Reviewed by Jason LockardBilly Wilder wrote many great screenplays at the beginning of his career. He soon realized that if he didn't want his screenplays destroyed he would have to direct them himself. This his directing career began, and many amazing films followed.
Arrow Academy released the Billy Wilder classic The Apartment on Blu-ray you can read our review of the release here. But now it's time for a new Wilder release on Blu-ray, this time Wilder's American debut The Major and The Minor.
Best known for her time with dancing partner Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers stars as Susan Applegate, a woman in New York City who is tired of her job and desires to go back home. So she saved up enough money and goes to buy the train ticket only to find the price has increased. What's a girl to do?
Susan dressed up and a Swedish 11-year-old girl to get the ticket for half price. When the conductor gets suspicious, Susan runs away and hides in the compartment of Major Philip Kirby (Ray Milland). Thinking she is an 11-year-old girl The Major decides to look after of "the Minor". Until they make it to the military academy and Kirby's fiancee is not buying the ruse.
Billy Wilder's comedic timing in "Some like it hot" is on display in The Major and the Minor as well! Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers are perfectly cast in these roles. Of course, there are underlying themes in all of Billy Wilder films, but you can figure what they are for yourself.
The film has been lovingly restored in its original full-screen format 1.37:1 aspect ratio. There are some slight imperfections in the picture, but nothing that is so offensive that should take away from your viewing pleasure. The uncompressed DTS-HD mono audio is as crisp and clean as can be expected from a 1942 film. There are also English subtitles for the hearing impaired. I have to say I was impressed with the film's restoration.
Arrow Academy does it again with this Blu-ray release giving us bonus features including; An audio commentary by Adrian Martin, Half Fare Please!, a newly filmed video appreciation by film critic Neil Sinyard, A 1975 interview with Milland as he talks about his career. The original radio play starring Rogers and Milland, an image gallery, the original trailer and as always Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork. There is also for first pressing only a collectors booklet with an essay by Ronald Bergan.
I am a huge fan of Billy Wilder films and The Major and the Minor is right up there with some of his best films. And Arrow Academy has done a wonderful job, as they do with every one of there release, with The Major and the Minor.
SO if you love Billy Wilder films like me, The Major and The Minor is a must-own! Arrow Academy's release is truly something special. Head over to MVDShop.com or Amazon.com and get your copy today!
Audiences: Teens and Adults
Objectionable Material: Nothing
Movie Length: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Genre: Comedy
Blu-ray Value Rating: A
* This Blu-ray will be released on September 24, 2019.
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