LAURA [1944 / 2019] [The Masters of Cinema Series] [Blu-ray + DVD] [UK Release]
Otto Preminger’s “film noir” Masterpiece!
The only question about ‘LAURA’ is whether it's simply one of the greatest “film noir” releases ever made, or if it's indeed the quintessential film noir. Decide for yourself. This 1944 murder mystery classic from director Otto Preminger (replacing a fired Rouben Mamoulian) has only grown in stature over the years, with its hypnotic mixture of doomed romantic obsession, dizzying intrigue, and fatalistic cynicism marking it as essential “film noir” status.
Police detective Mark McPherson [Dana Andrews] is drawn into Manhattan high society as he investigates the death of stunning ad exec Laura Hunt [Gene Tierney], apparently shot gunned in her own apartment. The slithery suspects are numerous, led by effete, snobbish columnist Waldo Lydecker [Clifton Webb], and Laura's philandering fiancé Shelby Carpenter [Vincent Price], who's also been cavorting with Laura's wealthy aunt [Judith Anderson]. Mark McPherson begins to fall in love with Laura through a portrait in her home and the memories relayed by those who knew her...just as it becomes apparent that even the basic facts of the case might not be what they seemed.
Peppered with eternally quotable dialogue, "I should be sincerely sorry to see my neighbours' children devoured by wolves," and sumptuous, Oscar-winning cinematography by Joseph LaShelle, and ‘LAURA’ stands with ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘Double Indemnity’ as one of the classic “film noir” titles, and an undeniable American masterpiece.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1945 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Black-and-White Cinematography for Joseph LaShelle. Nominated: Best Supporting Actor for Clifton Webb. Nominated: Best Director for Otto Preminger. Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay for Elizabeth Reinhardt, Jay Dratler and Samuel Hoffenstein. Nominated: Best Black-and-White Art Direction and Interior Decoration for Lyle R. Wheeler, Leland Fuller and Thomas Little.
FILM FACT No.2: Once principal photography was completed, Otto Preminger hired David Raksin to do the score for the film. The director wanted to use “Sophisticated Lady” by Duke Ellington for the main theme, but David Raksin objected to the choice. Alfred Newman, music director for 20th Century Fox, convinced Otto Preminger to give David Raksin a weekend to compose an original tune. Otto Preminger was so pleased with David Raksin's score the two collaborated on four additional films.
Cast: Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson, Dorothy Adams (uncredited), Terry Adams (uncredited), Wally Albright (uncredited), Bobby Barber (uncredited), Gary Breckner (uncredited), Harry Carter (uncredited), Lane Chandler (uncredited), Bill Chaney (uncredited), Dorothy Christy (uncredited), James Conaty (uncredited), Kay Connors (uncredited), John Dexter (uncredited), Ralph Dunn (uncredited), Nestor Eristoff (uncredited), Jean Fenwick (uncredited), Clyde Fillmore (uncredited), James Flavin (uncredited), Bess Flowers (uncredited), Lee Tung Foo (uncredited), William Forrest (uncredited), Frances Gladwin (uncredited), William Graeff Jr. (uncredited), Beatrice Gray (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), Kathleen Howard (uncredited), Yolanda Lacca (uncredited), Frank LaRue (uncredited), Kay Linaker (uncredited), Gloria Marlen (uncredited) Thomas Martin (uncredited), Dominick Martino (uncredited), Buster Miles (uncredited), Harold Miller (uncredited), Forbes Murray (uncredited), Jane Nigh (uncredited), Aileen Pringle (uncredited), Cyril Ring (uncredited), Alexander Sascha (uncredited), Harold Schlickenmayer (uncredited), Larry Steers (uncredited), Harry Strang (uncredited), Ben Watson (uncredited), Cara Williams (uncredited) and Eric Wilton (uncredited)
Director: Otto Preminger
Producer: Otto Preminger
Screenplay: Vera Caspary (novel), Elizabeth Reinhardt (screenplay), Jay Dratler (screenplay), Samuel Hoffenstein (screenplay) and Ring Lardner Jr. (uncredited)
Composer: David Raksin
Cinematography: Joseph LaShelle, A.S.C. (Directors of Photography) and Lucien Ballard, A.S.C. (Directors of Photography) (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black-and-White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 88 minutes and 87 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 2
Studio: 20th Century Fox / Masters of Cinema
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: Otto Preminger's whodunit ‘LAURA’ film classic that still grips us even today and analyses love, police-work and love, and especially with its superb halfway-point coup de cinéma and is definitely one of the greatest “film noir” mysteries ever made, and Otto Preminger’s ‘LAURA’ is even more celebrated today than it was when it first premiered, and especially offering a brilliant sound debut in this film for one of its principal cast members, while firmly establishing its director as a tour de force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. ‘LAURA’ has allure, romance and secrets to spare and is one of those films where repeat visits are rewarded with ever deeper forays into the nature of obsession and deception.
Set in New York, ‘LAURA,’ from the outside, seems prepped as a traditional locked-room mystery. Aside from the investigator, everyone carries himself or herself fabulously, a conceit that Otto Preminger peels away by the film’s finish. Columnist Waldo Lydecker [Clifton Webb] presents a privileged air that could spell trouble for others, or even for Columnist Waldo Lydecker. Otto Preminger fought to cast the diminutive actor in the role, for reasons that soon become obvious. Meanwhile, Vincent Price’s priggish; excessively cultured Shelby Carpenter seems to shield an underlying philistinism and perversion. But Otto Preminger deals in facades, with how perception cheats us, right down to the ideal image of Laura as a portrait. The ageing aristocrat/journalist shamelessly types his newspaper column from his bathtub as he answers Detective Lt. Mark McPherson's questions about his murdered protégé and close companion Laura Hunt [Gene Tierney].
Detective Lt. Mark McPherson [Dana Andrews] is told that before Laura Hunt was brutally shot she used to be a famous advertising executive who was adored by everybody she met. Every person he speaks to during the course of the investigation is emphatic about her beauty, intelligence, success, and charm. Yet each suspect remains reluctant to speak entirely candidly to Detective Lt. Mark McPherson. Laura's maid Bessie Clary [Dorothy Adams] describes her mistress as sweet-natured and hard-working but clearly resents this breach of Laura Hunt's privacy. Laura Hunt's fiancé and colleague, the suave and handsome young Shelby Carpenter [Vincent Price], is courteous to the point of insincerity, and the initial concern demonstrated by Laura Hunt's wealthy aunt Ann Treadwell [Judith Anderson] is soon questioned when Detective Lt. Mark McPherson digs deeper.
As the smooth-voiced, sharp suited Detective Lt. Mark McPherson examines Laura Hunt's violent and mysterious demise he is lead into a glamorous but dangerous world of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal, where secrets are revealed and nothing is as it appears. Detective Lt. Mark McPherson gradually becomes consumed by a damaging, all-consuming infatuation for the murdered woman; he falls in love with an idea of her that is represented by a portrait of her likeness hanging above the fireplace.
Based on Vera Caspary's novel “Laura,” Otto Preminger's sparkling, suspenseful adaptation has more than stood the test of time. The film is well served by a sharp script and fine performances by the main cast. Gene Tierney in particular shines in the glimpses we see of Laura Hunt, and it is a sensitive and intelligent interpretation that helps prevent the character from becoming just a one-dimensional object of desire. Another highlight is the battle of wits between the flamboyant, egotistical Waldo Lydecker and the moody, introspective Detective Lt. Mark McPherson. Their conflict manifests as a clash of verbal styles, Waldo Lydecker's elaborate quips and scathing commentary contrasting humorously with Detective Lt. Mark McPherson's bluntness and wry put-downs.
Otto Preminger's 1944 ‘LAURA’ marks an important transition in film history. Visually it harks back to Hollywood's Golden Era, flooding with light elaborate sets and the glamorous stars they hold, but at crucial moments a “film noir” vision bubbles up to artfully blemish this smooth façade. It is a classic love story, except that it hinges on forbidden fantasy and murder, and it may be eternally debated whether its double vision signals an end or a beginning.
Lovers of 1940s Hollywood and of course “film noir” movie-lovers in general, should savour every last drop of this 2019 release, directed by Otto Preminger, made in 1944 and coming complete with an ad for US war bonds in the closing credits. Dana Andrews is the rugged Detective Lt. Mark McPherson; on account of heroic gunshot wounds in the leg, the press have dubbed him “Detective with the silver shinbone.” Something, perhaps, to set aside Otto Preminger's 1955 film ‘The Man With the Golden Arm.’ Detective Lt. Mark McPherson is investigating the gruesome murder of Laura Hunt, played by the exquisitely beautiful Gene Tierney. In flashbacks, we see how she was swept up into fashionable cafe society by her infatuated but platonic bachelor admirer, the waspish newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker [Clifton Webb] the equal, surely, of George Sanders's elegant Addison DeWitt in ‘All About Eve.’ Which of Laura Hunt's wide circle of acquaintance holds the key to the mystery? And how will Detective Lt. Mark McPherson's growing obsession with Laura's memory affect his handling of the case? ‘LAURA’ is still every bit as gripping to modern audiences today, as it was when it was released in the cinema in 1944.
LAURA MUSIC TRACK LIST
YOU GO TO MY HEAD (uncredited) (Music by J. Fred Coots) (1938) [Used instrumentally in dance scene]
LAURA (Words by Johnny Mercer) (Music by David Raksin)
Blu-ray Image Quality – 20th Century Fox and Masters of Cinema presents you with this absolutely stunning film ‘LAURA’ with its 1.37:1 original aspect ratio that is faithfully rendered in this awesome black-and-white 1080p image, that is really at its best, and the image is so wonderfully sharp with a snappy greyscale which offers clean whites, rich blacks, and superb contrast, especially with the help of Cinematographer Joseph LaShelle won an Oscar® for his work on film and salutes his achievement and a massive improvement over the inferior DVD release. Here we see with this Blu-ray release, is a massive step up from the 2005 inferior DVD, and with this fine effort, maintains the film's unobtrusive grain structure, presenting an image of totally exceptional clarity and beautiful lovely texture which gives it a stark contrast of the “film noir” style, and the grey scale variance is still very pleasing and the shadow effects are superb. Joseph LaShelle reportedly took hours to light each scene and with his painstaking efforts paid big dividends. Whether manipulating natural or artificial light, Joseph LaShelle created beautiful stunning shots that maximize contrast and depth. Blacks are solid and rich, whites are vivid but never overexposed, and the greys in between display enough variation to lend the film to a polished sheen. In short, 'LAURA' has never looked more lush and beautiful. With the previous release, here with this Blu-ray there is no grit or marks of any kind to mar the pristine source material you view, and subtle details pop out like never before. The knickknacks and grandfather clock in Columnist Waldo Lydecker's apartment are stunningly sharp, and close-ups really show off the Golden Age glamour. Noise is never an issue, even during nocturnal scenes, and no digital anomalies seamlessly are anywhere to be seen. This is a truly superior effort from 20th Century Fox and Masters of Cinema, and exactly what this classic romantic mystery “film noir” deserves and you will be astonished by what you view. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – 20th Century Fox and Masters of Cinema brings you this brilliant “film noir” ‘LAURA’ film with a choice of three audio experiences, that includes English: 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish: 1.0 Dolby Digital Audio and French: 1.0 Dolby Digital Audio. The soundtrack is clear, clean sound that's been noticeably cleaned up since the 2005 inferior DVD release. Gone is the faint hiss that plagued the DVD, and the errant pops have been erased as well. The audio track beautifully showcases David Raksin's iconic hypnotic music film score, thanks to the wide dynamic scale that handles the swelling strings really well, while the marvellous fidelity features a sound mix that’s likely to be the best the “film noir” has ever sounded on this Blu-ray disc, and the fidelity is generally strong and never allows to overpower the scintillating dialogue spoken by the actors. Subtle accents, such as footsteps, the turning of doorknobs, and the closing of a purse clasp, are crisp and pronounced. Atmospherics are generally well integrated into the sound mix, but as Laura Hunt [Gene Tierney] and Detective Lt. Mark McPherson [Dana Andrews] talk quietly in her apartment as the driving rain falls outside, and achieves the desired audio effect. The cleanliness and purity of the audio track outshines any previous releases. All in all, 'LAURA' sounds totally awesome on this 20th Century Fox and Masters of Cinema Blu-ray release, making it hard for us to believe it was released in 1944, and that is well over seven decades ago.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: EXTENDED VERSION: When you click on to watch the film ‘LAURA,’ you have two options of viewing the film ‘LAURA.’ One with the EXTENDED VERSION or the ORIGINAL THEATRICAL VERSON. With the Original Theatrical Version, there was a single scene removed after it was felt that its depiction of decadent luxury could offend wartime audiences. But with EXTENDED VERSION of the film, you get a notice appear informing that you have selected the EXTENDED VERSION of the film ‘LAURA’ which contains a montage dealing with remaking Laura Hunt [Gene Tierney] into a society woman. According to Film Historian Rudy Behlmer, the scene was cut because of the war atmosphere in America and the sequence was judged as too off-putting in its decadence.
Audio Commentary with Composer David Raksin and Professor Jeanine Basinger [Wesleyan University] [Theatrical Version only]: With this wonderful audio commentary from David Raksin and Jeanine Basinger and they were recorded separately, but are seamlessly edited really well together, but now and again you get gaps of silence. Also make sure you view the film ‘LAURA’ before you listen to this audio commentary, as many clues are given away with the final outcome of the film. But first of all, here we are introduced to Jeanine Basinger who is a film historian, and was for many years the Corwin-Fuller Professor of Film Studies and Founder and Curator of The Cinema Archives at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, which is a leading private liberal arts college in Middletown, Connecticut, founded in 1831. Jeanine Basinger gives great praise for this famous “film noir” black-and-white film that was released in 1944 and gives out general information what you see while the film has started and also informs us that you are experiencing two things that made the film ‘LAURA’ famous. Jeanine Basinger talks about the famous and beautiful painting of Laura Hunt [Gene Tierney] and the luscious perfectly beautiful haunting music score written by David Raksin. Now in comes David Raksin and informs us that he is desperately trying to remember specific things about the film ‘LAURA,’ which unfortunately he has serious doubts about, as his memory is not what it used to be like when he was involved with the film. Jeanine Basinger comments on the famous opening words spoken by the character Columnist Waldo Lydecker [Clifton Webb], which starts as “I shall never forget the weekend Laura died . . .” and we are also informed that Clifton Webb was making his film debut in a sound film and also makes comments about the famous clock that will be relevant towards the main plot at the end of the film. David Raksin talks about Dana Andrews with his first appearance in the film and mentions that Dana Andrews is one of his favourite leading male actor. We are informed that Clifton Webb was originally a truly brilliant famous Broadway singer/dancer, which is suspected that a majority of people knew about this information, and the fact that no one has ever witnessed seeing this actor perform his singing/dancing prowess in any other film. Jeanine Basinger feels that the actor Dana Andrews is the most underrated leading male actor of the 1940s and 1950s and feels that people should look Dana Andrews’s eyes in this film that has haunting and enigmatic quality, as well as intense and offhand attitude in the film and gives the persona of something of a very mysterious quality. When we first see the actress Judith Anderson, we are reminded that this actress played the main lead in the famous Alfred Hitchcock film ‘REBECCA’ as the very frightening character of Mrs. Danvers and was awarded the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1960 Queen's New Year's Honours List for her services to the performing arts. David Raksin mentions a lot about his composed theme music and mentions that throughout the whole of the film only actually lasts for 35 minutes in total and decided to do this deliberately. Judith Anderson also informs us of a very interesting and unknown fact about the Laura Hunt portrait, which is in fact a photograph done over with oil paint and now resides in the Gene Tierney Archives at the Cinema in the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. We are also informed some other facts about the oil painting that was commissioned, but when Otto Preminger viewed it was not at all happy with its result, and did not feel it reflected the mysterious quality of the film, but instead sent Gene Tierney to the famous 20th Century Fox in-house photographer. We also find out that when we see Laura Hunt at the party, Otto Preminger wanted to use the song “Summertime” from the film ‘Porgy & Bess,’ especially for the theme music, but then decided he wanted to use “Sophisticated lady” by Duke Ellington, but thankfully was all turned down and thankfully David Raksin was called in to produce the now famous theme music for the film ‘LAURA’ and David Raksin informs us that the composed film score and has been developed into more than 400 known recordings. Some of the best-known versions are by Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Johnston, Emil Newman, and David Rose. Then eventually lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer after the film had made the tune popular and eventually the song became a jazz standard that has been performed by Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, J. J. Johnson, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra and Julie London (included on her 1955 debut CD album Julie Is Her Name, Vol.1). The first 10 notes of the song are sometimes quoted during jazz solos, especially since Dizzy Gillespie did it during his Perdido solo at the famous Massey Hall concert in 1953. According to Johnny Mercer, he had not yet seen the film when he wrote the lyrics, but was aware that it was a romantic, somewhat haunting story. We are also informed that originally the film music score was offered to Alfred Newman, but turned it down, then Composer Bernard Herrmann was approached, who also turned the job down and as they say the rest is now history. As we come to the end of this particular audio commentary, Jeanine Basinger says, “and goodbye my audience, thank you very much for watching the dfilm with me, thank you.” Strangely, David Raksin never bids us farewell to us the audience.
Audio Commentary By Rudy Behlmer [Film Historian] [Theatrical Version only]: With this audio commentary from Film Historian Rudy Behlmer, again make sure you view the film ‘LAURA’ first, before you listen to this audio commentary, as many clues are given away with the final outcome of the film. Here we are introduced to Rudy Behlmer, where he informs us that accompanying the recognised 20th Century Fox logo, is the equally recognisable orchestral fanfare that was composed by Alfred Newman in 1933 for 20th Century Pictures, Inc., and two years before the merger with 20th Century Fox, and then we are informed that the Fox Orchestra is playing the “Laura” theme music that was composed by David Ranksin. Rudy Behlmer also informs us that for the next hour and a half and well just slightly short of that time, and here Rudy Behlmer delves into the evolution and mythology of the stylish film ‘LAURA,’ from its inception, through to the play, the novel, the film and beyond, and most of the information you hear is based on various drafts of the script story conference notes, correspondence, autobiographical books and several interviews that Rudy Behlmer was fortunate to be involved with way back in the late 1970s, especially with people who were very much involved with the film ‘LAURA,’ both in front of and behind the camera and also in addition to the author and novelist Vera Caspary who was heavenly involved with the direction the film should proceed. But at this point Rudy Behlmer was us viewers that before he can proceed with this audio commentary, warns people who have not viewed the film ‘LAURA,’ to do so, because Rudy gives out lots of clues to the final ending of the film, which he feels it will spoil peoples enjoyment of the film, especially in finding out who the murdered was, because the film ‘LAURA’ is partly a tour de force mystery ensemble genre film and should stay that way for people listening to this audio commentary. In 1939 novelist, playwright and screenwriter Vera Caspary had been struggling with an idea about a story of a detective who falls in love with a presumably dead idealised woman, whose life he is investigating, but Vera Caspary didn’t know how to solve the mystery, until Vera read an article in a newspaper about a young woman whose face was destroyed by an explosion, and now the mystery has been solved and Vera Caspary was able to finish her novel, and the rest of the story is what you see in the film. With the character Waldo Lydecker, who was based on a real person in the name of Alexander Woollcott who was an American critic and commentator for The New Yorker magazine and a member of the Algonquin Round Table, who occasionally di some acting who also achieved a strong influence of a literature taste at the beginning of the 1920s, thanks to his strong willed iconoclastic and witty observations, that were revealed when Vera Caspary read some of Alexander Woollcott’s novels. Unfortunately most of the Hollywood Studios turned down Vera Caspary’s screenplay, but her Agent gave her screenplay to a Broadway producer and Director who really liked her synopsis and wanted to not only produce the play, but to collaborate with Vera Caspary, who felt very flattered by this mysterious person, who had a lot of Broadway influence and style, which surprisingly turned out to be none other than Otto Preminger himself, now that is what I call fate. When unfortunately a Broadway try out was turned down, Vera Caspary wanted it to be turned into a film and two film studios were interested, one was M-G-M and the other one was 20th Century Fox, and because Otto Preminger was under contract to 20th Century Fox, felt that ‘LAURA’ would be a good vehicle for a murder mystery genre film and in 1943 20th Century Fox brought the rights for the film for $30,000, but Vera Caspri was allowed to retain the dramatic play rights. After several drafts of the screenplay Darryl F. Zanuck gave the go ahead to allow the film to be shot, but because of a falling out with Otto Preminger was still bared from directing the film ‘LAURA,’ so they asked Lewis Milestone, but decided to turn the job down, then the director John Brum was asked, but he also turned the job down, also Walter Lang was also offered the job, who was really only known for directing Musicals, who also turned the offer to direct down, after a fruitful round of contacting other directors, but all were not interested in the job, so reluctantly Darryl F. Zanuck gave the job the Otto Preminger out of desperation. Loads of female actresses were asked to appear in the film, but we learn Jennifer Jones was originally slated for the title role, but eventually Gene Tierney was chosen, but was not happy to be the second choice. Otto Preminger happen to go and see Clifton Webb in the play “Blithe Spirit” and was very impressed by his performance, and offered him the script and of course was keen to be in the film, as Otto Preminger thought he would be perfect as the character of Waldo Lydecker. Through a twist of fate, Dana Andrews was also given the script of ‘LAURA’ and as they say, the stars shone down on Dana Andrews and of course the film made him a box office sensation, and Dana Andrews asked Hedda Hopper to give a write up in her column hinting he had secured the part in the film, that eventually Darryl F. Zanuck approved his role in the film after seeing him in a test screening. When the public viewed the film ‘LAURA’ and heard its beautiful film music score by David Raksin that was among the finest productions to come from the 20th Century Fox studios during that decade people were clamouring to know where they could purchase the sheet music and especially the 78 rpm record, and after the film's 1944 release, the main title theme, which is heard several times during the film, was given a fresh set of Johnny Mercer lyrics and became a major song hit in the spring of 1945. Johnnie Johnston's was one of four recorded versions to reach the national Billboard top-ten singles sales chart and Woody Herman, Dick Haymes and Freddy Martin were the others. And so ends another fascinating audio commentary that is well worth a listen.
Special Feature: LUX RADIO THEATER Audio Broadcast of Laura: Episode 469 [5th February, 1945] Here presented is the Lux Radio Theater broadcast of the radio adaptation of the film ‘LAURA’ and the broadcast was on the 5th February, 1945 and performing was Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Vincent Price,Otto Kruger, Charles Seel, Duane Thompson and was narrated by Lionel Barrymore. [59:30].
Special Feature: LUX RADIO THEATER Audio Broadcast of Laura: Episode 866 [1st February, 1954] This is the second the Lux Radio Theater broadcast of the radio adaptation of the film ‘LAURA’ and the broadcast was on the 1st February, 1954 and performing was Gene Tierney, Victor Mature, Joseph Kearns, Art Linkletter, Eddie Marr and Carleton Young, and was narrated by Irving Cummings. [56:52].
Special Feature: SCREEN GUILD THEATRE Audio Broadcast: Laura [20th August, 1945] The Screen Guild Theater broadcast of the radio adaptation of the film ‘LAURA’ and was originally aired on the 20th August, 1945 and performing was Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb and David Bruce. [30:15].
Special Feature: FORD THEATER Audio Broadcast: Laura [30th May, 1948] The Ford Theater broadcast a further radio adaptation of the film ‘LAURA’ and performing was Virginia Gilmore, John Larkin, Betty Garde, Alan Hewitt, Charles Mendick and Charles Penman, and was narrated by Howard Lindsay. [60:18].
Special Feature: A Tune for Laura: David Raksin Remembers [2004] [1080p] [1.37:1 / 1.78:1] [10:30] Here we have a very interesting archival interview with the renowned composer David Raksin (1912 – 2004) and discusses his long career in the film industry, with some very interesting recollections about his work with Charlie Chaplin on his film ‘Modern Times.’ David Raksin was in his early days mentored by Arnold Schoenberg and also worked five film scores for Otto Preminger, which were ‘Fallen Angel’ [1945], ‘Forever Amber’ [1947], ‘Daisy Kenyon’ [1947], ‘Whirlpool’ [1949] and of course including the one he created of the haunting theme music for the film ‘LAURA’ [1944]. Sadly in August 2004, seven months after their visit in January 2004 to interview David Raksin in his home in Van Nuys, California, which is in a neighbourhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, where he sadly passed away of heart failure at his home at the grand old age of 92 years of age. Despite it being a very short interview, it was still very fascinating to hear the wise words of wisdom of the film composer David Raksin.
Special Feature: The Obsession [2005] [1080i] [1.37:1] [12:36] Here we have some historians and filmmakers, expressing their feelings about the film ‘LAURA’ and the fascinating look into the characters of the film. Though obviously produced for the 2005 inferior DVD, this slick and interesting piece, was never included on the DVD release, so it is a total pleasure to have it included in this special feature at long last. Contributors include: James Ursini [American Author/Film Historian], Alain Silver [Author/Film Historian], Carl Franklin [Writer/Director], Dr. Drew Casper [Professor of University of Southern California] and John Morgan [Composer/Film Music Historian].
Theatrical Trailer [1944] [480i] [1.37:1] [3:00] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘LAURA.’ The film’s trailer presented here is in an absolutely atrocious condition, makes us really appreciate all the more the fine restoration of the film ‘LAURA’ on this Blu-ray disc.
Special Feature: Deleted Scene [1944] [1080p] [1.37:1] [2:36] The deleted scene we get to view, is now included in the Extended Version of the film and is also offered here as a bonus feature. It can be viewed with or without Rudy Behlmer's audio commentary. Apparently, the 20th Century Fox executives believed the public would resent a woman who pursued such frivolity during wartime rationing.
BONUS: A beautiful 32 page collector’s booklet featuring a new essay entitled LAURA by Phil Hoad, which contains spoilers. We also get VIEWING NOTES explaining the aspect ratio of the film. PRODUCTION NOTES. But we also get to view lots of rare black-and-white publicity images, as well as rare black-and-white and colour posters.
Finally, one of the best supreme “film noir” mysteries of the 1940s and the film ‘LAURA’ is a must-see viewing for all film buffs interested in great films of this highest quality. Anyone also who loves a good mystery film should not hesitate to take 'LAURA' home for your viewing pleasure, and is of course the Golden Age of Classic film genre that earns a definite high praise and with this new upgraded Blu-ray edition provides an opportunity to revisit Otto Preminger’s slyly subversive “film noir” masterpiece. ‘LAURA’ is also a must have for all you essential cinephile and murder mystery obsessives searching for a story as timeless as this brilliant film. So all in all, this is a must have Blu-ray disc for your collection. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
