Gay Purr-ee Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Gay Purr-ee" on Blu-ray, courtesy of a meticulously crafted 1080p transfer from Warner Archive, is an extraordinary testament to classic animation. Sourced from a recent 4K scan of the original camera negative, the visual fidelity is exceptional, offering a pristine and immersive experience. The colors are a standout feature, with bold primaries like reds, yellows, blues, and greens that somehow manage to be both vibrant and perfectly calibrated, avoiding oversaturation or color bleeding. The clean linework and expressive backgrounds are rendered with no edge enhancement, maintaining the delicate balance of maintaining original artistic intent while offering a contemporary viewing experience.

The film's theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 is adeptly maintained, allowing scenes to breathe within their expansive canvases. This meticulous transfer showcases animation of the highest order, highlighting the unique artwork and stylized backgrounds. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encoding delivers clarity and depth, encapsulating the film's homage to various artistic movements such as Impressionism and Pointillism. The details capture brush strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas, inviting viewers to appreciate each frame in its full glory. Even subtle imperfections like fleeting dust specks do not detract from the overall visual splendor.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray release commits to preserving the integrity of the original film while enhancing it for modern audiences. It provides a lush, vivid, and immersive viewing experience that accentuates every nuance of its hand-drawn animation. From vibrant titles to the engaging final frame, "Gay Purr-ee" stands as a masterful example of how classic animation should be presented in high definition, creating an enriching audio-visual feast that warrants repeated viewings solely for its visual brilliance.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Gay Purr-ee" in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono delivers an exceptional auditory experience, staying true to its original magnetic print master source. Professional restoration work has effectively eliminated any hissing or distortion, resulting in a clean and stable audio track. Speech, sound effects, and songs possess a dynamic range and absence of thinness or defects, standing up well alongside more contemporary recordings despite the limitations of its mono format. English (SDH) subtitles are available for those who require them.

The soundtrack is notably well-crafted, with Garland’s soaring vocals and Mort Lindsey’s orchestral arrangements reaching impressive fidelity and balance across the entire soundscape. Though the soundtrack remains in mono, it maintains clarity through its dynamic scale, neatly highlighting both intricate sound effects and the core musical elements without distortion. Notable voice performances add character to the film; Hermione Gingold and Paul Frees offer some of the standout contributions, providing unique vocal textures to Madame Rubens-Chatte and Meowrice, respectively. However, Garland's spoken delivery lacks the vibrancy of her musical numbers.

While the soundtrack initially accompanied a stereo release, the 2.0 Mono configuration translates the material into a fitting aural experience, despite not embracing a more enveloping sound field. Incidental music and effects, such as train noises and atmospheric details like chirping birds, are skilfully integrated to enrich the cinematic atmosphere. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio presentation highlights the film's vintage charm while delivering a clean and faithful rendition that honors the original material, catering well to fans who appreciate Judy Garland's iconic vocals.

The Blu-ray release of "Gay Purr-ee" is accompanied by an array of engaging extras that enhance the nostalgic experience of this timeless animation. The collection features a trio of delightful Looney Tunes shorts, restored to 1080p, each carrying a distinct French theme and predominantly starring the charming skunk, Pepé Le Pew. These shorts include Chuck Jones’s “Louvre Come Back to Me,” Robert McKimson’s “French Rarebit” with Bugs Bunny, and the Oscar-winning “For Scent-imental Reasons.” Fans will also appreciate a set of five demo recordings by composer Harold Arlen, with lyricist E.Y. Harburg, offering rare insights into the film's musical creations. Additionally, the theatrical trailer is included, providing a vintage promotional glimpse of the film. For music enthusiasts, a Song Selection menu grants direct access to all 12 principal musical numbers featured in the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Looney Tunes Shorts: Three vintage cartoons with a French theme, beautifully restored.
• Demo Recordings: Five audio-only demos featuring Harold Arlen's performances.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage promotional piece showcasing the film.
• Song Selection: Access to all 12 of the film's main musical numbers.

"Gay Purr-ee," the 1962 animated musical film, offers a colorful yet somewhat uneven cinematic experience. Sporting a vibrant array of visuals that nod to Impressionist artistry, the film's distinctive style comes courtesy of director Abe Levitow and the creative talents from UPA, an animation studio known for their minimalist aesthetic. The artwork, highly stylized with flat backgrounds lacking in-depth animation, intrigues but can overwhelm after prolonged viewing. However, this visual flair compensates for a threadbare narrative and manages to hold the audience's attention.

The plot, conceived by Chuck and Dorothy Jones, follows country cat Mewsette (voiced by Judy Garland) as she pursues a sophisticated life in Paris, only to be charmed and deceived by the sly Meowrice. Her journey involves humorous capers interspersed with musical numbers, some of which mirror Garland's past work with composer Harold Arlen and lyricist E.Y. Harburg. Despite the revisiting of durable themes akin to "The Wizard of Oz," the narrative lacks the dynamism and depth typically expected from its star-studded cast.

Garland's vocal performance shines through songs like “Take My Hand, Paree” and “Paris Is a Lonely Town,” displaying her signature vocal prowess, although the script’s simplicity doesn’t fully leverage her star power or that of Robert Goulet, making his film debut. The charming vocal ensemble also includes Red Buttons, Paul Frees, and Hermione Gingold, each added unique value despite the limiting script. While "Gay Purr-ee" may not attract viewers looking for robust storytelling, its combination of unique visuals and a spirited soundtrack ensure it remains a notable endeavor—offering quaint charm most appealing to younger or nostalgically inclined audiences.

Abe Levitow's "Gay Purr-ee" emerges as a mixed-bag proposition for animation enthusiasts. Among its standout features is the vocal prowess of Judy Garland, whose performance remains a high point of nostalgia and technical distinction. Garland’s contribution marked a pioneering use of a major star in animated cinema. Despite its rich color palette and artistic flair, the film is hampered by a threadbare script and sluggish storytelling, making it challenging to engage audiences beyond die-hard Garland fans and those with a nostalgic connection.

While "Gay Purr-ee" may not challenge the pinnacle of Disney animation, it is imbued with a lively spirit, thanks to its sophisticated voice cast, including Robert Goulet and others who bring an infectious joie de vivre to their roles. The film's strength lies in the Warner Archive's meticulous Blu-ray restoration. This release maximizes visual appeal with an impressive 4K scan from the original camera negative. The robust audio quality ensures Garland’s vocal performances are given full justice, enhancing the film's musical aspects. Moreover, the added supplemental content enriches this release, providing valuable context and bonus engagement.

Conclusively, while not destined to be regarded as a classic, "Gay Purr-ee" offers elements of charm through its star-studded cast and vibrant Blu-ray presentation. It serves as decent family entertainment supplemented by historical significance in animation and musical cinema. This Blu-ray edition stands out as the definitive way to experience the film, ensuring that both new viewers and nostalgic aficionados can appreciate its unique yet imperfect artistry.