- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,391
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Another film rescues from PD hell, and the first time I've seen The Strange Love of Martha Ivers in quality form. As such, I have no idea why it fell into the public domain in 1974, but strangers things have occurred.
I also have no idea why the film is coming from Paramount, and not Universal via Kino, but it makes no matter.
Martha Ivers is an important film from a number of perspectives.
Probably at the top of the list is that it marked the first appearance of a 29 year-old actor named Kirk Douglas. For his first film, he was fortunate to be directed by Lewis Milestone, who had been at his craft since 1918.
The film actually stars Barbara Stanwyk, Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott, with Mr. Douglas receiving a ubiquitous "introducing" credit.
The film was produced by Hal B. Wallis, shot by Victor Milner, with a screenplay by Robert Rossen and a score by Miklós Rózsa.
It was a quality production, and was nominated by the Academy for Best Writing, Original story.
Bottom line, it's great noir.
The Blu-ray is derived from a quality fine grain, without apparent restorative efforts, but none seems necessary. There are very occasional bits of what are termed on the web as "age related artifacts," none of which is ever problematic.
Nice gray scale, black levels, grain structure. everything seems in the proper place.
Image - 3.75
Audio – 5 (Monaural)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Yes
Recommended
RAH
I also have no idea why the film is coming from Paramount, and not Universal via Kino, but it makes no matter.
Martha Ivers is an important film from a number of perspectives.
Probably at the top of the list is that it marked the first appearance of a 29 year-old actor named Kirk Douglas. For his first film, he was fortunate to be directed by Lewis Milestone, who had been at his craft since 1918.
The film actually stars Barbara Stanwyk, Van Heflin and Lizabeth Scott, with Mr. Douglas receiving a ubiquitous "introducing" credit.
The film was produced by Hal B. Wallis, shot by Victor Milner, with a screenplay by Robert Rossen and a score by Miklós Rózsa.
It was a quality production, and was nominated by the Academy for Best Writing, Original story.
Bottom line, it's great noir.
The Blu-ray is derived from a quality fine grain, without apparent restorative efforts, but none seems necessary. There are very occasional bits of what are termed on the web as "age related artifacts," none of which is ever problematic.
Nice gray scale, black levels, grain structure. everything seems in the proper place.
Image - 3.75
Audio – 5 (Monaural)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Yes
Recommended
RAH