Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by rico (A) on October 26, 2006 at 10:36:44

This is not yet out on DVD (at least in Region One) but the laserdisc is spectacular, with stereo sound among the best I've heard, particularly when decoded through the Dolby Pro Logic II Music codec (lush music rivaling discrete Dolby and DTS 5.1). Jack Webb directed the screenplay written by Richard L. Breen and also stars as cornet playere and band leader Kelly. The film is laden with Webb./Kelly wisecracks, much in the "Dragnet" mode ("He went to CHicago to catch a piece of the flu": "He bought a few tablecloths and served spaghetti"). Filmed in 1955 in the very rare early Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.55: 1, the film at first seems too skinny, even on a wide screen TV, but as the crisp dialog, great music, and intelligent use of that very widescreeen ensue this feeling is quickly forgotten (at first I thought I had my display adjusted incorrectly). Webb leads a 1927 jazz band which is being muscled by local mobster Edmund O'Brien, who not only extorts 25% of the band's revenue but also forces Webb to use alcoholic singer Peggy Lee (in one of her best roles). Also on hand ate Lee Marvin, Ella Firzgerald, Andy Devine (in a surprising serious role) and Webb's love interest, rich booze loving socialite Janet Leigh (trying to look flat chested for the 20's styles but not really suceeding (also, as was common in the fifties in particular, all the hairstyles, makeup, and costumes just lean tward the true 20's styles). Melodrama but strewn with great songs and snappy sarcastic Webb lines. Fun. Spawned a short lived TV series in 1959 plus a couple of lps.