Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about…™ Rancho Notorious – in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Three-strip Technicolor from RKO, with Hal Mohr behind the camera.

Fritz Lang.

Marlene Dietrich.

Arthur Kennedy.

Mel Ferrer.

Warner Archive via WB's MPI.


Image – 5

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Works up-rezzed to 4k - Yes

Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!

Very Highly Recommended

 

[benbess]

I think that's about the fewest words we've ever had lol!

Anyway, the picture quality does practically sock you in the jaw—but in a good way. What an interesting Western, which I'd never seen before today. Would this count as a Western Noir? Like some of you, I know Arthur Kennedy best as the reporter in Lawrence of Arabia, but in that movie somehow I almost always want to see more of him, and here we've really got that. This must be one of his strongest roles. Strong work by Marlene Dietrich too, although I think I like her even better in Hitchcock's Stage Fright from a couple of years before. A few places where we have fast cutting reminded me of the German Expressionist roots of Fritz Lang. So many actors in this who are more famous from other roles (look, it's the Professor from Gilligan's Island. Fred Mertz. Superman. Jack Elam, etc.).

What about the last lyrics of that song, as the guys ride off? It says that....

Spoiler

they are about to die in a gunfight.

Was that for the production code?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Arthur Kennedy like Robert Ryan was an underrated actor. He’s very good.

As to the film, to me, it’s western noir. Yes, the ending lyrics is all about the comical production code.

 

[Robert Harris]

I think that's about the fewest words we've ever had lol!

Anyway, the picture quality does practically sock you in the jaw—but in a good way. What an interesting Western, which I'd never seen before today. Would this count as a Western Noir? Like some of you, I know Arthur Kennedy best as the reporter in Lawrence of Arabia, but in that movie somehow I almost always want to see more of him, and here we've really got that. This must be one of his strongest roles. Strong work by Marlene Dietrich too, although I think I like her even better in Hitchcock's Stage Fright from a couple of years before. A few places where we have fast cutting reminded me of the German Expressionist roots of Fritz Lang. So many actors in this who are more famous from other roles (look, it's the Professor from Gilligan's Island. Fred Mertz. Superman. Jack Elam, etc.).

What about the last lyrics of that song, as the guys ride off? It says that....

Spoiler

they are about to die in a gunfight.

Was that for the production code?

View attachment 173183

Have you seen City for Conquest?

 

[benbess]

No, I haven't. Haven't even heard of it. Looks great though. One of Arthur Kennedy's good roles, I assume? Thanks for the recommend. Since I'm also a fan of Cagney, I should see this one. Doesn't look like there's a blu-ray available, but it is available for streaming rental. Okay, back on topic.

 

[bujaki]

Bright Victory, Peyton Place? His star was always bright even in supporting roles. Always one of the best.

 

[Robert Harris]

We had trouble finding Mr. Kennedy when we needed him for ADR on Aurens. A lead took us to retirement in Atlanta. My asst called every A. Kennedy, etc in the Atlanta area, and he finally called back.

Jim Painten, my partner on the project was a huge fan, so he flew to Atlanta, where Mr. K had made arrangements to record at a local TV studio.

He jumped right into character, and gave us exactly what we needed. Great actor!

 

[RMajidi]

We had trouble finding Mr. Kennedy when we needed him for ADR on Aurens. A lead took us to retirement in Atlanta. My asst called every A. Kennedy, etc in the Atlanta area, and he finally called back.

The more I learn about this peculiar occupation of film restoration, the more I think its formal description is ‘MacGyver’.

 

[Richard Kaufman]

Just watched Arthur Kennedy in both "Fantastic Voyage" (cranky), and "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" (VERY cranky, and a racist, too).

 

[B-ROLL]

We had trouble finding Mr. Kennedy when we needed him for ADR on Aurens. A lead took us to retirement in Atlanta. My asst called every A. Kennedy, etc in the Atlanta area, and he finally called back.

Jim Painten, my partner on the project was a huge fan, so he flew to Atlanta, where Mr. K had made arrangements to record at a local TV studio.

He jumped right into character, and gave us exactly what we needed. Great actor!

Maybe you should have looked at the Johns ...

Arthur Kennedy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[mskaye]

No, I haven't. Haven't even heard of it. Looks great though. One of Arthur Kennedy's good roles, I assume? Thanks for the recommend. Since I'm also a fan of Cagney, I should see this one. Doesn't look like there's a blu-ray available, but it is available for streaming rental. Okay, back on topic.

View attachment 173186

Awesome film and a reminder that there's still a lot of prime Cagney waiting for release as blu rays etc. in the Warner vaults.

 

[Robin9]

Just watched Arthur Kennedy in both "Fantastic Voyage" (cranky), and "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" (VERY cranky, and a racist, too).

Don't forget his performances in two Westerns directed by Anthony Mann.

 

[John Hermes]

Don't forget his performances in two Westerns directed by Anthony Mann.

He is also excellent in A Summer Place as Troy Donahue's alcoholic father.

 

[Capt D McMars]

The more I learn about this peculiar occupation of film restoration, the more I think its formal description is ‘MacGyver’.

agreed, with a little Merlin tossed in!!

 

[Capt D McMars]

This is a wonderfull restoration, I had forgtten that George Reeves and Jack Elam were on screen as well...great cast!!

 

[Colin Jacobson]

This is a wonderfull restoration, I had forgtten that George Reeves and Jack Elam were on screen as well...great cast!!

Did you notice Russell "The Professor" Johnson in there, too?

 

[Capt D McMars]

Did you notice Russell "The Professor" Johnson in there, too?

Yep, the army of character actors here abounds!!!

 

[lionel59]

He is also excellent in A Summer Place as Troy Donahue's alcoholic father.

He is usually memorable in everything he does. In a film like ELMER GANTRY, with a number of terrific performances, he still stands out in a supporting role. He plays a journalist who is kind of the "voice" of author Sinclair Lewis.

 

[roxy1927]

I always forget how old I am until movie fans say something like I've never heard of City For Conquest. Used to play on the local NY stations when i was a boy.