Holiday Inn Blu-ray Review

The Holiday Inn Blu-ray video presentation remains identical to the baseline established in the 2014 release, incorporating both the original black and white version alongside a colorized variant. Notably, while the colorized edition displays inconsistent results with inadequate coverage and weak hues, the original black and white version stands as the definitive viewing experience. Encoded by Universal, this transfer excels in maintaining integrity with a natural grain field that remains controlled and unobtrusive. The lack of digital smoothing and other common mastering issues frequently associated with Universal's catalog releases further enhances its visual fidelity.

This 1080p transfer preserves the film's original 1.37:1 theatrical aspect ratio employing the AVC codec. The black and white transfer boasts impressive sharpness considering its 1942 origin, presenting a clean and unblemished grayscale. Excellent black levels and stark whites bolster the visual clarity, while consistent contrast application ensures a premium viewing experience. Divided into 18 chapters, the video presentation is tailored for optimal viewer navigation, contributing to a first-rate visual presentation that honors the film's historical and artistic significance.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono sound mix provided for "Holiday Inn" is a commendable effort for a film of its era. Dialogue is predominantly crisp and clear, though there are occasions where it slightly softens, necessitating minor adjustments in listening attentiveness. The musical aspects, integral to the film, are delivered with impressive presence through the front channels, supplemented by subtle low-frequency effects (LFE) that enhance the experience without overwhelming the system. While it won't challenge high-end home theater setups, the mix faithfully serves the film's needs with minimal hiss – an almost unavoidable artifact given the historical sound capturing techniques.

Notably, the dialogue and lyrics are well-recorded and professionally blended with the movie's award-nominated orchestrations and ambient effects, all characteristic of the period. Despite some minor hiss in quieter scenes—especially noticeable early on—the abundant music throughout the film mitigates this issue effectively. Overall, the 2.0 Mono track achieves a compelling and nostalgic auditory experience, highlighting the iconic musical numbers that define "Holiday Inn" while providing clear and engaging sound quality reflective of its classic roots.

The Blu-ray release of "Holiday Inn" impressively enhances its value with a robust array of extras. Featuring both contemporary and historical insights, the package includes detailed commentaries and fascinating behind-the-scenes content. Particularly notable is its well-documented colorization process, offered in comparison to past attempts. The inclusion of a recent Broadway adaptation adds a significant dimension, illustrating the film’s enduring legacy. Delivered with professionalism and thoroughness, this set is richer with biographical details and technical aspects that appeal to both casual viewers and enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc: A Couple of Song and Dance Men: Biographical insights on Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby. All Singing - All Dancing: Evolution of film musicals discussed. Coloring a Classic: In-depth look at the colorization process. Feature Commentary: Commentary by historian Ken Barnes including rare audio clips. Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer. 2016 Broadway Musical version of Holiday Inn: The Broadway adaptation with additional Irving Berlin songs.

Holiday Inn is a quintessential piece from Hollywood's golden age of musicals, featuring the incredible talents of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Released in 1942, the film centers around crooner Jim Hardy (Crosby) who, tired of the show business grind, decides to convert his Connecticut farm into an inn that is only open on holidays. Co-starring the aspiring dancer Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), Jim's venture into themed performances meets a complicated romance when his old partner Ted Hanover (Astaire) vies for Linda’s affections following his own romantic failings. This dynamic sets the stage for classic musical love triangles sprinkled with standout musical numbers, many composed by the legendary Irving Berlin. The screenplay bolsters a witty narrative that seamlessly incorporates Berlin’s memorable songs for each significant holiday, including the iconic “White Christmas,” which clinched an Academy Award.

Mark Sandrich, noted for his direction of successful RKO musicals starring Astaire and Ginger Rogers, elegantly guides the film through its choppy holiday motif. His transitions are graceful, maintaining the film's charming and light-hearted tone. This was Crosby and Astaire's first on-screen pairing, creating a dynamic rivalry that would be revisited in future collaborations. Astaire’s dance sequences, including the memorable “Say It with Firecrackers,” are intricate and captivating, while Crosby’s performances are defined by his rich, mellow voice. Reynolds delivers an agreeable performance, her dancing in “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” a testament to Astaire’s skillful partnering.

Despite production interruptions caused by World War II, including the addition of a patriotic “4th of July” scene, Holiday Inn remained a significant hit, paving the way for future musicals at Paramount. The film is further enriched by smaller yet impactful performances from Virginia Dale as Lila Dixon and Walter Abel as Ted's excitable agent Danny Reed. Universal’s Blu-ray release retains the high definition transfer from its earlier edition and provides an additional stage musical adaptation, making it a definitive collection for fans of this timeless classic.

Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby, Marjorie Reynolds, and Fred Astaire, is a classic gem from Hollywood’s golden age, now beautifully revived in high definition. The Blu-ray release features an aspect ratio of 1.35:1 with AVC encoding, offering superb picture quality that brings out the nostalgic charm of this timeless film. The audio, presented in English DTS-HD MA Mono 2.0, ensures that the remarkable performances and first-rate musical numbers are delivered in impressive clarity. Directed by Mark Sandrich and written by Claude Binyon with an adaptation by Elmer Rice, this enchanting movie retains its soulful essence and radiant appeal.

One of the intriguing aspects of this re-release is the inclusion of the 2016 Broadway musical edition on a separate Blu-ray disc, providing a modern touchstone for fans old and new. The additional content essentially creates a "2 in 1" package, adding significant value to this classic film's collection. The runtime remains untouched at 101 minutes, maintaining the pacing and charm that make Holiday Inn a delightful watch every holiday season.

Out of the two big holiday-themed films, Holiday Inn is a worthy competitor for White Christmas but struggles to maintain the same sense of joy and camaraderie that its predecessor enjoys. The fighting and squabbling of the main characters lend a darker theme if you look past the Christmas trappings and famous songs. It is worth noting that some scenes, like the "Abraham" segment, would be considered offensive by modern standards. Nonetheless, Holiday Inn is still a fantastic watch, and this high-quality Blu-ray release is well worth picking up if you don’t already own the film. For newcomers and collectors alike, the added bonus of the Broadway musical version makes this a highly recommended purchase.