Blu-ray Review Murder in Greenwich Village Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Todd Erwin]

Todd Erwin submitted a new blog post

Murder in Greenwich Village Blu-ray Review

Continue reading the Original Blog Post.

 

[roxy1927]

I actually did see Fay Wray a couple of times in Greenwich Village. She attended Film Forum. And you can imagine how amazing it was for her to make an appearance when FF showed Von Stroheim's The Wedding March. Like going to see Greed and finding Zasu Pitts sitting next to you.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Thank you for your review, but this is a strange title by Sony to release on Blu-ray when they have so many other more popular movie titles that deserves a Blu-ray release.

 

[Gary OS]

Thank you for your review, but this is a strange title by Sony to release on Blu-ray when they have so many other more popular movie titles that deserves a Blu-ray release.

I feel exactly the opposite, Robert. I'm so, so, so glad someone is releasing more obscure fare. I'm sick of the same old warhorses getting released. I want to see things that either haven't been issued on DVD/Blu at all - OR - better yet, haven't even been on TV much/at all over the past 30 to 40 years. That's the stuff that needs to be released.

And for my money, the B-films are often better than the A-films. But to each his own.

Gary "ready for some more surprises like this one" O.

 

[Bert Greene]

I feel exactly the opposite, Robert. I'm so, so, so glad someone is releasing more obscure fare. I'm sick of the same old warhorses getting released. I want to see things that either haven't been issued on DVD/Blu at all - OR - better yet, haven't even been on TV much/at all over the past 30 to 40 years. That's the stuff that needs to be released.

And for my money, the B-films are often better than the A-films. But to each his own.

Gary "ready for some more surprises like this one" O.

Amen, Gary. I personally tend to enjoy a lot of these more minor, more low-profile, films often much more than the established classics. They also tend to be better disc investments for me as well, because I find I revisit them more frequently.

As it is, I only purchase about two or three blu-rays per month, and I often feel like I'm grasping at straws trying to find titles I'm willing to shell out for. There are some good vintage movies being released on blu, but all too often they are items that I either already have on dvd, or have seen to death on tv over the years. Oh, I'll upgrade in cases of super-favorites, no question. But those might constitute only 5% versus the 95% that I take a pass on.

Something like "Murder in Greenwich Village" comes along, and I admit my eyes light up. Oh, I know the film itself is probably no great shakes in the big scheme of things (by the way, nice review, Todd!). I've heard over the years a number of buffs express disappointment in this film because they were indeed wanting and expecting a mystery thriller-diller, and got more of a breezy comedy instead. Won't bother me at all, though. Although I've seen a fair share of obscure 1930s/40s Columbia B's, I've never actually seen this particular one myself, so I'm looking forward to it. I celebrate whenever there's some long-unavailable, long-unseen, rarity that breaks free from the archives. Even better, when it sports names like Richard Arlen and Fay Wray in the lead roles.

If more titles like this were popping up on blu, I'd be spending a lot more money that I currently do for discs, that's for sure!

 

[RBailey]

If more titles like this were popping up on blu, I'd be spending a lot more money that I currently do for discs, that's for sure!

Pre-ordered and I hope this is the first of many. Would love some of those early Rita Hayworth B movies and (PLEASE, Sony) THE GOOD HUMOR MAN.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I feel exactly the opposite, Robert. I'm so, so, so glad someone is releasing more obscure fare. I'm sick of the same old warhorses getting released. I want to see things that either haven't been issued on DVD/Blu at all - OR - better yet, haven't even been on TV much/at all over the past 30 to 40 years. That's the stuff that needs to be released.

And for my money, the B-films are often better than the A-films. But to each his own.

Gary "ready for some more surprises like this one" O.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against any classic movie getting a Blu-ray release, but with the number of Blu-ray releases down, there are several better movies including some “B” movies that could be released ahead of this particular movie. How many units are they going to sell of this relatively unknown title at this high price point? I doubt very many of them.

 

[Astairefan]

I'll join in on praising Sony for releasing this one. It's a movie I hadn't heard of (or seen, obviously), and, since it sounds like it falls into the screwball mystery type of genre which I've come to enjoy since seeing The Thin Man for the first time last year, it sounds worth it to me! My own opinion is that it's nice to see a combination of big classics and otherwise forgotten films both getting released,as it allows me to see old favorites and experiment with new films, too! I admit, I wish SOMEBODY would release You Were Never Lovelier on Blu-ray (at this point, my most-wanted Sony-owned film), but it remains to be seen who, if anybody, will do it, since Twilight has (had?) the license, but clearance issues prevented it from being released by them (and likely could apply to anybody else unless they've been dealt with).

 

[borisfw]

I have never seen this movie either . But being a murder mystery,i know it's more comedy than mystery,and starring Fay Wray i am willing to take a chance. I also enjoy the 30s/40s comedy mystery genre.

 

[ahollis]

I looking forward to this release and happy that Sony reached deep in their vault for this title.

 

[lark144]

Well, there's a whole bunch of stuff from the 1930's-through the 1960's I'd love for Sony to release, but the prospect of owning a screwball-mystery comedy from the early 1930's in pristine condition staring Fay Wray & Richard Arlen no matter how minor excites me to no end. I'm definitely buying it. And fairly soon at that.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Well, there's a whole bunch of stuff from the 1930's-through the 1960's I'd love for Sony to release, but the prospect of owning a screwball-mystery comedy from the early 1930's in pristine condition staring Fay Wray & Richard Arlen no matter how minor excites me to no end. I'm definitely buying it. And fairly soon at that.

Good for you. I'm passing on it as long as the price point is above $20.

 

[lark144]

Of

Good for you. I'm passing on it as long as the price point is above $20.

But of course! I'm certainly not suggesting you buy this. Each of us has our priorities, what tickles our sensibility more than other possibilities.

I like obscurities. When I was in my late teens, I went every Friday night to the New School, where Bill Everson would show these unknown--to me anyway--comedies and thrillers from the early 1930's, and it was like entering another world; a world where every wisecrack was like fine jewelry that sparkled with an amazing glow, even if the way the film was photographed was tawdry and the print sagged and skittered. And they were populated by these mythical beasts, with names like Fay Wray. I was familiar with Ms. Wray's scream from "King Kong" but here she was more akin to something out of a painting by Klimt, possessing a beauty that was not of this earth. And for an hour or two afterwards, I still existed in that magical place. It's possible I'm exaggerating a little, but that's what I remember. Anyway, I'll buy anything from the 30's if it's in great shape, which this appears to be.

 

[ahollis]

Good for you. I'm passing on it as long as the price point is above $20.

Everyone has their thought. I respect yours.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Of

But of course! I'm certainly not suggesting you buy this. Each of us has our priorities, what tickles our sensibility more than other possibilities.

That thought never entered my mind. Of course, the decision to buy this title is an individual choice for each of us.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Everyone has their thought. I respect yours.

No doubt!

 

[cadavra]

As I mentioned on another thread, this is indeed puzzling, as I tried to do a Fay Wray box set years ago at Sony, only to be shot down with their usual reason: "She's just another dead actress." I'm glad this is out, but there are many other Wray vehicles gathering dust in their vaults.