"Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." No doubt we all remember hearing that classic line from the iconic TV show Dragnet. Well, while the TV series was ongoing, producer/director/star Jack Webb made a deal with Warner Brothers to direct several feature films--the first was to be a feature film of the series Dragnet.
Film fans love Kino Lorber Studio Classics for the fact that they give films that mainstream movie goers wouldn't give the time of day, a chance to shine on Blu-ray. Now the 1954 Dragnet feature film is available on Blu-ray for the first time ever.
The film follows Los Angeles police detective Sergeant Joe Friday as he hunts down the killer of a mobster, Miller Starkie. He focuses his attention on West Coast mafia second-in-command Max Troy. The tension between Friday and Troy builds leading to a brawl at a private card game between Friday, Frank Smith, and several of Troy's henchmen. Meanwhile a policewoman infiltrates Troy's nightclub and is able to obtain vital information on the Starkie killing.
This film is a great piece of cinema. It hits all the right notes. Joe Friday and Franks Smith are amazing together, just like they are in the series. Than there is the amazing supporting cast featuring Richard Boone, Ann Robinson and Dennis Weaver.
They things you love about the series, you are going to find in this film, but some added action makes for an amazing little police drama. The film was produced for only $500,000 but ended up making an estimated $4.7 million at the North American box office during its first year of release unbelievable.
Now for this Blu-ray release. Kino Lorber has remastered this classic in 2K and added both the widescreen (1.75:1) and full screen (1.37:1) versions of this film with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix. They both look and sound really amazing. But I perfered the wide screen version, myself.
As for special features, there is an a really great audio commentary by film historian Toby Roan giving the listener a lot of insight on this production. We also get the Dragnet theatrical trailer and a trailer for The Sleeping City. There is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
I am always impressed with Kino Lorber releases but this one is I am proud to give a place of on the dragnet section of our collection. It really does compete it!
So if you are looking for "Just the facts" you need this Kino Lorber Dragnet Blu-ray in your collection. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today. Fans of the show are going to love it!
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Kino Lorber Studio Classic Dragnet Blu-ray receives....
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