Du Barry Was a Lady Blu-ray Review

The Warner Archive Collection has masterfully restored "Du Barry Was a Lady" with a 4K scan from the original Technicolor camera negatives, presented here in 1080p AVC MPEG-4 on a BD-50 disc. This transfer brilliantly recaptures the vibrant and lush visuals of the 1943 musical comedy, staying true to its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio. With a high average video bitrate of 34903 kbps, the technical execution delivers sharp details and a film-like grain that enhances the nostalgic cinematic experience. The hues are striking yet controlled, featuring a rich palette of primaries and pastels — from Ball's gleaming auburn hair to the delicate powder blue and fuchsia garments. Nostalgic fans will appreciate the subtle grain, a testament to the effort put into retaining the film's authentic texture.

The restoration showcases impeccable contrast and clarity, allowing every detail to pop while maintaining natural flesh tones and inky blacks. The print is pristine, free from dirt, debris, and artifacts, significantly rejuvenating the film’s visual masterpiece under the guidance of renowned cinematographer Karl Freund. The splendour of the Technicolor restoration accentuates intricate elements like brass instruments and dazzling wardrobes without ever appearing garish. In this impressive transfer, bold reds and soft lavenders coalesce seamlessly, rendering the visuals both breathtaking and lively.

Warner Archive’s work ensures that "Du Barry Was a Lady" stands out as a remarkable example of their restoration prowess, combining technical sophistication with a genuine homage to Technicolor’s historical allure. The level of detail—even down to Kelly's stunt double—showcases the team’s commitment to quality, securing WAC’s place as a leader in remastering classic cinema.

Warner Archive presents "Du Barry Was a Lady" with a meticulously crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono mix at 1790 kbps and 24-bit depth. This restored audio track offers impressive clarity and punch, with brass instruments and drums delivering a robust presence across the front channels. The track ensures spoken words are crisp and easily discernible, contributing to an immersive listening experience. Notably, the soundscape is free from any noticeable hiss, cracks, or scratchy noises, providing an unobtrusive auditory backdrop.

The DTS-HD Master Audio offers substantial fidelity and dynamic range, particularly during musical numbers featuring Tommy Dorsey’s band. The orchestral arrangements reveal a tonal depth, capturing lush MGM orchestrations, while maintaining crispness in dialogue, song lyrics, and sound effects. This balance results in an audio presentation that stands out despite the constraints of its era, ensuring a faithful reproduction of the original soundtrack without a hint of distortion.

For those engaging with the film’s auditory dimension, the optional English SDH subtitles enhance accessibility. Additionally, Warner Archive includes a "Song Selection" menu, streamlining user interaction with musical highlights of the film. This technical execution ensures that viewers receive an enriched auditory experience, aligning with the vivid visual restoration synonymous with Technicolor’s golden age.

The extras on the Blu-ray disc of "Du Barry Was a Lady" provide a mix of charming nostalgia and vintage promotional content. The highlight is "Bah, Wilderness," an animated short featuring Barney Bear, which impresses with solid visuals in high definition. This comical cartoon brings to life delightful misadventures of camping amidst unpredictable nature, demonstrating the classic animation style of Rudolf Ising. Accompanying this is the original theatrical trailer, enhanced to HD, although it retains the nostalgic artifacts from its era, offering a glimpse into the past promotional techniques that hailed the film as a spectacle akin to "The Great Ziegfeld." Together these extras enhance the historical perspective of the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bah, Wilderness: Barney Bear's camping adventures in an animated short.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original preview showcasing "Du Barry Was a Lady."
• Song Selection Menu: Instant access to thirteen musical moments in the film.

"Du Barry Was a Lady," originally a successful Broadway musical, transitions to film with a substantial alteration of Cole Porter's original score. With Lucille Ball and Red Skelton leading, MGM's adaptation retains only a fraction of Porter's songs, leaving much of the vibrant score to be replaced by less memorable compositions. Notably, "Friendship," "Do I Love You?" and "Katie Went to Haiti" remain as a nod to Porter's brilliance. The film lacks the risqué humor of its stage predecessor but manages to retain a charm through its glitzy portrayal.

The plot revolves around Louis Blore, who wins the Irish Sweepstakes, hoping to gain the affections of nightclub star May Daly. A misstep leads him into a fantastical dream in 17th-century France, featuring outdated majesty and whimsy—emphasized through lavish Technicolor cinematography. The ensemble cast, including Gene Kelly and Virginia O’Brien, navigate subplot shenanigans that fail to coalesce into a coherent narrative. The production stands out with amusing segments, notably by Tommy Dorsey's big band, yet comes across uneven given its erratic pacing and abrupt comedic intervals.

Despite structural shortcomings, the film serves as an impressive showcase of period talent. Skelton’s comedic timing stands out, while Ball presents her iconic red-haired transformation. Though dubbed vocally by Martha Mears, Ball's physical and comic presence remains strong. Kelly's role, while limited compared to earlier works, displays glimpses of his charismatic future roles with a singular dance number choreographed by Charles Walters. Overall, although the film doesn’t fully realize its initial potential compared to MGM's more elite musicals, it offers escapist entertainment consistent with 1940s Hollywood grandeur.

"Du Barry Was a Lady" on Blu-ray, courtesy of Warner Archive, is an exemplar of stellar restoration, with a pristine transfer from a new 4K scan of the original three-strip Technicolor negatives. The visuals are laudable, showcasing vibrant colors that exemplify Technicolor's peak, offering a near-perfect presentation. The film's lush cinematography by Karl Freund is a visual feast, with each scene being of demo quality due to the exceptional restoration process employing the original nitrate black-and-white separation negatives. Accompanying the sumptuous visuals is the DTS-HD Master Audio (2.0 mono), which delivers commendable clarity and depth, surprisingly so for an early-‘40s soundtrack, accentuating bands like the Dorseys splendidly.

Despite the film's thin and farcical plot, it remains engaging primarily due to lavish production values and performances by Lucille Ball, Red Skelton, and Gene Kelly. While Kelly’s talents could arguably have been more prominently featured, particularly in dance, the trio contributes significantly to making this second-rate narrative a vibrant viewing experience. Although MGM’s cinematic adaptation loses several Cole Porter songs from its Broadway version, the musical numbers included are well-executed and resonate well within the restored audio track.

In conclusion, "Du Barry Was a Lady" may not rank high among MGM musicals narrative-wise; however, it truly shines through Warner Archive's meticulous Blu-ray treatment. The restoration breathes new life into this classic, making it highly recommendable for aficionados of Technicolor cinema. Although it might be seen as one of the lesser MGM musical endeavors, its presentation here elevates the enjoyment factor significantly. This release is not only a treat for film history enthusiasts but also a masterclass in cinematic restoration.