Mystery of the Wax Museum Blu-ray Review

The new 1080p master of "Mystery of the Wax Museum" offers a visually captivating experience, thanks to an extensive restoration spearheaded by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation, in collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment. The primary sources were a 1933 nitrate print from Jack L. Warner and a French workprint, both meticulously scanned and restored to correct age-related damage such as scratches, emulsion digs, and inconsistent color timing. Utilizing the MPEG-4 AVC codec, the transfer maintains the film's original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, presenting a remarkably clean image with deep black levels, well-preserved detail, and minimal noise.

Ray Rennahan's Technicolor cinematography is given new life through this restoration. The two-color Technicolor process, characterized by a distinctive palette favoring greens, reds, and beiges, is accurately reproduced. Shadow detail and contrast levels are impressive, enhancing the film's overall atmospheric and creepy visual appeal. Despite occasional softness due to the fragile source material, the restoration exhibits considerable clarity and detail—down to actors' subtle movements while portraying wax sculptures. This meticulous effort has repaired nearly all visual imperfections, offering a viewing experience that likely surpasses even the original theatrical presentation.

Depth of field is notably impressive, especially in interior scenes like the wax museum, demonstrating smooth, cinematic movements without any distortions during rapid actions. Flesh tones are consistent with a peach/white complexion throughout and maintain good facial detail like stubble and wrinkles. Although some colors appear slightly faded due to the limitations of the two-color process, the overall color reproduction remains vibrant and true to the original aesthetic. Preparations for this release have resulted in a beautifully restored version that is sure to please both new viewers and long-time fans of the film.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track on the Blu-ray of "Mystery of the Wax Museum" showcases exceptional preservation and careful attention to detail. Dialogue is rendered crisp and clear, allowing for a seamless auditory experience. The original score, composed by Cliff Hess and Bernhard Kaun, is expertly balanced with the vocals and other sound elements, providing a moody backdrop where necessary. The absence of any obvious damage or sync issues enhances the overall experience, ensuring that viewers are immersed in the 1933 classic without distractions.

Despite the film's age, this mono mix impresses with its clean sound profile, eliminating common age-related audio artifacts such as hiss, crackle, pops, and flutter. The depth and clarity of sound effects like thunder in the opening sequence, the crackling fire with collapsing timbers, and the dynamic machinery in the climactic waxworks scene are particularly striking. Moreover, dialogue and other sound effects are skillfully mixed, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the sound design. Although there's an endearing analog hiss present in vocal tracks, it does not detract from the clarity and intelligibility of spoken lines.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track retains a well-balanced dynamic range that remains engaging throughout the viewing experience. Optional English SDH subtitles are formatted appropriately and are free from glaring sync issues, with only minor typographical errors noted. This attention to detail in audio restoration significantly enhances the film’s presentation and provides an enjoyable auditory experience for viewers.

The Blu-ray release of "Mystery of the Wax Museum" is meticulously curated, featuring a solid array of bonus content that delves into the film's restoration and historical context. The two audio commentaries by Alan K. Rode and Scott MacQueen are comprehensive and engaging, covering everything from the careers of Michael Curtiz and key cast members to the extensive restoration process, visual aesthetics, and thematic elements of the film. Additionally, the featurettes "Remembering Fay Wray" and "Before and After Restoration Comparison" provide an in-depth look at Fay Wray's legacy and the technical efforts behind the film's restoration, respectively. The production quality of these extras is commendable, ensuring a rewarding experience for film enthusiasts and historians alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary #1: In-depth analysis by film historian Alan K. Rode.
• Audio Commentary #2: Visual-focused commentary by Scott MacQueen with vintage interview clips.
• Remembering Fay Wray: An engaging tribute by daughter Victoria Riskin.
• Before and After Restoration Comparison: Detailed restoration overview by Scott MacQueen.

Mystery of the Wax Museum, directed by the illustrious Michael Curtiz, offers an absorbing tale of macabre intrigue from the pre-Code era of Hollywood. This film, now given renewed life through meticulous restoration, stands out for its impressive use of the Technicolor two-color process. Though this technique was notable for generating excessive heat, it added a unique visual flair that distinguishes the film. The narrative follows Ivan Igor (Lionel Atwill), a talented sculptor whose London wax museum is set ablaze by his unscrupulous business partner Joe Worth (Edwin Maxwell) to claim insurance money. The plot then shifts to New York, twelve years later, where Igor reopens a wax museum and suspicious disappearances start occurring, drawing the attention of intrepid reporter Florence Dempsey (Glenda Farrell).

The production values of Mystery of the Wax Museum are commendable, particularly given its sub-$300,000 budget during the Great Depression. The film features outstanding set designs, from the meticulously recreated London streets to the foreboding basement waxworks that host the climactic showdown. Curtiz's direction shines most during the fire sequence, which remains thematically and visually effective, capturing the melting wax faces in a horrifying tableau. The film adeptly balances unsettling horror elements with moments of screwball comedy, particularly through Farrell’s tough-talking reporter character. Fay Wray also provides a notable performance, despite her limited screen time compared to Farrell, delivering her iconic screaming scenes that cement her place in horror film history.

Immortalized partly through its association with Vincent Price’s House of Wax and subsequent remakes, Mystery of the Wax Museum is a seminal work worth its 87-year-old legacy. While some technical aspects like the two-color Technicolor may feel dated and distract from modern audiences' crisp expectations, they also imbue the film with a certain period-specific charm. Overall, this restored Blu-ray edition allows audiences to appreciate not only Curtiz’s masterful storytelling but also the historical significance and visual innovations that define this early horror classic.

Warner Archive Collection has delivered an outstanding Blu-Ray release of Michael Curtiz's "Mystery of the Wax Museum," addressing a long-standing demand for a high-quality upgrade. The meticulous 1080p transfer, sourced mainly from an original 1933 nitrate print with extensive cleanup and color correction, significantly enhances the film’s vivid Technicolor cinematography, bringing it to life with remarkable clarity and detail. This release features a thoughtfully curated set of retrospective bonus content, a welcome addition that enriches the viewing experience and adds substantial value to the package.

The pre-Code horror film stands out with its excellent performances and classic mystery/horror/gumshoe elements representative of its era. The Warner Archive Collection's restoration by the UCLA Film & Television Archive is particularly impressive, offering a polished playback that rivals contemporary releases. The inclusion of new and comprehensive bonus materials elevates this release, making it a must-have for collectors and film enthusiasts alike.

In conclusion, Warner Archive Collection’s Blu-Ray release of "Mystery of the Wax Museum" is a triumph that allows the film to shine alongside its more famous counterpart, "House of Wax." The exceptional quality of the restoration and the thoughtful inclusion of extra features position this release as one of the top catalog offerings of the year. For fans of pre-Code horror and classic cinema, this Blu-Ray is indispensable. Very highly recommended.