Along Came Jones Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Along Came Jones" by ClassicFlix boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a faithful 1.37:1 aspect ratio, reflecting a comprehensive restoration effort despite the challenging condition of the source material. Leveraging a 4K resolution transfer from the best available elements, this edition excels in its ability to stabilize and enhance the original cinematography by Milton Krasner. The transfer meticulously works to repair extensive damage, including significant wear and tear, and notable improvements in contrast and black levels are evident, though some residual signs of damage persist—such as minute speckling and occasional warping.

Grain structure is maintained throughout, providing a textured, film-like quality that aficionados will appreciate. Detail levels are notably high, particularly in close-ups which showcase the weathered visages of the leads. The grayscale is well-managed, with deep blacks and crisp whites delivering strong shadow delineation. However, a slightly dark overall presentation can mask some details in darker scenes. Despite achieving an overall clean and stable image, noticeable imperfections such as optical dissolve fuzziness and intermittent damage remain but do not detract from the overall viewing experience.

Overall, ClassicFlix's restoration of "Along Came Jones" results in a commendable Blu-ray transfer that elevates the film's visual quality significantly. While not perfect, the preservation of the film's inherent characteristics and attention to detail makes this release a benchmark for future restorations.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track for "Along Came Jones" showcases the characteristics typical of its era while attempting to transcend the limitations imposed by age. Surface noise is consistently present, manifesting as faint crackles, mild pops, and a softer hiss, though these imperfections do not reach distracting levels. One notable instance occurs at around the 10:23 mark, where a brief pop is followed by an obvious shift in fidelity and dynamics, indicating possible cobbling from multiple sources or a damaged primary source. Distortion is minimal, only noticeably affecting louder elements such as the gonging bells of the Independent Productions masthead.

Dialogue remains well-recorded and intelligible throughout, managing to cut through the occasional audio inconsistencies effectively. The overall audio balance is commendable with a wide dynamic scale that adeptly handles dramatic shifts without succumbing to significant distortion. Arthur Lange’s music score fills the auditory space nicely, integrating seamlessly with environmental sounds such as chirping crickets, footsteps, and horse hooves. Sonic accents like gunfire, fisticuffs, and shattering glass are rendered with a crispness that adds to the immersive experience. While the track does exhibit signs of its considerable age, it performs admirably and complements the visual presentation of the film.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "Along Came Jones" provide a succinct but insightful look into both the film's promotional history and the technical restoration process. The Image Gallery features twenty-two rare photos, including black-and-white scenes, sepia-toned stills, and color posters. This gallery can be manually or automatically advanced, offering flexibility for in-depth viewing. Additionally, the Restoration Comparison provides a four-minute detailed side-by-side comparison that highlights the significant improvements made during the 4K restoration and digital cleanup process. Overall, these extras offer valuable context and a technical deep dive into the film’s presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Image Gallery: Twenty-two rare photos including scene stills, publicity shots, and posters.
• Restoration Comparison: Highlights major improvements via side-by-side comparisons.

Stuart Heisler’s "Along Came Jones" is propelled by mistaken identity, a classic comedic device transposed deftly to the Wild West. Gary Cooper takes on a rare role as the bumbling, naive Melody Jones—a tramp cowhand mistaken for the ruthless outlaw Monte Jarrod—demonstrating a remarkable departure from his stern, stoic Western hero persona. Cooper, who also produced the film, embraces this shift with an engaging performance, continually undercutting his typical strong, silent type for a more humorous, inept character. His chemistry with the witty sidekick George (William Demarest) and the beguiling Cherry de Longpre (Loretta Young), who’s involved with the real outlaw Jarrod, fuels much of the narrative’s charm and comedy.

The screenplay by Nunnally Johnson, adapted from Alan LeMay’s novel, interweaves humor, romance, and action in a manner that’s both whimsical and endearing, even if not overtly hilarious. The unexpected dovetailing of genres—inserting screwball comedy tropes into a Western setting—presents an entertaining dynamic, though occasionally slowed by predictable plot contrivances. The deconstructive tilt makes Cooper’s hapless hero and Young’s resilient heroine engagingly unconventional, though some rear projection work does falter, detracting slightly from the immersive experience.

Supported by Duryea's menacing Monte and sturdy performances from the ensemble cast, including standout moments from Demarest and Sullivan, the film maintains its light-hearted journey despite its occasional production limitations. Cinematographer Milton Krasner’s shadowy visuals, juxtaposed with Julia Heron’s set design and Walter Plunkett’s costumes, subtly elevate the film's aesthetic despite its limited budget. "Along Came Jones" may seem trivial at first glance, but its nuanced performances and playful narrative ensure a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience.

"Along Came Jones" offers a unique blend of comedy, romance, and action, headlined by standout performances from Gary Cooper, Loretta Young, and William Demarest. Cooper, playing against type as a charming yet bumbling cowhand mistaken for a notorious outlaw, provides a refreshing departure from his usual Western hero roles. This colorful narrative, coupled with the endearing character interactions, retains a lighthearted charm throughout, though it's more amiably humorous than uproariously funny.

The film's technical aspects are commendable. Director Stuart Heisler and cinematographer Milton R. Krasner's collaboration yields an interesting visual style that often veers into noir territory with well-executed chiaroscuro lighting techniques particularly in the second half. ClassicFlix's 4K restoration elevates the film's aesthetic appeal, offering a crisp and vibrant transfer that undoubtedly revives its historical significance. Although special features are minimal, the quality of the restoration itself makes this release worthy for fans of Westerns and Golden Age cinema alike.

There are a couple of interesting if tangential things about "Along Came Jones" that may interest those who otherwise might not care one whit about a largely forgotten comedy western with two stars who are sadly perhaps also becoming forgotten. First of all, the film closes with a little vignette which may make some a bit uneasy in this #metoo environment that is sweeping the nation. Less problematically, though, this film is a really interesting stylistic collaboration between director Stuart Heisler and cinematographer Milton R. Krasner, and in fact some of the uncharacteristic chiaroscuro lighting techniques in the second half of the film would have been more at home in a noir (there's a very interesting little B film from Heisler that anticipates several noir stylistic conceits, 1941's "Among the Living," with Albert Dekker as twins, one of whom is crazed, Susan Hayward as a floozy who attracts the crazy one and Frances Farmer as the wife of the normal one). "Along Came Jones" is fitfully humorous, if rarely laugh-out-loud hilarious, and ClassicFlix has done another nice job in rescuing a lesser-remembered film from the ash heap of history. Recommended.