Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1949) {Warner Archive Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Warner Archive have been releasing Blu-rays to this generation restored classic musicals that are more or less a forgotten art form. Films such as Annie get your gun, Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game, It Happened at the World's Fair and The Tender Trap.

In 1949 MGM and Busby Berkeley joined forces and put Hollywood Legends Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Esther Williams right in the middle of America's pastime. All for the purpose to bring us the musical frolic, Take me out to the ballgame. This is the latest musical to get the Blu-ray treatment from the great folks at Warner Archive.

Dennis Ryan (Frank Sinatra) and Eddie O'Brien (Gene Kelly) are star players on the Wolves baseball team, but their true passion is performing on the vaudeville stage. Joe Lorgan (Edward Arnold), a local gambler puts a boatload of money on the Wolves loosing a big game. In order to ensure the win Joe offers Eddie the lead role in a newly produced show. Will he accept the role and risk the team's win? You'll have to watch the film to find out.

Busby Berkeley was a master at musicals and this one was no different. Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly are such a great duo together. I am surprised that MGM didn't make more movies with them. They only did three, Anchors Aweigh, Take me out to the ballgame and On The town. In this release Sinatra and Kelly are joined by Esther Williams and Betty Garrett.

The music is perfect for this production, including the title song "Take me out to the ballgame", "Yes, Indeedy", "O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg," "The Right Girl for me", "It's fate baby, It's fate", "Strickly U.S.A.", "Irish Jigs" and "The Hate my dear Old father wore upon St. Patrck's Day". Every song flows perfectly and is preformed perfectly as well!

Now for this Warner Archive Blu-ray release. The film has been transferred in 1080p in it's original full screen format 1:33.1 aspect ratio and in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The picture quality is literally the best I think I have seen Warner Archive do, and that is saying something as there have been some stellar Blu-ray releases. The picture is crisp and clear and the colors are vibrant. There is no signs of damage to this print.



Warner Archive didn't go bare bones with this release, no way. They added some cool bonus features. We get the Theatrical trailer, deleted musical numbers: "Baby Doll" and "Boys and Girls like you and me" and the MGM Tom and Jerry classic cartoon "The Cat and the Mermouse".

I really enjoyed this release from the ultra fun musical feature, to the deleted songs and the classic Tom and Jerry cartoon. Warner Archive went above and beyond with this Blu-ray release. Take me out to the ballgame is a musical home run.

If you would like to add Take me Out to the Ballgame to your musical collection. I highly recommend this Warner Archive Blu-ray. Pick up your copy by heading over to Amazon.com and order your copy today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Warner Archive's Blu-ray of Take Me Out To Ball Game receives...