Chain Lightning (1950) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

He was known as Bogie and his films are some of the most iconic ones in cinema history! Humphrey Bogart considered by America Film Institute as the greatest American male film star of classic cinema.

During his career he fought gangsters and was a gangster. He was women's desire and was a tough guys all the men wanted to be like. Starring in so many great films it's hard to believe he only won one Oscar for best actor. That was for his role as Charlie Allnut in The African Queen. 

In 1950 Bogart climbed into the cockpit and took to the skies to fly a high speed aircraft in the film Chain Lightning! Now for the first time on Blu-ray Warner Archive brings film fans a lesser known Bogart cinematic gem entitled Chain Lightning.

The film follows former World War II flying ace Matt Brennan (Humphrey Bogart) as he takes a position as a test pilot for a commercial aircraft corporation. While there is runs into an old flame, Jo Holloway (Eleanor Parker), who just happens to be the corporation's receptionist. Now the two are face to face again which leads to some tension and a little romance.

Director Stuart Heisler did a great job bringing his vision to the screen. Liam O'Brien and Vincent B. Evans wrote a very good screenplay from story "These Many Years" by Lester Cole. Now Chain Lightning is not Bogart's best film, not by a long shot. But it is a very entertaining action adventure film. And Bogart is joined by a strong supporting cast including Eleanor Parker, Raymond Massey, Richard Whorf, and James Brown.

Warner Archive has transferred Chain Lightning in 1080p in what looks to be a 4K scan of the original camera negative. The soundtrack is a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track. While watching this film I examined the picture quality and I must say this print looks remarkable. There is no signs of damage to this print. As for the audio quality in older films there are distinctive wear on the print. Chain Lightning sounds as clear as a bell! This transfer is perfect.

Warner Archive did a great job on this transfer. Warner Archive added some great bonus features to this release. Take a look at what is included along side this great Blu-ray transfer.

* Bear Feat: A hilarious classic cartoon that follows three bears that try to work on an act to get into the circus.

* So You Want To Be An Actor: This is an eleven-minute comedy short featuring Joe McDoakes who struggles to make it as an actor.

* Chain Lightning Trailer

I love it when Warner Archive adds cartoons and comedy shorts to their Blu-ray releases. It amps up the entertainment quality to these Blu-ray. I remember fondly watching cartoons and Joe McDoakes shorts with my parents as a kid on TCM and watching them again brings back such great memories. So these bonus features are right up my alley.

As a fan of Bogart I really enjoyed seeing him in this film and the quality is so stunning I can not recommend this release enough to anyone who wants to see this film. If you would like a copy of this film head over to Amazon.com and order your copy today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of Chained Lightning receives...