Dance, Fools, Dance Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Dance, Fools, Dance," stemming from a meticulous 4K scan of the original nitrate camera negative, presents an impressive visual restoration. Despite its age surpassing 90 years, the film retains an authentic and stable appearance with original textures preserved exceptionally well. Close-ups are a highlight, revealing fine details in facial features, costumes, and hair. While the black levels are generally steady and avoid crushing, there are isolated instances where softer textures and lower grain levels are apparent, suggesting possible interpositive inserts rather than native negative content. Despite these minor dips, the transfer stands as a testament to Warner Archive's commitment to quality restoration, boasting expertly encoded visuals with minimal compression artifacts.

Shot on black and white 35 mm film by Charles Rosher, and originally framed in a 1.20:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray edition is presented in 1.37:1. This slight modification does not detract from the viewing experience but complements the sharpness and clarity throughout the film. Striking contrasts and richly detailed blacks emphasize significant visual elements like Crawford's costume sequins and waterfront ripples, while grain appears natural, contributing to an engaging film-like aesthetic. Notably, Crawford’s back-lighting creates a halo effect that enhances her presence onscreen, further proving the restoration’s careful attention to visual storytelling.

The impressive 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer revitalizes this classic crime drama, offering astounding clarity and depth. While grain levels occasionally fluctuate, they typically remain well-resolved, indicative of high-quality scanning and encoding processes. With deep blacks, stable whites, excellent shadow delineation, and rich grayscale rendering, the picture maintains a superb filmic quality devoid of any age-related imperfections such as scratches or jitter. This presentation sets a new standard for viewing "Dance, Fools, Dance," undoubtedly surpassing any prior home video versions in quality and authenticity.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "Dance, Fools, Dance," featuring a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix, delivers a commendable experience given the film’s vintage origins. This split presentation from its original mono source, though coming with inherent limitations, generally provides clear and distinct dialogue throughout. The soundtrack captures the essence of the era with crisp sound effects such as typewriters clacking and car engines revving that enhance the dramatic ambiance while sparing the film of modern-day richness. Despite its attempts, the persistent, albeit often muted, hiss suggests an underlying river-like backdrop that audiences might occasionally notice.

Warner Archive's efforts to preserve the original dynamic range are evident, managing to dodge notable era-specific issues. Nevertheless, some audio deficiencies remain, such as a minor technical glitch encountered at the 72:40 mark where Clark Gable’s character appears muted. Furthermore, during certain musical sequences, the incidental music, although lively, overwhelms dialogue clarity—most notably during the party scene on the yacht. Optional English (SDH) subtitles accordingly compensate during the main feature but do not extend to additional content.

Under the constraints of aged and well-worn audio elements from 92 years ago, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track is quite strong for its time. Subtle surface noise can be discerned but is largely unobtrusive. The combination of attentively cleaned sound elements ensures no distortion or significant pops disrupt the mix. Ultimately, while not achieving absolute sonic purity, Warner’s engineers deliver a mix that honors the film’s legacy with sufficient fidelity—making this Blu-ray a respectable archival achievement.

The Blu-ray extras for "Dance, Fools, Dance" provide a rich, immersive dive into classic film history, effectively blending compelling narratives with meticulous restoration. The standout feature is "Hollywood: The Dream Factory," a 1972 made-for-TV documentary, revived in HD. Narrated by Dick Cavett, it traces MGM's illustrious rise and poignant decline with a wealth of behind-the-scenes content that juxtaposes the studio's golden era against its auction of iconic artifacts. Complementing this historical exploration are two vintage Merrie Melodies cartoons, "One More Time" and "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile," both animated by industry legends such as Friz Freleng. These restorations offer charming glimpses into early animation, featuring the character Foxy's brief stint in cinematic history. Together, these supplements transform the Blu-ray collection into a valuable artifact for enthusiasts of film history and animation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Hollywood: The Dream Factory: Engaging 1972 documentary showcasing MGM's storied evolution.
• One More Time: Restored vintage Merrie Melodies short with the character Foxy.
• Smile, Darn Ya, Smile: Another classic Merrie Melodies animation featuring Foxy.

Harry Beaumont's "Dance, Fools, Dance" is a pre-Code melodrama that boldly showcases Joan Crawford's early sound film talents alongside an emerging Clark Gable, in their first of many on-screen collaborations. At its core, the film explores the precipitous fall from wealth of siblings Bonnie (Crawford) and Rodney Jordan (William Bakewell) following the 1929 stock market crash that not only claims their opulent lifestyle but also their father. As Bonnie vigorously steps into the role of a cub reporter at the New York Star, she navigates a convoluted web of crime fueled by her brother Rodney's entanglement with a notorious bootlegger, Jake Luva (Gable). From exuberant dances to perilous encounters, the narrative intricately weaves themes of familial loyalty and moral dilemmas against the backdrop of a tumultuous economic era.

The film excels by placing Crawford at its focal point, allowing her to command attention with an arresting performance where her chemistry with Gable becomes unmistakably vibrant. Although Gable’s presence arrives later in the film, he leaves an indelible mark; his depiction as the suave yet menacing Luva complements Crawford's dynamic portrayal of Bonnie. The pair's magnetic exchanges not only bolster the film’s narrative tension but also highlight an undeniable cinematic partnership that would flourish throughout the 1930s. Additionally, the film captures the era's social upheavals through meticulously crafted sets and a screenplay that, despite taking time to escalate, seamlessly incorporates real-life inspirations such as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

While "Dance, Fools, Dance" may struggle initially to maintain momentum and bears some constraints typical of early sound films, it thrives through well-acted performances and charismatic star power. Warner Archive’s Blu-ray presentation aids in reviving this classic with its solid audiovisual restoration, paired with intriguing historical extras that will captivate fans of pre-Code cinema. Ultimately, its blend of underworld intrigue and star-studded appeal renders "Dance, Fools, Dance" not only memorable but an essential piece of Hollywood's Golden Age tapestry.

"Dance, Fools, Dance," directed by Harry Beaumont, showcases an important transitional phase in Joan Crawford's career as she shifts from her silent-era flapper persona to more substantial roles. Clark Gable's inclusion provides an early glimpse of their remarkable on-screen chemistry, which would become legendary in later decades. While the film may not reach the status of a forgotten masterpiece, its tight 81-minute runtime manages to deliver substantial entertainment value. The narrative, typical of early 1930s melodrama, intertwines sex, romance, and suspense, creating an engaging experience for fans of pre-Code cinema.

Warner Archive's release of this MGM classic on Blu-ray enhances its appeal considerably. The restoration is noteworthy, with a full 4K scan derived from the original negative that greatly improves audiovisual quality over previous editions. The disc also includes several vintage extras that provide additional context and interest for enthusiasts. This level of care in the restoration process makes it a compelling proposition for collectors and admirers of Crawford and Gable alike.

In conclusion, "Dance, Fools, Dance" holds significant value for film historians and classic cinema aficionados. The combined star power of Crawford and Gable ensures its place in cinematic history, while Warner Archive's quality Blu-ray presentation ensures the film can be appreciated to its fullest extent nearly a century after its original release. Highly recommended for those with an interest in classic Hollywood dynamics and the evolution of sound-era films.