Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ Blue Skies -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Blue Skies, released by Paramount in 1946 is a bit of an oddity. Directed by Stuart Heisler, it's "based upon an original idea" by Irving Berlin, using his songs.

Never a great film, it has some wonderful moments, which make it worthwhile, such as Mr. Astaire doing Puttin' on the Ritz.

One of 35 Technicolor productions released in 1946 (for those into numbers), and one of 3 from Paramount. To place things in a bit of perspective, there were 26 films in the process in 1945, 28 in 1944, 25 in 1943, 17 in 1942, 19 in 1941, 16 in 1940, 13 in 1939, 13 in 1938, 7 in 1937. Point being, especially until the 1950s, they were rarities.

Historically speaking, this isn't a major Technicolor production, so one would be correct in presuming that a digital restoration (think Warner Archive) is in not in order. It isn't.

What we're given by Universal via Kino is more than good enough to make the point. Color seems generally accurate, even if imperfect, and overall registration is fine. Shadow detail is lacking.

Image – 3.5

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from first DVD – Yes

Works up-rezzed to 4k - Okay

RAH

 

[marcco00]

love Astaire so i will be getting this! according to my Astaire biographies this was his highest grossing film.
and 'puttin on the ritz' is a killer dance routine!

 

[marcco00]

and in the tropical number, he finishes with the same choreography he used with rita hayworth in their opening number from 'you'll never get rich'. always thought that was a tribute, as he retired on the release of this film (from '46 to '48 as it turned out)

 

[Matt Hough]

I know Blue Skies was a big, big hit, but I would have thought Easter Parade grossed more money. I'm just guessing: I have done no research.

 

[Bernard McNair]

Looking forward to this release arriving at my home. While the movie may not be the greatest the Astaire/ Berlin combo is a winner for me.

 

[marcco00]

I know Blue Skies was a big, big hit, but I would have thought Easter Parade grossed more money. I'm just guessing: I have done no research.

it makes sense tho with two of the biggest musical stars of the 1940's, Fred and Bing, in the same film. 'Holiday Inn' was also a HUGE hit for Fred. 'White Christmas' out-grossed both films.....Bing had requested Fred for that film also but Fred stuck to his 2 film collaboration rule to avoid permanent partnerships. all info from my Starring Fred Astaire book, still my favorite of the dozen or so books i got on Astaire

 

[Will Krupp]

all info from my Starring Fred Astaire book, still my favorite of the dozen or so books i got on Astaire

I DO love that book, though I don't own a copy. From what I remember, it was none too charitable to Ginger. Am I right in remembering it that way?

 

[David Weicker]

it makes sense tho with two of the biggest musical stars of the 1940's, Fred and Bing, in the same film. 'Holiday Inn' was also a HUGE hit for Fred. 'White Christmas' out-grossed both films.....Bing had requested Fred for that film also but Fred stuck to his 2 film collaboration rule to avoid permanent partnerships. all info from my Starring Fred Astaire book, still my favorite of the dozen or so books i got on Astaire

One of the few Astaire books I didn't own (just placed an order for it on Amazon).

My favorite books are are Astaire Dancing (John Mueller) or The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Book (Arlene Croce).

 

[marcco00]

I DO love that book, though I don't own a copy. From what I remember, it was none too charitable to Ginger. Am I right in remembering it that way?

no actually it is a very good, journalistic approach to Fred's career with little gossip or the author's opinion throw in. a nice big picture book also

 

[marcco00]

One of the few Astaire books I didn't own (just placed an order for it on Amazon).

My favorite books are are Astaire Dancing (John Mueller) or The Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers Book (Arlene Croce).

i think you will enjoy!! not a great fan of the mueller book (we have differing opinions of Fred's dance partners). early on in my Astaire fandom i worshipped the Astaire/Rogers RKO series and compared every other Astaire film to them. i've evolved over time to look at each Astaire film on its own because i love Fred so, he truly is a POET IN MOTION. so there are some books i don't reach for often, tho over the years i've collected every Astaire book i could find.

 

[RobertMG]

it makes sense tho with two of the biggest musical stars of the 1940's, Fred and Bing, in the same film. 'Holiday Inn' was also a HUGE hit for Fred. 'White Christmas' out-grossed both films.....Bing had requested Fred for that film also but Fred stuck to his 2 film collaboration rule to avoid permanent partnerships. all info from my Starring Fred Astaire book, still my favorite of the dozen or so books i got on Astaire

On White Christmas many different reasons given over the years why he did not do the film including he did not like the script -

 

[RobertMG]

I DO love that book, though I don't own a copy. From what I remember, it was none too charitable to Ginger. Am I right in remembering it that way?

Fred was always respectful of Ginger - sad though Astaire's wife stopped allowing film clips of Fred and Ginger to be aired honoring Ginger while Ginger was still with us.

 

[Will Krupp]

no actually it is a very good, journalistic approach to Fred's career with little gossip or the author's opinion throw in. a nice big picture book also

Fred was always respectful of Ginger - sad though Astaire's wife stopped allowing film clips of Fred and Ginger to be aired honoring Ginger while Ginger was still with us.

Is this NOT the book where the author talks about Fred calling Ginger "the Wasp" behind her back because of her prickly personality while they were making Barkleys of Broadway? Is it a different book? I could swear it was the book with the top hat and the cane on front? Maybe I'm thinking of a different book, then. My apologies if so.

 

[RobertMG]

Is this NOT the book where the author talks about Fred calling Ginger "the Wasp" behind her back because of her prickly personality while they were making Barkleys of Broadway? Is it a different book? I could swear it was the book with the top hat and the cane on front? Maybe I'm thinking of a different book, then. My apologies if so.

Hugh Fordin's book tells the story where he felt something was off while they were filming Barkley's and he went over to Hermes Pan and discussed it and they realized Ginger was wearing heels making her taller than him something she had never done in their earlier films.

 

[RobertMG]

Blue Skies, released by Paramount in 1946 is a bit of an oddity. Directed by Stuart Heisler, it's "based upon an original idea" by Irving Berlin, using his songs.

Never a great film, it has some wonderful moments, which make it worthwhile, such as Mr. Astaire doing Puttin' on the Ritz.

One of 35 Technicolor productions released in 1946 (for those into numbers), and one of 3 from Paramount. To place things in a bit of perspective, there were 26 films in the process in 1945, 28 in 1944, 25 in 1943, 17 in 1942, 19 in 1941, 16 in 1940, 13 in 1939, 13 in 1938, 7 in 1937. Point being, especially until the 1950s, they were rarities.

Historically speaking, this isn't a major Technicolor production, so one would be correct in presuming that a digital restoration (think Warner Archive) is in not in order. It isn't.

What we're given by Universal via Kino is more than good enough to make the point. Color seems generally accurate, even if imperfect, and overall registration is fine. Shadow detail is lacking.

Image – 3.5

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from first DVD – Yes

Works up-rezzed to 4k - Okay

RAH

I know you really cannot say for certain w/o seeing the negs but interesting that such a major film would not have a full redo restoration yet when watching The Emperor Waltz one is literally in risk of getting suntan from the Glorious Technicolor!

 

[marcco00]

Is this NOT the book where the author talks about Fred calling Ginger "the Wasp" behind her back because of her prickly personality while they were making Barkleys of Broadway? Is it a different book? I could swear it was the book with the top hat and the cane on front? Maybe I'm thinking of a different book, then. My apologies if so.

that's the right book, but that story is not in it. maybe that's peter levinson's book, it has a lot of dish, though i like it for it's up to date info. Starring was written in the mid seventies when Astaire was still alive, and is very middle of the road and very respectful, with a lot of quotes from co-workers and movie reviews of the time.
those Astaire books written from that era are my favorites---bob thomas, benny green, michael freeland, and roy picard

 

[marcco00]

I know you really cannot say for certain w/o seeing the negs but interesting that such a major film would not have a full redo restoration yet when watching The Emperor Waltz one is literally in risk of getting suntan from the Glorious Technicolor!

the print on my old dvd of 'blue skies' is decent looking, so i'm hopeful! also recently found a great print of 'let's dance' 1950 on youtube, so my Astaire library is complete!!

 

[RobertMG]

the print on my old dvd of 'blue skies' is decent looking, so i'm hopeful! also recently found a great print of 'let's dance' 1950 on youtube, so my Astaire library is complete!!

Spot on the dvd is decent - still have the laser it was a double with Holiday Inn and the laser looked like Technicolor much more than the dvd. Even though the film was a bit of a let down compared to Holiday Inn the film was a box office champ, audiences paid to hear Der Bingle croon and Astaire move those feet not to get as "Variety" the industry Bible would label as "Boffo" in the story dept.

 

[RobertMG]

Spot on the dvd is decent - still have the laser it was a double with Holiday Inn and the laser looked like Technicolor much more than the dvd. Even though the film was a bit of a let down compared to Holiday Inn the film was a box office champ, audiences paid to hear Der Bingle croon and Astaire move those feet not to get as "Variety" the industry Bible would label as "Boffo" in the story dept.

Just for fun

Top Grossing Movies of 1946​

Rank	Movie	Release Date	Distributor	Genre	1946 Gross	Tickets Sold
1	Song of the South	Nov 12, 1946	Walt Disney	Adventure	$49,504,170	123,760,425
2	Notorious	Aug 15, 1946		Thriller/Suspense	$24,464,742	61,161,855
3	The Best Years of Our Lives	Nov 21, 1946	RKO Radio Pictures	Drama	$23,600,000	59,000,000
4	Duel in the Sun	Dec 31, 1946		Western	$20,400,000	51,000,000
5	The Jolson Story	Oct 10, 1946			$19,000,000	47,500,000
6	Blue Skies	Oct 16, 1946	Paramount Pictures	Musical	$14,300,000	35,750,000
7	The Postman Always Rings Twice	May 2, 1946			$12,000,000	30,000,000
8	Margie	Oct 16, 1946			$10,000,000	25,000,000
9	Gilda	Mar 14, 1946			$10,000,000	25,000,000
10	Night and Day	Jul 2, 1946			$7,500,000	18,750,000
11	The Yearling	Dec 18, 1946		Western	$5,200,000	13,000,000
12	The Harvey Girls	Jan 18, 1946		Musical	$4,100,000	10,250,000
13	Easy to Wed	Jul 11, 1946			$4,100,000	10,250,000
14	Holiday in Mexico	Aug 15, 1946			$3,700,000	9,250,000
15	Two Sisters from Boston	Jun 6, 1946			$3,600,000	9,000,000
16	Without Reservations	May 13, 1946			$3,000,000	7,500,000
17	The Bandit of Sherwood Forest	Feb 21, 1946	Sony Pictures	Adventure	$3,000,000	7,500,000

 

[Waldo Lydecker]

Why is “Swingtime” the only Astaire & Rogers film on blu-ray? Why no restorations on the RKO series…?