Tonight's Movie: Manhattan Melodrama (1934) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and William Powell are star power personified in MGM's MANHATTAN MELODRAMA (1934).

MANHATTAN MELODRAMA has just been released in a terrific Blu-ray print by the Warner Archive Collection.

I previously reviewed this film back in 2011, when I saw it screened digitally at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. It impressed me then and continues to impress me now.

The film somewhat calls to mind another Gable film from a couple years later, SAN FRANCISCO (1936). In each film a troubled Gable lives on the edge while romancing the leading lady, with a key male friend representing the positive path his character has not taken.

Gable's character ultimately goes in two different directions, providing each of these films with a memorable ending.

MANHATTAN MELODRAMA is the oft-used movie tale of two childhood friends, Blackie and Jim (Mickey Rooney and Jimmy Butler), who as adults (Gable and Powell) are on opposite sides of the law.

Blackie, who has gambling interests and runs with a rough crowd, loses his mistress Eleanor (Loy) when she tires of being taken for granted. Eventually she finds love with upstanding prosecutor Jim, with Blackie's blessing.

Blackie, meanwhile, isn't above committing a murder or two, whether it's a man (Noel Madison) who doesn't pay his debts or another man (Thomas E. Jackson) who's threatening Jim's career.

Jim has no idea of Blackie's motivation for the latter murder and prosecutes him for murder...but in the end will he let his lifelong friend go to the chair?

Other than the opening childhood scenes, which are both a bit silly and overly violent, this is a highly engrossing film. (Side note: Is there anything more unbelievable than Mickey Rooney growing up to be Clark Gable?!)

All three lead actors are excellent, with particular kudos for Powell in what might be the most difficult role. He plays a quiet, restrained man with deep-seated emotions, contrasting with Gable's flashier role. Gable is handsome and charismatic, but it's ultimately Powell who wins the viewer's heart along with Loy's.

Loy is incredibly likeable from the moment she enters the film, and her "meet cute" with Powell in a taxi is particularly endearing. She does an excellent job conveying Eleanor's love for Blackie and her shift in feelings when she realizes he's not going to provide her with the kind of stable relationship she desires.

The film has a very good script, written by Oliver H.P. Garrett and Joseph L. Mankiewicz from a story by Arthur Caesar (with uncredited work by Donald Ogden Stewart and Frank Dolan). The movie has some strong dialogue along with well-sketched characters -- and it also doesn't wear out its welcome, over and done in a brisk 93 minutes.

The movie was directed by W.S. Van Dyke, with uncredited work, including some retakes, by George Cukor and Jack Conway. The black and white cinematography was by James Wong Howe.

The supporting cast includes Leo Carrillo, Nat Pendleton, Isabel Jewell, George Sidney, Muriel Evans, Frank Conroy, Sam McDaniel, and Samuel S. Hinds.

For additional thoughts on this film please click over to my 2011 review.

This Blu-ray print is from a 1080p HD master from 4K scans of what are termed the best available preservation elements. It looks absolutely outstanding, and I highly recommend both this disc and the film.

Disc extras consist of the trailer; a Lux Radio Theater (9/9/40) production, performed over half a dozen years after this film's release, with William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Don Ameche; and a pair of Three Stooges shorts, THE BIG IDEA (1934) and ROAST BEEF AND MOVIES (1934).

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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