Search - Doll Face on DVD

GOOD MOVIE, HORRIBLE DVD

Waitsel Smith | Atlanta, GA USA | 03/19/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was watching this movie for Dennis O'Keefe, but the DVD is so horrible, I can't enjoy it. This is a Critics Choice Video release of a film that is in public domain. The only other release that's available is by Alpha Video, and is just as bad. Evidently both were made from the same poor quality master. The sound is obnoxiously loud, and the picture is contrasty and uncomfortable to watch, even though the package says "Digitally Restored." Nevertheless, all the actors are good, and I love Como's songs. O'Keefe is good, but this is not one of his better roles.

If anyone else is interested in the films of Dennis O'Keefe, this is the first one out of about ten I've ordered recently that had poor quality. It's also the only one in which I've been disappointed for any reason. I'm hoping O'Keefe will be rediscovered at some point, and more of his films released, because they are wonderful. His range is broad. He does excellent dramatic work in Film Noir classics like T-Men and Raw Deal - both by Anthony Mann - and in Fighting Seabees with John Wayne; comedies like Up In Mabel's Room and Getting Gertie's Garter; detective pictures like Dishonored Lady and Cover Up; and family films like The Great Dan Patch.

I think if a company releases a DVD on which the movie is substandard, they should state as much in their write-up, instead of waiting for people to get the film and then be disappointed. They aren't helping themselves by releasing substandard product. I wondered why Critic's Choice Video, a company with an extensive catalog, had a 92% satisfaction rating. Now I know.

Waitsel Smith"