The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951) {Flicker Fusion Blu-ray Review}

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

This is an exciting time for classic films fans, as technology has made leap and bounds in the ability to restore classic films that have been ravaged by time.

These newly restored films are receiving deluxe Blu-ray releases. And on of the companies in the forefront of the physical media surge is Flicker Alley. With every release I review I am more and more impressed with the amazing love they put into the Blu-rays.

Now Flicker Alley under their new division Flicker Fusion are releasing a star studded 1950s film that was way ahead of it's time. I am talking about the mostly forgotten 1951 film The Whistle at Eaton Falls. 

The film follows the newly appointed manager of Doubleday Plastics, Brad Adams (Lloyd Bridges), and the labor union that represents their factory workers. Brad, a former factory worker and union president, is tasked with the unfortunate responsibility of laying off employees and friends to ease the company’s financial struggles. Despite his relentless commitment to protect the workers, Brad must find a way to keep the company on its feet and thereby ensure the stability of the local economy.

The story is so extremely well written. And Robert Siodmack does a masterful job in the direction. Than there is the acting Lloyd Bridges is stellar in the lead role of this drama. But the supporting cast is amazing as well. We are talking familiar faces galore. We are talking, Dorothy Gish (The Cardinal), Ernest Borgnine (Marty), Anne Francis (Forbidden Planet), Murray Hamilton (The Amityville Horror) Arthur O'Connell (Anatomy of a Murder).

This film has been lovingly restored in 2K. The film has been transferred in 1080p and it presented in it's original full screen format and the audio is a LPCM mono. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

When you look at this restoration it is nothing short of miraculous. The original print has so much dirt, cloudiness, scratches and shakiness in the picture, it is almost unwatchable! But this new restoration clears all that up. It is so clear that it could pass for a film shot in 2022. That is how good this looks.

But Flicker Alley never goes just bare bones Blu-ray. They added some really cool special features to this Blu-ray release. Take a look at what is included.

* Audio Commentary Track – by author and film historian Alan K. Rode

* “Louis de Rochemont Remembered” – a personal reminiscence from grandson Pierre de Rochemon

* Insights into the Restoration – a demonstration of the digital restoration and reconstruction process

* Isolated Soundtrack – the original 1951 orchestral score used for the film, sourced from rare archival recordings with images from the Louis de Rochemont Special Collections at Keene State College

* Carleton Carpenter Sings – archival audio recordings of "Ev'ry Other Day" and “It’s a Million to One You’re in Love”

* Original Theatrical Trailer

* Booklet Essay – an excerpt from Richard Koszarski’s "Keep 'em in the East" Kazan, Kubrick and the Post-War New York Film Renaissance, that covers Louis de Rochemont’s career during the time The Whistle At Eaton Falls was produced (Columbia University Press).

Watch The Restored Trailer Below:

I love witnessing classic films I have never seen before. And The Whistle At Eaton Falls is one amazing, inspiring film. It is making it's home video debut thank for the great folks at Flicker  Alley and what an amazing release it is. I can not recommend this one enough. It deserves our highest rating!

If you love classic dramas as much as I do, this newly restored version of The Whistle at Eaton Falls is one Blu-ray release you are going to want to add to your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today. You won't regret it.

Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Flicker Fusion Blu-ray release of The Whistle At Eaton Falls receives...