Blue Skies Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Blue Skies" delivers an impressive 1080p MPEG-4 AVC high-definition transfer, sourced from a meticulous 2K restoration. The presentation preserves the original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, faithfully replicating the cinematic experience intended by the original filmmakers. The black and white cinematography is exceptionally rendered, with rich, velvety blacks and vibrant highlights, particularly in sequences such as the "Puttin’ On the Ritz" number. The visual encoding avoids major compression issues, ensuring fluid motion in dance routines and maintaining the film's organic texture.

The 2K master unlocks the full potential of the film's Technicolor cinematography, capturing the lavish visuals crafted by cinematographers Charles Lang and William E. Snyder. This transfer excels in clarity and contrast, offering a vibrant, film-like image with beautifully resolved grain. Primary colors are vividly showcased, enhancing the aesthetic brilliance of Edith Head’s costumes and the intricate set designs by Sam Comer and Maurice Goodman. Despite a few instances of minimal color breathing and fluctuation, which are minor, the presentation is largely flawless, illustrating superior shadow delineation and natural flesh tones throughout.

The restoration effort revitalizes this 75-year-old classic, ensuring no significant age-related defects such as scratches or dirt specks disrupt its presentation. The intentional shadow work in several scenes remains well-defined, complementing the dynamic color palette, which includes bold reds and an array of pastels. This top-tier restoration and transfer by Kino Lorber will undoubtedly please enthusiasts and collectors, providing a splendid visual experience that honors the film's historical and artistic significance.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Blue Skies," remastered in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono, impressively marries nostalgic charm with modern sound fidelity. This release offers a rich, clear, and well-modulated experience that complements the video restoration excellently. Robert Emmett Dolan's Oscar-nominated score, alongside the vivid reproduction of Bing Crosby's renowned baritone, is delivered with remarkable tonal depth and dynamic range. While the soundtrack successfully captures the ambient sounds like chirping birds and applause without distortion, there were notable issues with Fred Astaire's tap solos - predominantly in the earlier prints.

Initial pressings, unfortunately, presented volume inconsistencies, particularly with muted tap dance sequences. These shortcomings required action from Kino Lorber, resulting in a disc replacement initiative to correct the audio errors in Fred Astaire's dance numbers such as "Puttin' on the Ritz" and "A Couple of Song and Dance Men." Subsequent pressings now feature distinctly improved tap sounds, markedly enhancing the viewing experience. Despite this improvement, some sequences like "Heat Wave" and "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" still experience slight audio lightness, suggesting room for further refinement.

Dialogue articulation throughout is commendable, and musical numbers are imbued with the warmth and richness they deserve. The earlier disruption surrounding Fred Astaire's performances was addressed; however, those lingering inconsistencies underscore an occasional disconnect in audio mixing precision. Fortunately, no extraneous background hiss or pops detract from the track. Overall, the Blu-ray’s audio quality, barring the highlighted imperfections with dance sounds, firmly positions itself as an exemplary effort to preserve history through sound in high definition.

The Blu-ray release of "Blue Skies" offers a singular audio commentary by renowned film critic and author Simon Abrams, elevating its value with rich and engaging insights. Abrams, with a deep admiration for the film, dissects it as a "neurotic musical," providing a comprehensive analysis that covers everything from Astaire's dance prowess, Crosby's understated rehearsal strategy, and the production's turbulent history. He vividly narrates intricate behind-the-scenes details, highlighting potential casting changes, personal dynamics during filming, and the broader cultural context of the era. While the commentary may seem scattered at times, its depth is informative for both die-hard fans and casual viewers, uncovering the film's unique blend of drama and musicality. In addition to Abrams's insightful narrative, the disc includes a series of trailers encompassing other classic musicals.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Simon Abrams: Insightful analysis of the film’s production and cultural impact.
• Road to Morocco – Trailer: Promotional clip.
• Daddy Long Legs – Trailer: Promotional clip.
• Love Me Tonight – Trailer: Promotional clip.
• Thoroughly Modern Millie – Trailer: Promotional clip.

"Blue Skies," a post-World War II musical anchored by the legendary talents of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, offers a glimpse into an era where film thrived on song-and-dance narratives. The production, driven by an original concept from Irving Berlin, intertwines the talents of Crosby's crooning and Astaire's polished footwork with a storyline that navigates romantic complexities in an entertainment-infused nightclub setting. Despite the film’s $100M blockbuster status upon release, its barebones narrative, which follows the love triangle among nightclub owner Johnny Adams (Crosby), dance star Jed Potter (Astaire), and singer Mary O'Hara (Joan Caulfield), exposes its unwavering dedication to showcasing Berlin’s evergreen musical score rather than constructing a robust storyline. The visual and auditory allure is undeniably enriched by Charles Lang and William E. Snyder’s sophisticated cinematography and Robert Emmett Dolan’s vibrant score, ensuring the movie's technical excellence despite the narrative thinness.

The film’s polished aesthetic is completed with Hans Dreier and Hal Pereira’s captivating art direction, which complements Sam Comer and Maurice Goodman's lush set decorations, creating an opulent backdrop for Berlin's musical landscape. Wally Westmore’s exemplary makeup artistry pairs with the glamorous costuming by Waldo Angelo, Edith Head, and Barbara Karinska, imbuing each character with old Hollywood charm. Despite these visual joys, however, Caulfield's performance lacks depth, with her vocal tracks dubbed and dancing minimally showcased—a limitation noted by Astaire during production. Astaire’s standout routine 'Puttin' on the Ritz' employs remarkable visual effects, a feat representative of the film’s dedication to technical gleam over substantial narrative development.

While "Blue Skies" illuminates Berlin's musical prowess through iconic tracks like "Puttin' on the Ritz" and the Oscar-nominated "You Keep Coming Back Like a Song," its memorable highlights are undercut by a weaker plot and less engaging character dynamics compared to its predecessor "Holiday Inn." The slightly faded allure doesn’t entirely overshadow the charm emanating from Crosby and Astaire’s nuanced performances. Blue Skies remains a significant chapter in early Hollywood musicals and functions as an enigmatic time capsule blending nostalgic melody with post-war disenchantment.

"Blue Skies" is a Technicolor Hollywood musical that brilliantly showcases the talents of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Joan Caulfield. Not only does it feature captivating performances from its stars, but it also dazzles with classic Irving Berlin compositions like "Puttin' on the Ritz." While Crosby and Astaire's charm and chemistry attempt to inject vigor into the narrative, the film ultimately struggles to match the impact of its predecessor, "Holiday Inn." This Blu-ray edition benefits from a meticulous 2K restoration and enhanced audio, ensuring that the film's visual and auditory experience is presented in the best light possible.

The film’s conception situates itself as a connector between familiar pre-World War II nostalgia and post-war optimism, which might appeal to history buffs. Critic Simon Abrams notes the dichotomy in Astaire’s dance routines that reflect his character’s nuances, while Bing Crosby's aura of effortless grace masks his reluctance to rehearse with an illusion of superior dance prowess. Details such as these make the film an interesting study for enthusiasts of classic cinema and those interested in the behind-the-scenes intricacies of Hollywood's golden era.

In conclusion, "Blue Skies" is a must-watch for devoted fans of Crosby and Astaire, though it may not wholly captivate newcomers. While the story lacks the depth and exuberance of its iconic predecessor, it remains a testament to the era's filmmaking craftsmanship. The Blu-ray release offers a laudable presentation of this classic, making it a worthwhile endeavor for collectors of historical cinema and music aficionados seeking high-quality audio and video fidelity. Overall, "Blue Skies" is recommended for those who appreciate classic musicals and are interested in owning a piece of Hollywood history in restored glory.