Johnny Come Lately Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Johnny Come Lately" by Olive Films offers a respectable AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. Despite its vintage origin, the presentation demonstrates commendable effort in preserving the film's visual integrity. The transfer maintains high contrast levels throughout, providing deep, rich blacks with no signs of crush or banding. Shadow delineation is robust, while the grayscale offers excellent separation between black and white spectra. Whites are notably even, avoiding any glossy or blown-out appearance, contributing to a consistent image quality. However, the transfer is not without its imperfections, with age-related wear, such as minor blemishes, large scratches, and occasional frame misalignment, resulting in a slightly jittery visual experience.

Fine detail is generally impressive, with some sequences showcasing remarkable clarity, such as visible fibers on clothing. However, there are moments where variable softness and the presence of grain obscure facial features and textural elements. The image exhibits noticeable noise at times, along with sporadic white specks and occasional screen flicker. Although cleaned up to some degree, these elements reflect the film's age and limitations of the transfer process. While the image can appear flat in places, lacking depth, the overall presentation remains watchable and enjoyable for viewers, delivering strong performance in contrast and grayscale while navigating its inherent flaws effectively.

The audio presentation of "Johnny Come Lately" on Blu-ray exhibits a DTS-HD 1.0 mix that, while not groundbreaking, achieves a commendable balance in its delivery. Dialogue is predominantly clear and intelligible, crucial for a film of this nature where the spoken word drives much of the narrative. Leigh Harline's Academy Award-nominated score is reproduced well, providing an enriching auditory experience that complements the dialogues without overpowering them. The mix judiciously handles the interlacing of dialogue, background effects, and music, maintaining a balance with only slight variations.

However, it is important to note the recurring fidelity issues within the soundtrack. There are moments where the audio exhibits pops, crackles, and what appears to be stem damage. Such distortions result in parts of sentences sounding muffled and unclear, an issue that audiophiles will undoubtedly notice. Despite these concerns, the sound quality remains decent enough to support the film’s primary audio elements effectively. The mix is generally free from persistent hisses or clicks that could detract from the viewing experience, lending a surprising depth and layering to certain scenes that enhance the overall cinematic feel.

In summary, while the DTS-HD 1.0 mix for "Johnny Come Lately" does suffer from some technical imperfections, it capably carries the dialogue and score in a manner that supports and occasionally elevates the film. The fidelity issues are intermittent but present, requiring audiophiles to temper their expectations. Nonetheless, the overall auditory experience remains proficient for a film of its era.

The Blu-ray release of "Johnny Come Lately" unfortunately does not include any extras, lacking supplementary materials that might provide deeper insight or enhance the viewer's experience of the film. This omission of bonus features is particularly notable for cinephiles who might look forward to behind-the-scenes content or historical context. While the main feature remains the central attraction, the absence of extras might be disappointing for those seeking added value in their home entertainment collections.

Extras included in this disc:

None: This Blu-ray disc does not contain any special features or supplements.

"Johnny Come Lately," starring James Cagney, takes a nostalgic yet poignant dive into early 20th-century American journalism, focusing on themes of corruption and moral integrity. The film features an ex-newspaperman named Tom Richards (Cagney), who reluctantly rejuvenates a small-town paper, the Shield and Banner, under the altruistic yet hapless ownership of Vinnie McLeod (Grace George). Tom's primary conflict unfolds against Big Boss W.M. Dougherty (Edward McNamara), whose iron-fisted control of the town manifests through corrupt judges and coercing local businesses to contribute to his faux-charitable endeavors.

Grace George's performance as Vinnie offers a balance of warmth and tenacity, while Cagney's portrayal anchors the film with an indomitable screen presence, contrasting his initial hesitance with a revitalized zeal for justice. Supporting characters, including Marjorie Main as the flamboyant club owner Gashouse Mary, and Margaret Hamilton in a comedic turn, add enlivened but sometimes overly emphatic angles to the narrative, though they can feel oddly placed and underdeveloped at times.

Despite its earnest storytelling and nostalgic charm, "Johnny Come Lately" falters with inconsistent pacing and superficial explorations of its central themes. The film's abrupt shift from sentimental reflection to sudden violence—featuring shootouts and riot scenes—jars the audience, undermining the potency of its moral underpinnings. Moreover, the heralded corruption is disappointingly underexplored, conveyed mostly through cursory headline montages rather than substantive plotting. Nevertheless, the film remains a quaint portrayal of an era's idealistic view of journalism's role in society, albeit arriving with a degree of dramatic understatement that occasionally diminishes its intended impact.

"Johnny Come Lately" presents itself as a warmly entertaining, though somewhat undemanding, cinematic experience. James Cagney delivers a charming performance, convincingly portraying a character who balances gentleness with moments of robust defiance. Grace George’s legendary stage presence is well-utilized, supported by the quirky performances from Marjorie Main and Margaret Hamilton. The plot, while attractively straightforward, occasionally skims over opportunities for deeper exploration. This lack of complexity may leave some viewers craving more substance, but the film’s heartfelt moral stance against corruption remains strikingly relevant today.

Moreover, the Blu Ray edition's technical presentation holds some minor yet noticeable flaws in both video and audio quality. The picture quality is good but stops short of exceptional, maintaining an overall clean and pleasant viewing experience. Meanwhile, the audio impresses with its clarity, though it too could benefit from a more refined soundstage. These aspects, while not detracting significantly from the film’s appeal, might be worth noting for those seeking a pristine presentation.

In conclusion, "Johnny Come Lately" holds its charm through the solid performances and engaging story, even if it occasionally misses out on deeper narrative possibilities. The Blu Ray release, despite a few technical imperfections, offers a sufficiently enjoyable cinematic revisit. Recommended for those who appreciate classic films with enduring themes and charismatic performances.