Easter Parade Blu-ray Review

The 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray transfer of "Easter Parade" delivers a visually captivating experience characterized by excellent black levels, vividly saturated colors, and a commendable level of fine detail. The film's rich vibrant colors particularly shine, with such elements as yellow gloves and skirt in the "Shakin' the Blues Away" sequence, and the blazing red feather boa in "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" appearing extraordinarily vibrant. Fine details like Astaire's colorful socks are more pronounced, enhancing the film's overall visual appeal. Moreover, the natural-looking grain pattern remains undisturbed by digital tampering, providing a genuine film-like appearance without noticeable artifacts or digital enhancements.

Despite these strengths, viewers might observe slight, subtle color shifts typical of Technicolor restorations from this era. These shifts, most noticeable in scenes with large uniform color expanses, do not detract significantly from the viewing experience but warrant mention as a minor imperfection. Background elements exhibit remarkable clarity, especially in sequences like the opening "Drum Crazy" number, where accessories such as feathers and furs display striking detail. Various textured fabrics and the clarity of rain in the "Fella With an Umbrella" sequence add further depth and presence to the image. While instances of overexposure are minimal and infrequent, the slight leaning of fleshtones towards a rosy hue doesn’t compromise the overall fidelity.

In conclusion, this Blu-ray edition, which seems to be a refined enhancement of Warner's 2005 ultra-resolution DVD transfer, stands out with its superior resolution and contrast. The pristine print is largely free from imperfections such as banding, noise, or artifacting. Though it may not achieve the benchmark set by transfers of "Singin' in the Rain" or "An American in Paris,” this version of "Easter Parade" remains an exemplary representation of three-strip Technicolor, ensuring a visually rewarding experience for musical enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "Easter Parade" features its original mono soundtrack in DTS-HD MA 1.0, providing a faithful audio experience true to the film's era. The voices of Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and Ann Miller are rendered effectively, with Garland's and Astaire's performances standing out for their clarity and presence. While Peter Lawford's vocal limitations are skillfully masked, the soundtrack's dynamic range is occasionally tested by Richard Beavers' higher notes during "The Girl on the Magazine Covers". Although the orchestral accompaniment cannot match the lushness of contemporary recordings, it manages to deliver a compelling performance, especially given the limitations of the original 1948 source material.

Despite the absence of a 5.1 remix due to the non-survival of the original pre-recordings, the DTS-HD MA 1.0 track excels in providing clean, distortion-free audio. Some minor hiss is occasionally present but does not detract significantly from the overall listening experience. Subtle sound details such as street noises, footsteps, and rain are more pronounced than in previous releases, revealing additional musical nuances within the underscoring. Dialogue and song lyrics are consistently clear and comprehensible, with musical sequences demonstrating solid fidelity. The percussion on "Drum Crazy" is particularly resonant, accompanied by bass that adds depth, while Miller's tap dancing remains sharp and distinct. Garland's powerhouse vocal performances are highlighted by remarkable dynamic range and rich tonal warmth, enhancing both ballads like "Michigan" and more dynamic numbers like "I Love a Piano".

While the mono track of "Easter Parade" may lack the impact and vibrance of modern musical soundtracks, it serves its purpose admirably. This presentation allows audiences to fully appreciate the enduring charm and talent of Garland and Astaire, preserving the magic that has captivated viewers for decades.

The Blu-ray release of "Easter Parade" retains several noteworthy extras from the 2005 two-disc DVD edition, although some key features are missing, notably the comprehensive "Judy Garland: By Myself" documentary. The existing supplements include an engaging audio commentary by Garland biographer John Fricke and Astaire’s daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, brimming with insider anecdotes and production insights. The "Easter Parade: On the Avenue" documentary provides a thorough behind-the-scenes look, including interviews with Sidney Sheldon and Ann Miller. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of the "Mr. Monotony" outtake and dailies, showcasing Garland's captivating musical performance and the extensive effort behind its filming. The audio-only radio promos and vintage radio adaptation offer additional historical context and delightful performances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Ava Astaire McKenzie and John Fricke: Affable and informative discussion about the film and its stars.
• Easter Parade: On the Avenue: Feature on the film's production with interviews and archival footage.
• Mr. Monotony Outtake: Deleted musical number.
• Mr. Monotony Dailies: Multiple takes of the cut number.
• Radio Promo: Interview with Fred Astaire.
• 1951 Screen Guild Theater Broadcast: Radio version of the film with Garland and Astaire.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original movie trailer.

"Easter Parade," released in 1948, remains an adored classic in American musical cinema. The film, set in the bustling vaudeville era of 1912, uniquely pairs Judy Garland and Fred Astaire—an arrangement born out of serendipitous circumstances. Originally intended for Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, injuries led to Astaire stepping in and Ann Miller taking Charisse’s role. Directed by Charles Walters following Vincente Minnelli's departure and bolstered by Irving Berlin’s stirring compositions, the film’s production was remarkably synergistic despite its troubled inception.

The narrative centers on Don Hewes (Astaire) who, after being left by his partner Nadine (Miller), vows to transform chorus girl Hannah Brown (Garland) into a star. The plot’s romantic entanglements culminate in a visually captivating Easter Parade sequence filmed on MGM's backlot. Noteworthy is the portrayal of complex, interwoven relationships; Hannah's earnestness contrasts sharply with Nadine's sophisticated demeanor. Additionally, Peter Lawford’s Johnny seamlessly infuses charm as another romantic interest, deepening the narrative’s emotional resonance.

Astaire and Garland's performances are pivotal. Garland combines vulnerability with nuanced humor, excelling in numbers like "Better Luck Next Time" and entwining harmoniously with Astaire in the renowned "A Couple of Swells." Astaire’s solo routines in "Drum Crazy" and "Steppin' Out with My Baby" exhibit his unmatched agility and technical prowess. Miller’s standout performance in "Shakin' the Blues Away" and Jules Munshin's comic relief as Fran�ois provide memorable highlights. Integrating song, dance, and romance effortlessly, “Easter Parade” epitomizes the golden age of MGM musicals—celebrating talent, resilience, and cinematic artistry with enduring charm.

The Blu-ray presentation accentuates these qualities with a rich 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video codec and DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. The meticulous restoration ensures that the visual splendor and auditory detail underscore the film’s timeless appeal, making it an essential edition for collectors and aficionados alike.

"Easter Parade" on Blu-ray is a must-have for aficionados of classic movie musicals. This Arthur Freed production, featuring the legendary Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, is celebrated for its exceptional Irving Berlin score, impeccable vocals, and mesmerizing dance sequences. The film's Technicolor presentation has been beautifully restored, offering an exquisite visual experience that captures the elegance and charm of the original 1948 release. The audio transfer, though limited by the source material, remains clear and well-balanced, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

However, the Blu-ray release is not without its shortcomings. A significant omission is the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Judy Garland: By Myself,” which was included in the earlier two-disc special edition DVD. This exclusion is a notable drawback for those who appreciate historical context and in-depth documentaries on film luminaries. While the Blu-ray includes a range of other valuable supplements, the absence of this comprehensive documentary may leave some collectors questioning whether the upgrade is justified.

By leaving a major extra off the Blu-ray, Warner hasn't made things easy for prospective purchasers. Lovers of classic film tend to be big fans of documentaries like the omitted Judy Garland: By Myself, and a first-time purchaser might reasonably decide to accept the trade-off of DVD's lower resolution in exchange for a substantially more extensive collection of historical materials. Those who already own the two-disc special edition DVD might reasonably ask whether the Blu-ray's image offers sufficient improvement to justify the upgrade. (The sound, though lossless, is limited by the quality of the source.) What Warner should have done was to include the second disc from the DVD set as a bonus disc with the Blu-ray, although I suspect that would have entailed additional licensing fees the studio did not wish to incur. The bottom line is that the best possible edition of Easter Parade requires the purchase of both formats. I am not making a recommendation, just presenting the options. If you love the film, you'll know what to choose.

(Update: Purchasers of this disc have reported on Blu-ray.com forum that contacting Warner customer service through this link has resulted in them being sent the second disc of the DVD set, which contains the missing documentary.)