Come September (1961) {KL Studio Classics Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Roy Harold Scherer Jr. is better known to the world by his screen name Rock Hudson. He had quite the career with a broad range of films over his career. From action to sci-fi from western to adventure and drama to comedy. He really did it all.

The good folks at Kino Lorber have been releasing some great Rock Hudson films on Blu-ray including Battle Hymn, Showdown, Horizons West and the stellar Rock Hudson Collection. Now it is time for a Rock Hudson romantic comedy to get it's time to shine on Blu-ray. So they chose the lesser known 1961's Come September.

American businessman Robert Talbot (Rock Hudson) every September takes a vacation to his lush Italian villa. There he spends a month with his girlfriend Lisa Helena Fellini (Gina Lollobrigida). But this year is going to be quite different, for when he arrives early he find that  his overseer has turned the villa into a hotel for teenagers. Talbot is ready to kick  everyone out on their ears, but soon finds himself as a sort of chaperon, all while trying to save his on-the-rocks relationship with Lisa.

While Come September may not be Rock Hudson's great romcom. It is a very entertaining little film. Rock Hudson captures your attention in everything he does. Gina Lollobridgida is perfectly cast as the Italian bombshell. Sandra Dee stands out among all the young girls. And while Bobby Darin may not seem as comfortable in his first real role in a film. He does a good job.

Now Rock Hudson is known for his romantic comedies with the great Doris Day My favorite being "Send me no flowers". But that is not to take away from this film. He and Gina have great chemistry too. I wish they would have done more films together. Sadly they only did one 1965's Strange Bedfellows. Also on an interesting side note this is the film the Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee met and fell in love on and would eventually get married. It all started here.

Come September makes its Blu-Ray debut all thanks to Kino Lorber under the KL Studio Classics label. The film has been transferred in 1080p in widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track, there is also English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

While watching this film I must say the picture looks pretty impressive. There is just the the slightest hint of scratches in the print. But these are so minor most film fans will not even notice it. As for the audio is it a beautiful track clear and clean.

Now Kino Lorber Studio Classics always gives us a little extra on their classic releases, and Come September is no different. Take a look at the bonus features added in this Rock Hudson romcom Blu-ray.

* Audio Commentary: Film Historian David Del Valle and Filmmaker David DeCoteau discuss the history of the film, including facts on way Marilyn Monroe was not in this film. I must say this is a very entertaining and insightful audio commentary.

* Trailers: Quite a few trailers are played one after another. They start off with the trailer for this film Come September. Than it continues with A Farewell To Arms, The Tarnished Angels, The Last Sunset, Trapeze, Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell, Portrait In Black, Captain Newman M.D. and The Great Imposter.

Come September is a very fun little romantic comedy and while maybe not as great as the Doris Day films. It so deserves a spot alongside the Hudson / Day set in the Classic Cinema Plus library. That is exactly where it is going!

If you are as much of a fan as Rock Hudson comedies as I am you are going to want to add Come September to your Blu-ray collection. Classic Cinema Plus highly recommends this one. You can order your copy today at Amazon.com.


First Look Video of Come September Blu-ray!

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) KL Studio Classic's Blu-ray of Come September receives...