- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
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- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
One of the interesting attributes of the studio system during the classic era of the twenties through fifties, was the pecking order of contract players through the years, and Raoul Walsh's 1939 The Roaring Twenties is a perfect example.
James Cagney first appeared in a WB production (The Singing Fool - 1928, with Al Jolson). Mr. Cagney had a bit. Two years later he was starring in The Public Enemy.
Humphrey Bogart spent some time at Fox before joining First National/ WB in 1932, first appearing in Big City Blues, and receiving raves for his portrayal of Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest in 1936. The film starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis.
He continued his superb performances with Angels with Dirty Faces, and getting third or lower billing in Dark Victory (a Bette Davis film) and The Oklahoma Kid, a Cagney film, receiving third billing, below Mr. Cagney and Priscilla Lane in The Roaring Twenties. He finally received star billing in the semi-forgettable The Wagons Roll at Night, before appearing in a detective mystery about a mysterious bird in 1941, in which he played the lead, one Samuel Spade.
Priscilla Lane, who received second billing (above the title) has just 24, had been with the studio since 1937 and Roading Twenties was her 11th film.
I'm offering multiple words as a preface toward my review, which will be short and sweet.
Criterion's new 4k release of The Roaring Twenties, is one gorgeous affair. To my eyes, it appears very much akin to a newly struck 35mm print derived from the original camera negative.
Just gorgeous in every regard.
My advice.
Grab a copy and be enthralled by what can be encoded on these tiny reflective discs. For those unaware, it's also a great film.
For those into cinematographic details, the film was shot by Ernest Haller, who began in the camera department in 1918. You've seen his work in films like The Emperor Jones, Captain Blood, Jezebel, Dark Victory, Gone with the Wind, Mildred Pierce, The Flame and the Arrow, Rebel Without a Cause, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and Lilies of the Field.
Image – 10 (Dolby Vision)
Audio – 10 (Monaural 1.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 7
Worth your attention - 9
Slipcover rating - n/a
Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Twenties-Criterion-Collection-UHD/dp/B0CNH9YTYN/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1PO5K5EYI74ZI&keywords=the+roaring+twenties+4k&qid=1707887612&sprefix=the+roaring+,aps,85&sr=8-5
James Cagney first appeared in a WB production (The Singing Fool - 1928, with Al Jolson). Mr. Cagney had a bit. Two years later he was starring in The Public Enemy.
Humphrey Bogart spent some time at Fox before joining First National/ WB in 1932, first appearing in Big City Blues, and receiving raves for his portrayal of Duke Mantee in The Petrified Forest in 1936. The film starred Leslie Howard and Bette Davis.
He continued his superb performances with Angels with Dirty Faces, and getting third or lower billing in Dark Victory (a Bette Davis film) and The Oklahoma Kid, a Cagney film, receiving third billing, below Mr. Cagney and Priscilla Lane in The Roaring Twenties. He finally received star billing in the semi-forgettable The Wagons Roll at Night, before appearing in a detective mystery about a mysterious bird in 1941, in which he played the lead, one Samuel Spade.
Priscilla Lane, who received second billing (above the title) has just 24, had been with the studio since 1937 and Roading Twenties was her 11th film.
I'm offering multiple words as a preface toward my review, which will be short and sweet.
Criterion's new 4k release of The Roaring Twenties, is one gorgeous affair. To my eyes, it appears very much akin to a newly struck 35mm print derived from the original camera negative.
Just gorgeous in every regard.
My advice.
Grab a copy and be enthralled by what can be encoded on these tiny reflective discs. For those unaware, it's also a great film.
For those into cinematographic details, the film was shot by Ernest Haller, who began in the camera department in 1918. You've seen his work in films like The Emperor Jones, Captain Blood, Jezebel, Dark Victory, Gone with the Wind, Mildred Pierce, The Flame and the Arrow, Rebel Without a Cause, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and Lilies of the Field.
Image – 10 (Dolby Vision)
Audio – 10 (Monaural 1.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 7
Worth your attention - 9
Slipcover rating - n/a
Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Twenties-Criterion-Collection-UHD/dp/B0CNH9YTYN/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1PO5K5EYI74ZI&keywords=the+roaring+twenties+4k&qid=1707887612&sprefix=the+roaring+,aps,85&sr=8-5
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