Scarlet Street Blu-ray Review

Kino's Blu-ray edition of "Scarlet Street" stands out among previous home video releases, employing a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer taken from the finest available 35mm print safeguarded by the Library of Congress. Subtle imperfections such as occasional specks and light scratches are visible, consistent with Kino's approach to maintaining the film's authentic age-related wear without digital alteration. The high-definition transfer reveals a newfound clarity, vividly displaying fine textures in characters' faces and clothing. The monochromatic presentation is expertly balanced, with deep blacks, crisp whites, and a comprehensive range of grays. Grain is preserved without the use of digital noise reduction (DNR), maintaining the natural sharpness of the image free from edge enhancement or compression artifacts.

This Blu-ray edition redefines the visual standard for "Scarlet Street," far surpassing previous standard-definition releases. The quality of the transfer underscores a remarkable tonal balance, significantly enhancing the film’s atmospheric depth. Minor age-related flaws do not detract from the viewing experience; instead, they preserve the film’s historical authenticity. While an extensive frame-by-frame clean-up could further refine the visual presentation, the current high-definition transfer already represents a significant improvement. This release is a testament to Kino's commitment to delivering superior home video editions, making "Scarlet Street" a must-have for film enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The audio presentation of "Scarlet Street" on Blu-ray sticks closely to its original single-channel roots through a Linear PCM 2.0 mono mix. While the restoration team faced the typical challenges of cleaning up vintage audio, the occasional light hiss, intermittent pops, cracks, and splices do emerge. However, these minor imperfections are neither distracting nor unexpected for enthusiasts familiar with soundtracks from the 1940s. The dialogue remains impressively clear, ensuring that every nuance is preserved for the audience. Complementing this, the overall mix is sufficiently full, delivering a balanced listening experience.

Composer Hans J. Salter's minimalist score, along with diegetic music pieces such as Ernie Burnett’s “Melancholy Baby,” is rendered faithfully and sonically pristine—avoiding issues like brashness or tininess often found in older mono tracks. Nevertheless, the absence of subtitle options might be a notable disadvantage for those with hearing difficulties or who prefer this feature for clarity. Despite this, the mix’s ability to maintain clear dialogue and a robust audio presence ensures that it meets the expectations of both cinephiles and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-ray of "Scarlet Street" offers a well-curated collection of extras, combining historical insight with visual treats. Film historian David Kalat delivers a highly informative audio commentary, marked by meticulous research and detailed analysis. While his reading style may come across as a bit self-satisfied and scripted, the depth of his knowledge compensates for this. Additionally, the user-directed gallery allows for an engaging exploration of 16 still images and posters, providing a nostalgic visual journey. The inclusion of Kino Classics Trailers further enriches the package, offering a glimpse into vintage cinematic art from an intriguing era.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Detailed analysis by film historian David Kalat.
• Gallery: User-directed gallery featuring 16 still images and posters.
• Kino Classics Trailers: Trailers for "A Star is Born," "Nothing Sacred," and "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman."

Fritz Lang's "Scarlet Street" remains a standout example of 1940s film noir, an essential viewing for aficionados of the genre. The film draws on Lang's earlier work in German Expressionism, incorporating shadow-filled compositions and skewed angles to craft a dark and moody atmosphere. A follow-up to "The Woman in the Window," "Scarlet Street" examines morality through the story of Christopher Cross (Edward G. Robinson), an unassertive cashier ensnared in the deceptive embrace of femme fatale Kitty March (Joan Bennett) and her pimp, Johnny Prince (Dan Duryea). The careful use of dramatic irony bolsters the narrative, allowing audiences to foresee the tragic outcomes despite their inevitability. This structure underscores the film's tragic, almost cathartic impact.

Edward G. Robinson, known for his gangster roles, delivers a compelling portrayal of a downtrodden man trapped in a loveless, stifling existence. His character’s transformation from meek and sympathetic to a figure driven to despair and violence is executed with finesse. Bennett’s Kitty is equally captivating, her cruelty and manipulation vividly bringing the femme fatale archetype to life. Duryea’s Johnny adds further depth as a sleazy yet charming conman. The acting prowess on display supports a plot that, while occasionally relying on improbable coincidences, remains engaging. The reappearance of presumed-dead characters and other convenient twists may strain credibility, but they hardly detract from the film’s overall impact.

Thematically, "Scarlet Street" masterfully interweaves subtext on sexuality, sin, and moral retribution without falling foul of the Hays Code’s restrictions. Lang’s direction ensures dark undercurrents saturate each scene, making explicit suggestions about its characters' illicit dealings without overt depictions. Scriptwriter Dudley Nichols adapts his screenplay from Jean Renoir's "La Chienne," though Lang's version leans more toward moralistic gravity than its French counterpart’s humorous realism. The film critiques how societal roles and economic conditions suppress genuine artistic ambition, adding layers of meaning to its primary narrative. Thus, "Scarlet Street” stands as a paradigm of film noir, compelling in both its storytelling and thematic resonance.

Fritz Lang's "Scarlet Street" is a distinguished film noir that documents the moral descent of an unsuspecting man, Chris, portrayed by Edward G. Robinson. Initially a mild-mannered bookkeeper, Chris becomes entranced by Kitty (Joan Bennett), unaware that she, along with her conniving boyfriend Johnny (Dan Duryea), intends to exploit his side passion for painting. The narrative weaves into a gripping crime of passion, leading to a fascinating denouement befitting a classic noir masterpiece. Lang's adept direction and Dudley Nichols' script adaptation showcase the film's complexity and fatalistic tone, evident in its multifaceted plot and visually arresting cinematography.

The Blu-ray release of "Scarlet Street" by Kino Lorber is an exemplary addition to their Kino Classics line. Mastered in HD from a 35mm negative preserved by the Library of Congress, the 1.37:1 transfer results in a highly detailed grayscale presentation. This restoration brings out deep blacks and sharp image quality, significantly surpassing previous standard DVD versions. While minor speckles and scratches are present, they are minimal and do not detract from the viewing experience. The LPCM lossless mono mix provides clear dialogue reproduction, although there are occasional instances of hiss that are not problematic. Notably missing are subtitles; however, the supplemental audio commentary by film historian David Kalat adds valuable insight into the film's context and production.

One of Fritz Lang's best American films, "Scarlet Street" is a compelling crime drama that charts the moral decline of an initially innocent man. Classic film noir titles are seriously underrepresented on Blu-ray, so it's great that Kino Lorber is addressing this gap. Here's hoping they can license other notable films from Lang's Hollywood period, such as "Woman in the Window." As expected from Kino, "Scarlet Street" looks fantastic on Blu-ray; if you have been collecting the other releases in the Kino Classics series, this is another worthy addition. Recommended!