Gloria Swanson started her film career in the silent era. After many years plying her craft she transitioned to the talking pictures. She made many iconic films in her career but probably her best and defiantly my favorite Swanson films is the film noir classic Sunset Boulevard, in which she plays a silent film star wishing to make a return.
Gloria Swanson was a box office success. When her name was on the marquee more often than not the film made money. In 1931 she joined forces with future Hollywood legend Melvyn Douglas for a romantic comedy Tonight or Never. Now the good folks at VCI Entertainment are releasing a deluxe edition of this film on Blu-ray.
Gloria Swanson was a box office success. When her name was on the marquee more often than not the film made money. In 1931 she joined forces with future Hollywood legend Melvyn Douglas for a romantic comedy Tonight or Never. Now the good folks at VCI Entertainment are releasing a deluxe edition of this film on Blu-ray.
A young Hungarian opera singer Nella Vago (Gloria Swanson) lacks the passion to be a great singer, according to her teacher. Even though she is engaged to Count Albert von Gronac (Warburton Gamble), she finds herself falling for a handsome admirer named Jim Fletcher (Melvyn Douglas). Her teacher informs her that the mysterious man is a gigolo, but he could very well hold the keys to all her dreams.
Tonight or Never is a film that has a lot of heart to it. It also is a film that pushes the envelope of what can be seen on screen. If this film would have been made a few years later, when the Production Code of 1934 started this film would have been chopped to pieces. And it is not that the film is raunchy, it would be a little to 'sexy' for the code. One scene Nella is kept awake by a newlywed couple in the next room of here hotel room. That would not fly during the code era.
Now while Tonight or Never is not Swanson's greatest role, it still is a tremendous role. Gloria Swanson and Melvyn Douglas truly shine like lights in this film. They fill the screen with there presence. But the supporting cast is just as good. I think one of the super cool part of this supporting cast is to see a small part going to Boris Karloff. His role in this film is just before he would become a horror icon with the release of Frankenstein.
The film has been photochemically preserved by UCLA Library of Films and Television. This new remaster has been transferred in 1080p and is in it's original full screen format in 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The soundtrack is a PCM Mono audio with the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
I have seen restorations from UCLA Library of Film and Television and they never cease to amaze me. The black and white palette of the film is truly a thing of beauty. There are some minor specks of age, but these are so minor they are hardly worth mentioning. The audio is clear and clean with no signs of hiss or pops. This is my first time seeing this film and what a pleasure it was to see it after new preservation.
VCI Entertainment didn't stop at a nice looking transfer, no way! They added some very cool bonuses to this Blu-ray that will have physical media fans truly excited about. Take a look at what is included.
* Commentary track by Mick LaSalle, Author and Film Critic: Mick has a pleasant speaking voice and is easy to listen to. He brings so much information of the stage production and this film production. You want to know more about this release listen to this commentary.
* Trailers: Sparrows, Rain, Little Annie Rooney, Franchon the Cricket
* Booklet Insert: This booklet features liner note, still photos and an essay by Richard Barrios, writer, historian and Commentator. In this essay we learn more about this film from stage to screen, about Swanson and Douglas lives and so much more.
So as you can see there is so much material in this little release. This Blu-ray really packs a wallop! VCI went above and beyond to give classic film and physical media fans the most bang for their buck! If you love classic Hollywood movies the Blu-ray of Tonight Or Never is one release no classic film fans should be without!
If you love Gloria Swanson this comedy romance Tonight or Never is a must own for your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
If you love Gloria Swanson this comedy romance Tonight or Never is a must own for your collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
Out of Four Film Reels (4 Being the Best) VCI Entertainment's Blu-ray release of Tonight or Never receives...
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