Double Trouble Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Double Trouble" by Warner Archive showcases an exemplary video presentation, standing up to the high standards set by previous Elvis-at-MGM releases. Sourced from the original camera negative, this restoration demonstrates meticulous manual cleanup, retaining the film's original texture and era-specific vibrant color palette. This purist-friendly effort not only captivates fans but also provides an inviting experience for new viewers. The dual-layered disc features faultless encoding, expertly eliminating common issues such as banding, macro blocking, and posterization, ensuring a seamless visual presentation.

Employing a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer authentically celebrates Daniel L. Fapp's vibrant cinematography. Fapp, renowned for his Oscar-winning work on "West Side Story," imbues the film with brilliant color, superb clarity, and contrast, maintaining a lovely film-like feel. The picture boasts rich blacks, controlled bright whites, and vivid fine details in fog and smoke. The sharpness of close-ups showcases the youthful cast's appeal, while vivid hues escalate during the colorful festival sequence. The pristine print is void of dirt and scratches, affirming that "Double Trouble" has never looked better.

Maintaining the original Panavision aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the transfer respects the film's classic format. Despite a characteristic softness suggestive of European foggy locales and smoky nightclubs, the Metrocolor remains well-managed, with flesh tones appearing entirely natural. This visual presentation remains free of artifacts, offering an uninterrupted viewing experience. For enthusiasts of Elvis and classic cinema alike, this Blu-ray release not only fulfills expectations but elevates them with its outstanding dedication to preserving and enhancing this cinematic piece.

The Blu-ray release of "Double Trouble" features a noteworthy DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track that expertly preserves the film's sonic integrity. The mix transforms the original one-channel source into a split mono presentation, showcasing crisp dialogue and a dynamic, song-driven soundstage. This audio fidelity ensures every campy conversation and musical number is experienced in full, with no noticeable age-related damage. The track exhibits a broad dynamic range, expertly handling the highs and lows of Elvis Presley's nine songs, providing ample space for Jeff Alexander's music score to resonate deeply.

A hallmark of this audio presentation is its clarity: every line of dialogue and lyric is easily comprehensible. The tonal depth enriches Presley's vocals, ensuring they are lush and resonant. Additionally, sonic details such as gunfire, shattering glass, and a foghorn are rendered with precision and no intrusive aural artifacts like hiss, pops, or crackle disrupt the listening experience. This audio effort is commendably consistent with Warner Archive's reputation for maintaining the film's original intentions without compromising quality. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are available during the main feature, adding accessibility for diverse audiences. The overall result is a meticulous and engaging audio presentation befitting an Elvis classic.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Double Trouble" enhance the vintage charm of the movie with a modest yet delightful selection. The package includes two classic Tom and Jerry shorts directed by Chuck Jones—“Rock 'N Rodent” and “Surf-Bored Cat.” These shorts, though not the most memorable in the franchise, deliver a nostalgic experience with their playful animation and engaging narratives. “Rock 'N Rodent” presents a whimsical scenario with Jerry disturbing Tom’s sleep as part of an all-mouse band, echoing themes from earlier Tom and Jerry tales. Meanwhile, “Surf-Bored Cat” sees Tom humorously tackling surfing obstacles. Also featured is the film's original theatrical trailer, encapsulating the movie’s lively blend of music, mystery, and comedy. A convenient song selection menu offers easy access to the film’s musical interludes, adding to the disc's appeal.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rock 'N Rodent: Jerry stars in an all-mouse band, upsetting Tom's rest.
• Surf-Bored Cat: Tom encounters challenges while learning to surf.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional preview of the film.
• Song Selection: Quick access to musical scenes.

Norman Taurog's "Double Trouble," often pegged as a low point in Elvis Presley's filmography, attempts to branch out with some comedic thrills and intrigue amidst its lightweight romancing and musical numbers. The plot revolves around Presley as Guy Lambert, a nightclub singer on a European tour, who finds himself entangled with two women and a set of jewel smugglers. The film's promise of European flair, however, is undermined by backlot settings and a plot that frequently devolves into formulaic antics typical of the era's Presley vehicles.

The narrative's farcical nature is exacerbated by feeble attempts at suspense; the bumbling thieves and the mysterious would-be assassin pursuing Presley feel more slapstick than sinister. Moreover, the film teeters under its storyline's superficial treatment of age-appropriate romance—a theme that feels discomfortingly personal given Presley's real-life history. Despite the opportunity to exploit the comedic potential inherent in mistaken identities or twin character plots suggested by the film's title, Taurog's direction remains lackluster due to the rapid churn of Presley films wearing out its novelty.

Musically, "Double Trouble" includes nine songs, though few capitalize on Elvis' storied talents, save for tracks like "City by Night" and the title song. The juxtaposition of lighthearted musical interludes against a paper-thin thriller plot adds to the film's scattered cohesion. A surprising low comes with the unfortunate adaptation of "Old MacDonald," reportedly eliciting obstinate reactions from Presley himself. Ultimately, the film's attempt at mixing up Presley’s formulaic roles results in a mishmash of comedic missteps and unfulfilled potential, likely only captivating his most devoted fans despite its polished 4K restoration on Blu-ray.

Norman Taurog’s "Double Trouble" features Elvis Presley in a light-hearted yet disorganized comic musical mystery that predominantly appeals to enthusiasts of his work. While the film does not rank among Presley's most notable cinematic efforts, it offers sporadic amusements and serves as a cultural time capsule of its era. The narrative, albeit confusing and accompanied by lackluster musical numbers—Elvis singing "Old MacDonald" is an illustrative misstep—fails to captivate an audience beyond devoted Presley admirers.

Technically, the Blu-ray release showcases an impressive restoration. Struck from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, the transfer is visually impeccable, offering pristine detailing that enhances the high-definition viewing experience. The remastered audio supports the improved optics with clarity and precision, making this edition a standout on technical grounds. While these superior production elements cannot entirely redeem the film itself, they provide an attractive package for collectors and historians interested in Presley's diverse filmography.

In conclusion, "Double Trouble" may not enrich the legacy of Elvis Presley's film career, yet it remains a moderately intriguing artifact for zealous fans and retrospectives alike. The Warner Archive's meticulous Blu-ray treatment renders it visually rewarding despite its narrative shortcomings. This release is distinctly tailored for those who treasure every facet of Presley's entertainment contributions; others may wish to proceed with tempered expectations.