What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Studio Classics imprint presents "What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?" on Blu-ray with an impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, derived from a new HD master sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. The presentation is largely commendable, capturing the film's rather gaudy palette with admirable accuracy. However, there are moments where flesh tones do appear slightly pink, and variations in overall color temperatures and densities occur sporadically. These minor inconsistencies do little to detract from the visual experience, except in optical dissolves where the grain field may appear chunkier and possess a yellowish tint. Interestingly, this grainy effect also briefly surfaces in some outdoor scenes, not restricted to the opticals.

Moreover, this restoration has not entirely eliminated signs of age-related wear and tear. Viewers will observe minor speckling and dirt throughout, as well as some particularly noticeable vertical scratches with a purplish hue during key scenes, such as the notable kitchen showdown between Page and Gordon late in the film. Despite these imperfections, the overall video quality is more than satisfactory, revitalizing this classic with a degree of clarity and detail that was previously unattainable. Kino Lorber's effort ensures that even these minor flaws carry a certain charm, reflective of the film's original aesthetic integrity.

The Blu-ray release of "What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that, while not without its imperfections, generally delivers a robust and engaging aural experience. The dialogue remains clean and clear throughout, ensuring that no critical plot details are lost due to muddied soundscapes. Gerald Fried’s score, though controversial for its hyperbolic tendencies, interweaves effectively with the onscreen action, enhancing the tension with a slight, albeit noticeable, bit of clipping. Thankfully, there are no major audio issues such as pops, crackling, or dropouts, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience.

The DTS-HD format significantly benefits the movie by providing a rich surround ambiance, despite the mono track limitations. The natural environmental sounds, such as the wind rustling through the trees marking Mrs. Marrable’s victims' graves, add an eerie layer to the atmosphere. This is particularly effective in creating a creepy undertone that aligns well with the film’s suspenseful moments. Dialogue and sound effects are balanced adeptly, with certain scenes utilizing silence to potent effect, particularly during sequences where Mrs. Marrable prowls her house. Overall, the audio presentation succeeds in both immersing the viewer and maintaining clarity, making it a noteworthy component of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray extras for "What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?" provide an enriching insight into the film, offering a balance of historical context and promotional content. The audio commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith is particularly notable for its depth and informative nature, offering viewers valuable background information and nuanced interpretations of the film's themes and production history. The theatrical trailer, although presented in 480i, effectively captures the essence of the movie and brings a nostalgic touch for those familiar with its original release. Additionally, the inclusion of trailers for other Kino Lorber releases enhances the value of this disc, providing a glimpse into related cinematic offerings.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Richard Harland Smith: In-depth analysis and historical context.
• What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Trailers for other Kino Lorber releases: Promotional content for related films.

"What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?" delivers a gripping addition to the subgenre of psychological thrillers featuring aging female stars in desperate situations. Produced by Robert Aldrich but directed by Lee H. Katzin, the film stars Geraldine Page as Claire Marrable, a recently widowed woman who turns to murder in a bid to sustain her lavish lifestyle. The narrative quickly establishes Marrable’s modus operandi: inviting elderly women into her home as companions, only to murder them and bury the bodies in her garden while pocketing their valuables. These grim proceedings are established early on and continue throughout the film, creating a sense of inevitability and tension that permeates the story.

The performances of Geraldine Page as Claire Marrable and Ruth Gordon as her latest intended victim, Alice Dimmock, are notable for their compelling complexity. The film also features intriguing secondary characters like Harriet Vaughn (Rosemary Harris) and Mike Darrah (Robert Fuller), who add layers to the unfolding mystery. Despite its sunny Southwestern setting, which somewhat diminishes the Gothic undertones characteristic of Aldrich's previous works, the film maintains an unsettling atmosphere through its simple yet effective plot devices and solid performances.

However, the film doesn’t attain the high suspense levels of Aldrich’s previous classics like "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte." The lighter spookiness of its setting and pacing issues—which are acknowledged in Richard Harland Smith’s insightful commentary—limit its impact. Nevertheless, Page and Gordon’s portrayals inject the necessary vigor and macabre humor into their cat-and-mouse dynamics, ensuring the film remains an engaging thriller for fans of the genre.

What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? on Blu-ray offers an intriguing revisit to a lesser-known psychological thriller from the late '60s. This spine-chilling film, though not as renowned as related works like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? or Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, stands on its own with a certain campy charm that will resonate with fans of Geraldine Page and Ruth Gordon. Kino Lorber's release presents solid technical merits, delivering a mostly clean transfer that retains the film’s vintage character while improving clarity compared to previous home video versions. The sound design, while limited by the original mono recording, is balanced and clear.

An invaluable highlight of this Blu-ray edition is its audio commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith. His insights into Robert Aldrich’s career, from his broad genre work spanning crime dramas to “toxic femininity”-focused women’s pictures, add layers of appreciation for the film’s context. Smith delves into fascinating trivia, including details about the movie’s sets, external shooting locations, and the professional backstories of its primary cast and crew. Page’s transition from stage to screen and Gordon’s unexpected cinematic resurgence in her seventies paint a broader picture of the actors' contributions beyond this film.

This is probably not in the same league as What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? or Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, but it's kind of goofily (and campily) enjoyable on its own terms. Fans of Page and/or Gordon are probably most apt to enjoy this, and for them or for others considering a purchase, Kino Lorber has provided a release with generally solid technical merits and an enjoyable supplemental commentary.