Holiday Affair Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive's Blu-Ray presentation of "Holiday Affair" delivers an impressive video quality that underscores the studio's commitment to restoring classic films. The transfer appears to stem from a fresh 2K scan of the interpositive, enhanced with extensive manual cleanup. This meticulous process has yielded a presentation that looks pure and unfiltered, reminiscent of nitrate film with silvery greys and deep black levels. The fine detail is exceptional, exhibiting natural grain without any significant defects, dirt, debris, or telltale signs of artificial sharpening and noise reduction. Compression artifacts are also minimally present. The depth and density are robust, providing a smooth and stable viewing experience from beginning to end, surpassing the earlier DVD release and previous home video formats.

Presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1, this release stands out despite the historically poor condition of many RKO titles. Although minor inconsistencies are noticed, the overall video quality remains rock steady and largely free from age-related issues such as debris and damage. Close-ups consistently showcase strong detail, while some longer shots slightly waver in sharpness, predominantly noticeable on larger screens. These minor discrepancies are less visible on small to medium televisions, ensuring they don't distract from the overall viewing experience. This release significantly elevates visual presentation standards for "Holiday Affair", solidifying it as a major leap forward compared to its DVD predecessor.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio presentation of "Holiday Affair" is exceptional, preserving the film's modest one-channel roots with remarkable fidelity. Dialogue is pristinely clear, devoid of audible distortion or other defects, and maintains center stage in various scenes, whether in crowded areas such as department stores and city buses, or open-air locations like Central Park. Additionally, the sparse musical score by Roy Webb is expertly balanced, showcasing a relatively full dynamic range. Overall, this audio mix is stable and crisp, effectively retaining the original sound quality with no unexpected surprises. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included and are well-formatted with no synchronization issues.

Presented in lossless DTS-HD MA format, the audio track is impressively clean, free from any distracting age-related anomalies such as crackles or pops. The film’s dialogue is well-recorded, making it easy to discern within the mix. The musical score also resonates with an appropriate richness, enhancing the viewing experience. Although there are minor instances of hiss or background noise, these are never significant enough to disrupt immersion. Retaining these slight imperfections ensures that fine audio details are preserved, thus avoiding the pitfalls of over-filtering. Compared to the previous DVD release, this Blu-ray offers a substantial improvement in audio clarity and overall presentation quality.

The Blu-ray disc of "Holiday Affair" offers a modest yet valuable array of extras, presented in a standard keepcase adorned with poster-themed cover artwork reminiscent of Warner Archive's previous DVD release. The supplementary materials are minimal but contribute appreciably to the overall experience. Key inclusions are the Lux Radio Theater adaptation, showcasing Robert Mitchum reprising his role alongside Laraine Day, delivered with enhanced audio quality, improving upon previously available versions. Additionally, the theatrical trailer is provided in high definition, maintaining a fairly faithful representation of the film's spirit despite minor source-related issues and an arguably misleading dramatic emphasis.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lux Radio Theater: This radio adaptation features Robert Mitchum and Laraine Day, originally aired on December 18, 1950.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece in high definition, accurately capturing the film's essence with minor source-related issues.

"Holiday Affair" is a charming romantic comedy from 1949, stars Robert Mitchum as a kind-hearted department store clerk who loses his job after helping a war widow, Connie Ennis (Janet Leigh). This unexpected setup unfolds amid a nuanced love triangle involving Connie’s loyal but unexciting suitor, Carl Davis (Wendell Corey). While the plot's simplicity and predictable elements might suggest otherwise, the movie maintains a compelling allure through its splendid cast and well-drawn characters. Janet Leigh shines as the mournful yet hopeful young widow, capturing her character's vulnerability and resilience, while Mitchum's atypical casting as a sincere romantic lead adds an intriguing layer of charm and depth.

The film's modest setting and straightforward direction by Don Hartman keep the narrative focused, enhancing the characters' emotional journeys rather than overshadowing them with unnecessary melodrama. Isobel Lennart's screenplay balances lighthearted moments and somber reflections, particularly resonating during key scenes, such as an awkwardly poignant Christmas dinner where Mitchum's sincerity is laid bare. Though the film’s episodic structure occasionally makes the plot feel somewhat disjointed, each scene is fueled by genuine performances and engaging interactions between the characters, delivering a sentimental yet grounded holiday experience.

"Holiday Affair" benefits significantly from its Blu-ray release by Warner Archive. The impeccable 1080p transfer brings a refreshing clarity to the film’s visuals, while the lossless audio ensures the dialogue and soundtrack are crisp and immersive. These technical enhancements allow contemporary audiences to fully appreciate the film’s period charm and subdued storytelling. Although not the most seminal holiday classic, "Holiday Affair" stands out for its heartfelt performances and unique casting, making it a worthwhile addition to any festive movie rotation.

Warner Archive’s Blu-ray release of Don Hartman's "Holiday Affair" delivers an impressive upgrade over previous home video editions, making it a must-have for fans as well as a worthy consideration for classic film enthusiasts. The 1080p transfer breathes new life into the film, presenting sharp images with excellent contrast that highlights the clever cinematography and period charm. Complemented by a lossless audio track, this release ensures that the beloved romantic drama resonates with contemporary audiences.

The film itself, while not a seminal work in the holiday movie genre, offers a delightful viewing experience thanks to outstanding performances by Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey. Their chemistry and naturalistic acting elevates what could be perceived as a dated narrative into an engaging romantic saga. The story, though simplistic and somewhat outdated in certain aspects, holds its charm through memorable scenes and timeless thematic elements around love and holiday spirit.

Warner Archive rounds off this release with appreciated, albeit light, bonus features that provide context and added value for the discerning viewer. Established fans of "Holiday Affair" will find this Blu-ray iteration a deserving addition to their collection, while newcomers are advised to sample the film before committing to purchase.

Don Hartman's Holiday Affair is a well-acted, entertaining, and... well, kinda silly romantic drama that nonetheless features a few extremely memorable scenes and moments along the way. It hasn't aged very well in some respects but still holds some value as a potential Christmas favorite for the right crowd, and Warner Archive's new Blu-ray offers plenty of support with another outstanding 1080p transfer, lossless audio, and a few light but appreciated bonus features. It's firmly recommended to established fans, though newcomers may want to try before they buy.