Road to Rio Blu-ray Review

Restored and preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, "Road to Rio" makes a noteworthy Blu-ray debut. This AVC encoded image, presented in a 1.34:1 aspect ratio, offers a balanced sense of dimension and clarity, even with the softer period cinematography. The image quality secures detail on costuming, set designs, and facial particulars, which support the feature's comedic elements. While the film shows some wear and tear, with thicker scratches and speckling apparent, grain is fine and naturally filmic, upholding the movie’s artistic integrity.

The 1.37:1 theatrical aspect ratio is faithfully maintained in 1080p using the AVC codec. However, this transfer shows its age, particularly in the initial sequences where notable dust specks and debris are present, revealing its old print origins from an HD-DVD transfer. Despite these imperfections, the grayscale rendition is commendable with inky blacks and satisfactory shadow separation. Detail levels vary from adequate to strong, enhancing facial features and production values despite occasional baked-in soft shots. While some scenes lack depth, rendering them flat even under bright lighting, overall delineation remains satisfactory.

In summary, while "Road to Rio" may not represent the pinnacle of restoration efforts among recent black and white releases, it successfully delivers a charming visual experience. The fine grain and grayscale management coupled with respectable detail levels enhance this classic comedy, despite minor technical flaws.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Road to Rio" is anchored by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that delivers solid performance, particularly given the film's age. The dialogue comes through with reasonable clarity—allowing the rapid-fire one-liners to be fully appreciated—though it carries a slightly muffled quality and some pronounced hiss. Musical numbers, while not precisely defined, are vibrant and maintain a spirited presence with agreeable instrumentation. Atmospherics, particularly crowd activity, add depth, despite not being highly refined.

Dialogue and music are given primary focus in this mix, with clear presentation throughout and minimal interference. Sound effects serve their purpose for mood-setting, especially during the carnival sequence and musical interludes, providing a commendable sense of atmosphere. Levels are well-balanced, ensuring consistent listening without the need for constant adjustment. Remarkably free of serious age-related artifacts like hiss, crackle, or flutter, the mix blends dialogue, background music, and atmospheric effects in a well-integrated manner.

Overall, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono track offers good fidelity for a vintage film, preserving the essential elements of dialogue and music effectively. This makes for an enjoyable listening experience that honors the original audio while enhancing it to meet contemporary standards.

The Blu-Ray release of "Road to Rio" includes a limited set of extras, focusing primarily on promotional materials from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. While the disc lacks supplementary material directly related to the film itself, it does feature a preview collection highlighting various Bob Hope projects. These previews showcase a montage of excerpts from upcoming Bob Hope features, providing an engaging glimpse into his other works. This approach may disappoint those expecting comprehensive extras but offers a neat preview for Bob Hope aficionados.

Extras included in this disc:

• Also From KLSC: Trailer collection for Kino Lorber Studio Classics' upcoming Bob Hope releases.
• Hope Movie Montage: Excerpts from Kino’s upcoming Bob Hope features: "My Favorite Brunette," "The Lemon Drop Kid," "Road to Rio," "Road to Bali," and "Son of Paleface."

"Road to Rio," the fifth installment in the beloved Road series starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, delivers a delightful blend of comedy and music, maintaining the franchise's charming, whimsical spirit. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod, the film features Hope as trumpeter Hot Lips Barton and Crosby as nightclub singer Scat Sweeney. After causing mayhem at a circus, they stow away on a ship to Rio de Janeiro, setting the stage for a series of hilarious escapades. The narrative, though admittedly thin, is laden with comedy and musical numbers that showcase Hope's comedic genius and Crosby's smooth vocals. Highlights include energetic performances like "You Don't Have to Know the Language" featuring The Andrews Sisters.

The plot revolves around their efforts to rescue Lucia (Dorothy Lamour), an heiress under the influence of her hypnotic guardian. Despite its 100-minute runtime, the longest in the series, "Road to Rio" trades on its leads' dynamic chemistry rather than a strong storyline. The comedic timing of Hope and Crosby allows either to seamlessly alternate between straight man and goofball, keeping the audience entertained. McLeod’s direction ensures that the movie retains its fresh appeal, despite some familiar gags reminiscent of his earlier work with the Marx Brothers in "Monkey Business." These elements contribute to a light-hearted, engaging experience, perfect for a fun night in.

The film also benefits from its notable guest stars and memorable musical sequences. Dorothy Lamour's presence adds elegance, while the Andrews Sisters' performances enhance the film's musical charm. Supporting roles by actors like Gale Sondergaard, who excels as the villainous hypnotist, and entertaining cameos by Jerry Colonna maintain the narrative's lively pace. This entry into the Road series remains a standout, ensuring that Hope and Crosby's antics continue to be cherished by audiences for their effortless comedic flair and melodic interludes.

Kino Lorber Studio Classics has skillfully brought the fifth film of the iconic Road series, "Road to Rio," starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, to Blu-ray. Despite its simple plot, the comedic duo showcases their undeniable synergy, delivering a blend of inside jokes and fourth-wall breaks that keep the audience engaged. While some of the humor feels slightly dated, particularly a barber shop gag involving shoe polish, the film maintains a vigorous and delightful pace. The musical elements further enhance the viewing experience, staying true to the series’ signature charm.

Among the most popular entries in the Road series, "Road to Rio" contributed significantly to both Hope and Crosby's box office success in 1947. The Blu-ray transfer, although not reaching the highest standards, still presents a satisfactory visual and audio quality that will please fans. Releasing the film in high definition has made it accessible for modern audiences, ensuring its comedic genius is not lost over time. However, it should be noted that this edition lacks any supplementary features, which might disappoint collectors and enthusiasts looking for additional content.

As with the other Road pictures, "Road to Rio" is crammed full of inside jokes and Hope's fondness for breaking the fourth wall, keeping viewers involved in the mischief. While some of the antics are a bit dated even for 1947 (including a barber shop mix-up that has Barton and Sweeney screwing up a shave, trying to cover it up with shoe polish), the overall endeavor remains energetic and musically satisfying, preserving the brand name's appeal.