Tonight's Movie: Follow Me Quietly (1949) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (1949) is a movie I've enjoyed multiple times in the past, including on Turner Classic Movies in 2011 and via a Warner Archive DVD in 2014.

It had been a number of years since I last saw the movie, so I was glad to revisit it this weekend on a brand-new Warner Archive Blu-ray.

FOLLOW ME QUIETLY is a minor yet well-made, interesting film noir/crime film which runs a snappy hour flat.

William Lundigan plays Detective Harry Grant, who is trying to find a serial killer known as "The Judge."

Grant is aided by his colleague, Sergeant Art Collins (Jeff Corey), and alternately helped and hindered by an enthusiastic young crime reporter, Ann Gorman (Dorothy Patrick).

In some ways this is a familiar tale, yet the direction by Richard Fleischer (THE NARROW MARGIN) and black and white cinematography by Robert de Grasse knocks this film up several notches from "ordinary" to "special."

As I noted in past reviews, there are many special moments, from the off-kilter camera angles as the detectives do footwork to the smoke-filled shots in the police station.

Rainy nights add to the film's evocative mood, and there's a great chase sequence at the Los Angeles Gas Works. A very spooky sequence inside a police station is also extremely memorable, even shocking.

The film was made with care and thoughtfulness, with the end result being a very watchable film which will be especially appreciated by fans of the genre.

The three leads are all likeable; Patrick's character starts out as an annoyance but eventually her relationship with Lundigan evolves into greater understanding, and even playfulness.

The supporting cast includes Frank Ferguson, Nestor Paiva, Charles D. Brown, Paul Guilfoyle, Marlo Dwyer, Douglas Spencer, Robert Emmett Keane, Howard M. Mitchell, and Virginia Farmer.

Lillie Hayward's screenplay was based on a story by Francis Rosenwald and, believe it or not, Anthony Mann, himself an accomplished director of film noir.

As a side note, director Fleischer's family name was seen several times at yesterday's UCLA Festival of Preservation thanks to the screening of restored Fleischer cartoons. More on the festival is coming soon.

The Blu-ray print is from a 1080p HD master from a new 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative. It looks and sounds terrific. Fans will be pleased.

The lone extras are the trailer and a Crime Does Not Pay short, DARK SHADOWS (1944), which stars Jacqueline White and a number of familiar character actors. Optional English-language subtitles are provided.

Thanks to the Warner Archive and Allied Vaughn for providing a review copy of this collection. This set may be purchased from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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