Repeat Performance (1947) {Flicker Alley Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

Sadly many films in cinema history have been lost, maybe never to be found! One such film that was thought to be lost was the very unique 'Repeat Performance'. 

Amazingly there was a pretty nice print of this film found and the film was restored in HD. Now the great folks at Flicker Alley has given this 1947 noir a release is so richly deserves.

The film opens on New Year's Eve 1946. Sheila Page (Joan Leslie) is standing over her dead husband Barney (Louis Hayward) with a gun in her hand. Thoroughly regretting the choices that brought her to this point, she wishes that she could relive 1946 and avoid the mistakes that she made throughout the year. So her wish comes true, but she soon realizes that fate may be a little more difficult circumvent!

This film truly is a unique one. Long before there was The Twilight Zone there was this time bending film Repeat Performance. The cast is amazing! This is most likely Joan Leslie greatest role as she gets to show so much emotion in this role. It is also cool to note that this was Richard Basehart's film film.

Now director Alfred L. Werker does a masterful job bringing this noir to life. He is known for directing B-movies. But probably one of his films holds a very special place in my heart and that is one of my favorite comedy teams Laurel & Hardy in 1942's  A-Haunting We Will Go.

This film noir was so far ahead of it's time it is hard to believe. Thankfully we have Blu-rays now so film fans in this generation can witness these classics in HD. And yes I consider Repeat Performance a classic. It is interesting to note that some forty years later Connie Selleca would star in a made-for-tv movie remake. While a good film it could not compare to Repeat Performance.

For this Blu-ray the film is presented in 1080p in it's original full screen format and the audio is LPCM Mono audio. The film has been lovingly restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Packard Humanities Institute. When looking at this restored version of this film it is remarkably gorgeous. It is hard to believe that it looks this stunning when you think it was thought to be lost. There is literally now signs of damage to this print whatsoever. It looks like it was shot yesterday! This restoration is just plain stunning!

Now Flicker Alley is known for adding cool bonuses to there Blu-ray releases and this on is no different. Take a look at the bonuses found in this release.

* A Video Introduction by author, film historian, and “noirchaeologist” Eddie Muller

* A video profile of Joan Leslie by author and film historian Farran Smith Nehme

* Mini-doc on Eagle-Lion Pictures, by film historian Alan K. Rode & author Steven C. Smith

* Audio Commentary by film historian Nora Fiore (“The Nitrate Diva”)

* Digital press book: A complete digital edition of the film’s original 1947 pressbook

* Booklet insert: Featuring author Brian Light’s book-to-film comparison, original photos, lobby cards, and posters

So now it's not "If I Could Turn Back Time!" Thanks to Flicker Alley we can turn back time any time and watch this amazing lost film noir classic on stunning Blu-ray.

So if you love film noir as much as I do Repeat Performance is a masterpiece of noir and this gorgeous restored Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack is the perfect way to relive this story over and over again. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today. 

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the Best) Flicker Alley's Blu-ray of Repeat Performance receives...