Blu-ray Review: Clash By Night (1952)

Fritz Lang is the award winning director who is probably best known for his ahead of it's time silent classic Metropolis. But he directed some really great films in Hollywood. I'm talking 1936's Fury, 1941's Man Hunt, 1945's Scarlett Street, 1953's Big Heat and 1954's Human Desire.

In 1952 Fritz Lang directed an all-star cast that featured Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Robert Ryan and Marilyn Monroe in Clash By Night. Now the good folks at Warner Archive Collection are giving this film a Blu-ray release it so richly deserves.

After being away for 10 years, Mae Doyle (Barbara Stanwyck) returns home after a liaison with a married politician. When returning she moves in with her brother Joe (Keith Andes). Joe is fearful that his girlfriend Peggy (Marilyn Monroe), may learn of Mae past and end up like her. So Mae ends up married to Jerry (Paul Douglas) with a baby. But she can't seem to out run her wild past, as she is drawn to Jerry's best friend and married man Earl (Robert Ryan).

Clash by Night is a film adapted from the 1941 play by Clifford Odets of the same name. Clash By Night is a melodrama that hits the notes of the heartbreak and bitterness of life. The story is powerful and moves at a nice pace, and at a run time of 105 minutes no time to get bored. Fritz Lang direction is amazing. Barbara Stanwyck stands out in here role her. Very underrated performance by Mrs. Stanwyck in my humble opinion. And the rest of the cast is stellar as well!  

The film has been transferred to Blu-ray in it's original theatrical aspect ratio 1.37:1. The soundtrack is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono sound mix. Finally there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

The transfer seen on this Blu-ray is spectacular, to say the least. The picture is crisp ad clean. There is no signs of damage whatsoever. No scratches, missing frames or debris. The audio is free of any hiss, crackle or pops. But a gorgeous transfer is not all that is included. Warner Archive included some nice bonus features. Take a look at what is included.

* Audio Commentary: filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich during this commentary he shares some recorded excerpts with director Fritz Lang.

* Theatrical Trailer 

Warner Archive really put a lot of love into the restoration of this film noir and I am so glad they did. The audio commentary is a great bonus, especially with the Fritz Lang additions. You can tell those in charge of Warner Archive love the classics and prove it with these releases!

If you love classic dramas and film noirs Clash by Night is a film you need in your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today!



Out of 4 film reels Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of Clash by Night receives....