Ziegfeld Girl Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Ziegfeld Girl" stands out for its exceptional video presentation, reflecting the company’s dedication to high-quality restorations. Likely benefiting from a 4K scan of original nitrate elements, the film is delivered beautifully in 1080p with an AVC MPEG-4 encoding. Retaining its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the grayscale depiction is superb, highlighted by rich black levels and vibrant whites. The silvery look of the film charms especially during musical numbers like Busby Berkeley's “You Stepped Out of a Dream.” The elegant stage performances are coated with high-key lighting, emphasizing glamour, with stellar close-ups capturing every intricate detail without compromising on depth.

The restoration successfully eliminates previous print damage, offering a spotless source that maintains a natural grain structure reminiscent of celluloid. The intricacies of the elaborate Adrian-designed costumes and set pieces, such as those in Sheila’s opulent Park Avenue apartment, are rendered with clarity and vibrancy, enhancing the viewing experience. Any concerns about visual artifacts are minimal, with only slight posterization noted in darker scenes. The uniformly high bit rate ensures smooth playback devoid of banding, ensuring that audiences can fully appreciate the film’s meticulously crafted imagery.

Overall, the upgraded Blu-ray transfer significantly improves upon previous DVD presentations, rectifying issues of past releases and providing a crisp viewing experience. From the ethereal beauty of the showgirls on staircases to the elaborate "Minnie from Trinidad" number, the essence and splendor of “Ziegfeld Girl” are impeccably brought to life, making it a worthwhile upgrade for enthusiasts desiring to revel in the film’s lavish aesthetics.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Ziegfeld Girl" is delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track, effectively capturing the essence of its original one-channel source. This audio track expertly reproduces dialogue and musical elements with remarkable clarity, providing a crisp and precise listening experience. Special attention is given to maintaining a clean soundscape free from distracting artifacts such as hiss, crackle, or sync issues, particularly notable in older recordings. This meticulous attention to audio integrity ensures that every spoken line and musical number is easily understood and appreciated, offering a vivid auditory experience that enhances the film’s historical charm.

Moreover, the soundtrack expertly handles the dynamic range of Herbert Stothart’s orchestral score, Tony Martin’s rich baritone, and Judy Garland’s powerful vocals, demonstrating excellent fidelity and tonal depth. The orchestration comes alive during musical sequences, offering a broad dynamic scale that captures the highs and lows of the performance with significant impact. However, some reviewers noted that the audio level may seem slightly underpowered, necessitating minor volume adjustments to fully engage with the track’s fidelity and presence.

English (SDH) subtitles are available for the main feature, ensuring accessibility without compromising on the technical presentation of the audio. However, this feature’s lack in supplementary content remains a point of contention among some viewers. Nevertheless, this Blu-ray release marks a clear improvement over past DVD editions, effectively addressing previous issues with sound quality and delivering a timeless audio experience that complements "Ziegfeld Girl’s" enduring legacy.

The Blu-ray release of "Ziegfeld Girl" expertly repackages all extras from the 2004 DVD version with select enhancements in audio, providing a nostalgic and engaging deep-dive into this classic film. John Fricke's insightful introduction stands out, offering an authoritative backstory with vibrant historical anecdotes about MGM's Follies, initially meant to feature legendary names like Joan Crawford. The extras delve into MGM's musical legacy via the vintage short "We Must Have Music" and complement with an "Our Gang" performance that pairs well with the film's theme. Audio-only outtakes breathe life into discarded musical numbers, enhanced for this release in DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio, alongside a well-preserved theatrical trailer. Complete with direct accessibility to key musical sequences, this edition ensures both aficionados and budding enthusiasts alike a thorough cinematic experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by John Fricke: An overview by a renowned film historian.
• MGM Promo Short: We Must Have Music: A historical promotion involving MGM's music department.
• Our Gang Short: Melodies Old and New: Comedic musical performance by the iconic group.
• Audio-Only Outtakes: Includes "Too Beautiful to Last" and "We Must Have Music" finale.
• Theatrical Trailer: High-definition presentation of the original promotional trailer.
• Song Selection: Direct access to 16 key musical numbers from the film.

Robert Z. Leonard's Ziegfeld Girl offers a sumptuous visual spectacle, embracing the glitz and glamour emblematic of MGM musicals. Released in 1941, it explores the intertwined fates of Susan Gallagher (Judy Garland), Sandra Kolter (Hedy Lamarr), and Sheila Regan (Lana Turner), each responding differently to the daunting allure of stardom within the iconic Ziegfeld Follies. The film stands as a noteworthy narrative in Hollywood's tradition of women-led dramas during its Golden Age. However, while its star power and Busby Berkeley's iconic choreography shine with classics like "You Stepped Out of a Dream" and Garland's buoyant performance of “Minnie from Trinidad,” the film's narrative sometimes struggles to deliver depth in its character arcs.

Garland, Turner, and Stewart dominate with commanding performances but are hampered by a disjointed focus across storylines, notably in Hedy Lamarr's underwhelming subplot. Turner, in particular, showcases a breakthrough performance, embodying Sheila's rise and fall with flair, which helped solidify her status at MGM. Despite its shortcomings, Ziegfeld Girl continues to captivate through its lavish musical numbers and star-studded ensemble, including memorable supporting performances from Charles Winninger and Eve Arden. The film's decision to exclude an on-screen Ziegfeld adds an intriguing layer, leaving him as an omnipresent force manipulating the destinies of his performers, enhancing the drama.

Technically, MGM's lavish production benefits from Berkeley's vibrant numbers and Adrian's outlandish costumes, elevating the film's aesthetic appeal, although a Technicolor finish is notably absent. While some insertions from The Great Ziegfeld may dilute originality, Warner Archive’s latest Blu-ray restoration faithfully resurrects these ambitious visuals alongside original audio. Despite any narrative creaks or an uneasy blend of melodrama with spectacle, “Ziegfeld Girl” retains its place as an entertaining relic that both celebrates and critiquizes the era's musical extravagance.

Robert Z. Leonard's "Ziegfeld Girl" is a distinctive musical drama that stands apart from typical productions of the 1940s. Focusing on the trials and tribulations of three aspiring young women, the film explores intriguing themes of success and its resultant challenges. The narrative, while ambitious, occasionally falters in maintaining dramatic coherence due to its multi-character focus, which some viewers might feel would have benefitted from a more concentrated storyline. Nonetheless, the film features standout performances, particularly from Judy Garland, whose contributions elevate the movie considerably.

Set against the backdrop of MGM's lavish production values, "Ziegfeld Girl" offers spectacular costume and production design, enhanced by compelling performances from a star-studded cast including James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, and Lana Turner. The film's transfer to Blu-ray is executed with precision, utilizing a 4K scan that vividly restores the opulence of its original presentation. The audiovisual quality is superb, offering a crisp and clear viewing experience that does justice to its historic source material. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes all supplemental materials from the earlier DVD release, providing a comprehensive package for enthusiasts.

In conclusion, while not necessarily among Hollywood’s greatest musicals, "Ziegfeld Girl" is an engaging and theatrical look into the iconic world of the Ziegfeld Follies. The combination of drama and musical elements provides an entertaining experience that appeals to fans of classic cinema. The Warner Archive Blu-ray release is a commendable format for this piece of cinematic history, ensuring that its lush visuals and rich performances continue to be appreciated by current and future audiences. Recommended for both musical aficionados and collectors of Golden Age films.