter, played by Allene Roberts. When Lon McCallister's Nath is taken in as a hired hand on the farm and becomes intrigued with a spooky stretch of nearby forest, bottled tensions and sinister secrets begin to seep out of the woodwork. Memorable appearances by Julie London, a poster girl for the era, and Rory Calhoun complete the equation. Although Edward G. Robinson has top billing, I believe that the adorable Allene Roberts commands just as much attention with her expressive portrayal of a girl caught in the middle of a dark family history. A beautiful score by Miklós Rózsa lends a majesty to the proceedings. The cinematography from Bert Glennon, best known for his work on several John Ford films, carries this low-key suspense story to unexpected heights. I grew up in a rural Georgia city, and, for me, The Red House captures the joy of exploring in unknown forests and discovering new landmarks along makeshift trails. That spirit of reckless adventure is worth the price of admission in its own right.

The Red House, like most other films that fell into public domain, has apparently seen its share of abuse over the decades, and this back history is unfortunate, since the movie deserves the best transfer possible to snare new audiences. This Film Chest Blu-ray is a mixed bag of tricks, because the impressive repair of print damage comes at the price of excessive digital noise reduction that has wiped away most traces of film grain and left image softness in its wake. Many scenes come across well in this high definition treatment, though, and some remarkable detail is sometimes evident. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this disc on my modest-sized television, even if the final result falls disappointingly short of granting this film the visual reverence that it deserves. In the end, I will defer to the evidence of a short restoration document included on this Blu-ray, and state that we are probably fortunate to have this movie available in any semblance of watchability. The audio presentation is not demo-worthy by any stretch, but the score still plays out with sufficient strength, and I had no trouble following the dialogue. A commentary track by writer William Hare has received low marks from other reviewers, but I do not mind "play-by-play" analysis, so the track worked for me.

I would love to see The Red House given a more respectful transfer by way of Kino, Olive Films, or even Criterion, but this Film Chest presentation, however imperfect, is more enjoyable than one would imagine. I think that The Red House deserves attention, and, for the low price, prospective viewers cannot go wrong. Even the bargain basement Blu-rays can make for a fun movie night.

[thisis2]

..anyone think its likely that film detective will re-release this movie on a pressed disc as they are about to do with The Bat....

...if not i will have to purchase this BD-R which , it seems , has a slightly more film like appearance when compared to the film chest edition..

...also i wonder if the BD-R has deteriorated since its release 6 years ago...its presently available sealed from rarewaves united....its a risk i may have to take..