The House of the Seven Gables Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "The House of the Seven Gables," presented in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio, showcases a respectable MPEG-4 AVC-encoded transfer on a BD-25. Although the print quality isn't as pristine as some of Kino's other vintage restorations, the film—over eight decades old—benefits from a notable digital makeover. The transfer successfully highlights Milton Krasner's elegant cinematography, featuring strong contrast, impressive grayscale, and rich shadow details without appearing crushed. However, minor wear is observable during scene transitions and reel changes, with occasional white specks and anomalies, particularly in the judge's chambers and the movie's opening scene.

Technical aspects are carefully preserved, albeit with a few imperfections, such as windowboxed (pillarboxed) credits and text scenes. The fine-grain scan significantly mitigates damage, ensuring that the hour-and-a-half feature maintains a compelling visual narrative. With an average video bitrate of 27,543 kbps, "The House of the Seven Gables" offers an engaging viewing experience despite its age. Kino accompanies the main attraction with eight scene selections, further enhancing the usability of this Blu-ray release for vintage film aficionados.

The "House of the Seven Gables" Blu-ray audio presentation features a DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono (1557 kbps, 16-bit) track that impressively preserves the nearly eighty-year-old soundtrack. The audio quality maintains a high standard with minimal flaws, truly showcasing the excellent state of the original master. Dialogue is generally clear and intelligible, although certain passages may require an increase in volume for better clarity.

The musical score by Frank Skinner transitions seamlessly between joyous and somber tones and is well-integrated with the dialogue and foley effects. Every element of the audio mix—from music to sound effects—remains distinct and cohesive, offering a richly textured listening experience. To supplement this, Kino also provides optional English subtitles, easily accessible through the menu or via remote control, enhancing the overall usability.

The Blu-ray of "The House of the Seven Gables" boasts an impressive set of extras that significantly enrich the viewing experience. Highlighted by an engaging and informative audio commentary from film historian Troy Howarth, the extras deliver a comprehensive exploration of the film's background. Howarth's commentary is both dense and accessible, providing detailed mini-bios of the cast and insightful production notes, while his dry wit adds a touch of humor. Although additional historical anecdotes are sparse, Howarth ensures no moment of the commentary is wasted. Furthermore, the collection includes a series of bonus trailers for other classic Hollywood films, enhancing the nostalgic value of the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth: Enthralling commentary covering cast biographies and production insights.
• Bonus Trailers: A selection of trailers from other classic Hollywood films.

Universal Pictures' 1940 adaptation of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The House of the Seven Gables" boasts an impressive cast, including a young Vincent Price, George Sanders, and Margaret Lindsay. Directed by the prolific silent filmmaker Joe May, the film echoes his roots with interludes featuring pages from Hawthorne's novel—a common technique from early 20th-century cinema. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the plot revolves around the cursed Pyncheon family and their ancestral home. Price and Sanders showcase the burgeoning talents that would later define their Hollywood careers. Price’s Clifford Pyncheon and Sanders’ Jaffrey embody contrasting ambitions, developing a compelling narrative of familial strife and moral reckoning. Although Lindsay's performance is a point of contention among critics, her portrayal adds nuance to the melodramatic fabric of the film.

While largely faithful to the source material, the screenplay by Lester Cole and Harold Greene introduces some notable deviations. Hepzibah and Clifford are reimagined as distant cousins with romantic overtones—a change likely intended to appeal to 1940s audiences. Additionally, the script adds an abolitionist layer, reflecting Cole's political insights, though this thematic adjustment feels somewhat underdeveloped compared to the novel's more nuanced moral ambiguities. Despite these alterations, the screenplay adeptly condenses a sprawling 19th-century novel into a tight 90-minute film, maintaining the core themes of greed, betrayal, and redemption against a gothic backdrop.

The film features precise cinematography by Milton Krasner but falters due to uneven pacing, which dilutes its dramatic impact. Compared to contemporaneous literary adaptations like William Wyler's "Wuthering Heights," May's direction lacks distinctive atmosphere and depth. Moreover, the titular house—meant to be a character in its own right—remains underutilized visually. Despite these shortcomings, the actors' performances and the film’s polished production values make "The House of the Seven Gables" an engaging if not entirely remarkable adaptation of Hawthorne's gothic masterpiece.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release of "The House of the Seven Gables" stands out as a rewarding restoration of a lesser-known classic. Though it lacks the high reputation of famed Universal horror films or the grandeur of other literary adaptations like "Wuthering Heights," it compensates with its atmospheric charm and commendable performances by Vincent Price and George Sanders. The pared-down, modest production offers a nostalgic quality reminiscent of a Classics Illustrated comic book, making it an engaging watch.

Technically, the transfer provided is above average with significant improvements over previous versions, including a cleaned-up lossless mono track that enhances the viewing experience. The disc also includes an insightful commentary track by Troy Howarth, packed with intriguing trivia and behind-the-scenes details. Despite some meandering spots in its narrative, the film’s dark and depressing storyline remains intriguing and is executed in a clockwork manner, with a "what goes around, comes around" thematic arc.

In conclusion, while "The House of the Seven Gables" may not be a genuine horror picture, it stands as a dark period piece with limited but noteworthy replay value. The narrative becomes somewhat predictable, and the film’s dark tone may not appeal to everyone. However, Kino Lorber’s presentation and the inclusion of Howarth’s commentary add value to the release. It is a recommended pickup, particularly for enthusiasts of Vincent Price and George Sanders, or anyone interested in classic Hollywood adaptations.