Son of Paleface Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Son of Paleface" exhibits a meticulous AVC-encoded 1080p transfer, preserving the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.34:1. It retains the fine film grain indicative of the era, without succumbing to digital noise reduction. Details are generally commendable, showcasing nuanced facial features and intricate set designs in closer shots, although some medium and wide shots lose this clarity. The color palette sparkles with rich Technicolor hues, featuring vibrant reds, blues, and greens that elevate the visual experience. Skin tones are handled with precision, maintaining naturalism throughout.

Sharpness, while reasonable, does occasionally fall short, especially in distance shots which sometimes lack finer details. Nonetheless, black levels are strong and consistent, providing the image a palpable sense of depth. There is a noticeable stretch of day-for-night scenes that don’t transition as convincingly, but this is a minor blemish against an otherwise solid presentation. The source material is commendably clean with no significant damage, only intermittent speckling and light flecks that are never distracting.

Overall, this Blu-ray transfer is notable for its robust color representation and faithful adherence to the film’s original visual style. While sharpness isn’t consistently perfect, the film's aesthetic and detail are preserved admirably, rendering it a vibrant homage to its period cinematography.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix on the "Son of Paleface" Blu-ray provides a commendable audio experience, delivering clarity and precision throughout. Dialogue is crisp, ensuring Bob Hope's comedic timing and nuanced one-liners are effectively conveyed. The background score and musical numbers, particularly those by Lyn Murray, are well-balanced and add depth to the viewing experience without overshadowing the dialogue. Sound effects, including the traditional canned variety and more vibrant gunfire, come through with punch and precision, enhancing the comic sequences.

This 2.0 audio track is expertly crafted to meet the needs of the film, presenting an undemanding yet satisfying soundstage. The absence of age-related issues such as hiss or crackle is notable, reflecting a meticulous remastering process. The mix manages to capture the essence of the film's era while providing a modern listening experience free of distortive extremes. Overall, this is a strong audio presentation that enhances the film's humor and musical elements, making it an enjoyable watch.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Son of Paleface" from Kino Lorber Studio Classics provide a well-rounded set of features that enhance the viewing experience. Filmmaker Greg Ford delivers an insightful audio commentary, offering detailed background on the production and history behind the film and its major players. A noteworthy extra includes the reconstructed 1946 stop-motion puppet short, "The Lady Said No," directed by Frank Tashlin, which also benefits from Ford's commentary. Though the package is not exhaustive, it compensates with the engaging quality of its content.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Featuring filmmaker Greg Ford, detailing production insights and historical context. The Lady Said No: A 1946 stop-motion animated short with commentary by Greg Ford. Hope Feature Montage: Excerpts from various Bob Hope films recently released by Kino Lorber.

"Son of Paleface," directed by Frank Tashlin, is a zany follow-up to the original “The Paleface,” reuniting Bob Hope with Jane Russell and adding Roy Rogers into the mix. The film follows Harvard graduate Junior Potter (Hope) to Sawbuck Pass to collect his father’s inheritance, only to discover debts instead of treasure. Alongside navigating debt collectors, Junior gets involved with Mike Delroy (Russell), a sultry saloon singer and secret bandit, while attracting the ire of Roy Barton (Rogers), an undercover sheriff's deputy. Tashlin’s directorial style infuses the film with no-holds-barred cartoonish humor, entertaining yet erratic, including Looney Tunes-style antics and visually exaggerated gags. Noteworthy gimmicks include Hope’s slapstick altercations with Roy's horse Trigger, and outrageous sequences such as hotel room chases and desert mirages.

Despite a stellar cast delivering spirited performances and the integration of musical numbers like "Buttons and Bows" and "Am I in Love?", the film struggles with tonal coherence. Hope’s quick-witted but often frivolous comedy clashes with Rogers' steadfast demeanor, producing a disjointed narrative flow where dramatic and comedic elements fail to synergize effectively. This disparity is especially apparent when compared to “The Paleface,” where the comedic elements felt more organically integrated into the Western setting. At times, the film seems caught between being a conventional Western and an over-the-top parody, resulting in an inconsistent yet undeniably energetic cinematic experience. Ultimately, while amusing in bursts and an incredible showcase of Tashlin's imaginative direction, "Son of Paleface" primarily resonates as a curious but flawed comedic experiment.

The Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of "Son of Paleface" presents a mixed bag balancing Bob Hope's legendary comedic talent and the charm of a technicolor western, albeit with some shortcomings. The film, though engineered to generate big laughs through dramatic tonal shifts, often finds comedic timing overshadowed by its attempt to turn the Western genre into what amounts to a circus. Despite this, Hope's evident investment and energy in the work are commendable and notable, even if the end result feels somewhat disjointed.

Technical aspects of the Blu-ray edition are well-executed, offering a strong audiovisual presentation that showcases the movie's vibrant color palette and clear sound quality. The release includes a selection of bonus features that provide additional value for fans and collectors. Although the film's disparate elements don’t always mesh seamlessly, the standout musical numbers and stunts performed by Roy Rodgers and his horse Trigger offer delightful, engaging pockets of entertainment. Despite its flaws, there are moments of enjoyment scattered throughout.

Conclusion: Hope works overtime to sell everything in Son of Paleface, and he's invested in the work, which is nice, but laughs are scarce, often overwhelmed by the tonal extremity. More appealing are the musical numbers, which allow the picture to relax, but those are few and far between, as most of Son of Paleface is engineered to be as big as possible, transforming the western into a circus.