Tonight's Movie: His Kind of Woman (1951) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review
The wild, crazy, and quite engaging HIS KIND OF WOMAN (1951) has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.
Once at the resort we're introduced to a wild cast of characters, headed by a scene-stealing Price as a ham actor whose sharp-shooting skills will ultimately come in handy for Dan.
Holt's somewhat mysterious character doesn't show up until close to an hour into the movie; he's authoritative and sharp bantering with Dan, but unfortunately he doesn't stick around very long.
All these interesting folks hang around the resort, whipping off razor-sharp dialogue until the movie's violent climax.
I first reviewed this in this blog's earliest days, way back in 2006, and my feelings now, close to two decades on, were fairly similar.
The movie's for the most part of a lot of fun; it's completely unpredictable, but the cast is great and despite a large number of cooks, the script has some excellent dialogue. The screenplay was written by Frank Fenton and Jack Leonard, with uncredited work by several others, including Richard Fleischer and Howard Hughes.
Russell puts over a couple nice songs and is appealingly forthright (except, perhaps, when it comes to the truth about her finances); the laconic Mitchum, when he's not combating boredom by ironing (?), helps a young honeymoon couple; and Price dramatically waves around everything from a duck he's about to roast to a rifle. He also has a fun scene where he's watching the audience reactions to his latest swashbuckler when the movie is shown at the resort.
The movie was directed by John Farrow and the uncredited Richard Fleischer. It was filmed in black and white by Harry J. Wild.
The Warner Archive Blu-ray print is from a 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative. It looks and sounds absolutely spectacular. I felt particularly grateful for the print quality after viewing the unrestored trailer, which is included as an extra.
Despite my reservations about the violence, this is a top cast in a very enjoyable film, seen via a terrific print. Recommended.
Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.
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posted by Laura @ 11:30 PM
7 Comments:
Laura, I really enjoyed your good write-up of HIS KIND OF WOMAN(filmed 1950-51, released 1951). I got a kick out of your apt description of the movie as, "The wild, crazy, and quite engaging." Also, describing Robert Mitchum as "combustible" and Jane Russell as "gorgeous," and they were and more. Mitchum and Russell's screen chemistry was off the charts, and I think it was because they were such great friends, and this came across on the screen through their rich personalities. Russell was the only non-family member to attend the spreading of Mitchum's ashes in the Pacific Ocean.
I first caught up with HIS KIND OF WOMAN during the cable-tv explosion of the 1980's, on Atlanta's Channel 17 WTBS in 1986. I enjoyed it then and I still do today, and more so. This movie should have been a disaster, but it isn't, and I think it's because of the star power, the acting depth of the cast, crackling dialogue, and the lavish set built on the sound stages at the RKO Pictures Studio. It's grand entertainment all around.
Best Wishes.
Walter S.
Laura, Burr will make up for his evil ways on television for decades. By the way, when the Perry Mason series started, before the teleprompter, Raymond told me he hated the show. All the other people, Barbara, the two Bills, Gail Patrick, even CBS were all very nice, but they got to go home, and he had to hang around studying legal jargon.
Barry, that's a neat story coming from Raymond Burr. Do you recall where and when he told you this? 1960's, '70's, '80's, '90's?
Best Wishes,
Walter S.
Walter, I'm delighted that both you and Jerry have commented here over a couple of days - I hope whatever the tech issues were that previously prevented it have been resolved.
Thank you so much for your response regarding the film. I find it very moving that Jane was invited to be with the family after Robert's passing. It reminds me of Rosemary Clooney being one of a small group of people (Bob Hope, too) invited to Bing Crosby's funeral. I definitely agree that their friendship -- and indeed, admiration for one another -- comes across on screen.
Barry, that's a great story - having worked in legal fields most of my adult life, I can sympathize!
Best wishes,
Laura
Always one of my favourites. Glad you liked it too. Price is so funny. I agree about the excessive scenes with Burr. Not needed.
Below is a response from Barry to Walter's question above - Barry tried to post it himself with no luck:
"Walter, it was in Toronto during the early 1980s. He was touring in a play called Underground that ran here at the Royal Alex before moving on to London. The conversation went like this. Me: Look what happened after Perry Mason. Ray: I know, but it was happening anyway. Then he went on:' I was making a million dollars a year.' My take on that: 'Just say thank you.'
Barry"
Barry, thank you. These are neat stories, which I enjoy. Yes, I would say thank you to $1 million a year in 1966, which was the last year PERRY MASON(1957-66) was on the air before it went into syndicated reruns. Then came IRONSIDE(1967-75).
Best,
Walter S.
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