Each Dawn I Die (1939) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

James Cagney was a very versatile actor. He could do it all! Sing, dance, dramatic roles, but most movie fans remember him for his tough guy roles in his early career that really made him a star.

One of those early tough guys roles of his was 1939s "Each Dawn I Die". Warner Archive Collection have been dusting off a lot of these early films and giving them a great Blu-ray release they truly deserve. Now it is time for James Cagney's each dawn I die to shine in HD!

Frank Ross (Cagney) is a journalist who is framed for murder by a corrupt politician running for governor. While his fellow reporters try to prove his innocence from the outside, Ross befriends infamous gangster “Hood” Stacey (George Raft). Stacey promises Ross that he will find evidence to prove his innocence if Ross will help him break out of jail. However, Stacey betrays him, and Ross is punished further. As time marches on, will Ross get justice? 

While the film may start off a tad slow it picks up fast and before long you are on the edge of your seat for this cinematic experience. The film was a big financial success for Warner Brothers and lead to them offering George Raft a long term contact. This is truly James Cagney at his "good guy" best.

It may have been considered one of the best of the year, but 1939 had some of the best films in cinema history this year. When you look back at the ist it is quite impressive. Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Wuthering Heights, Goodby Mr. Chips, Of Mice and Men, Only Angels have Wings, Dark Victory, The Private lives of Elizabeth and Essex and many many more. So you can kind of see why this films gets lost in the 1939 year shuffle.

Each Dawn I Die make it's debut on Blu-ray and what a debut it is! The film is transferred in 1080p sourced from a 4K scan of the best surviving nitrate elements. It keeps it's original full screen format 1.37:1 aspect ratio.The audio track is a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio. This transfer is nothing sort of masterful. When I examined the film for damage I didn't see any visible damage what so ever.

With this release Warner Archive really packed on the bonuses to make this something special. Let's take a look at what is included on this Blu-ray release.


* An Audio Commentary by Film Historian Haden Guest.

* Vintage Newsreel: An update on war efforts of the time.

* A Day at Santa Anita starring Sybil Jason and Marcia Ralston

* Wings of the Navy Trailer

* Stool Pigeons and Pine Overcoats: The language of Gangster films

* The Breakdown of 1939: Studio Blooper Reel

* Bonus Cartoons "Each Dawn I Crow" and "Detouring America"

* Bonus: Radio Show with George Raft and Franchot Tone

* Re-Issue Trailer

From top to bottom the bonuses are a win. from the vintage newsreels and shorts to the classic cartoons and the amazing radio show. This is a spectacular Blu-ray release. I can not recommend this one enough!

So if you are a fan of James Cagney or those old gangster films of the 1930s. I highly suggest this adding this amazing Blu-ray release from Warner Archive to you collection. You won't be disappointed. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of Each Dawn I Die receives...