Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray Review

Alfred Hitchcock is known as The Master of Suspense. He directed some amazing adventures over his illustrious career. North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Man who knew to much, Stranger on a Train ands To Catch a Thief, just to name a few.

Now Hitchcock is also known for his dry humor on his TV series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour". But he is not known for making pure comedy films. But one time he did! At the beginning of his American film career. He wanted to work with Carole Lombard so badly that in 1941 he directed her in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

It is hard to believe this screwball comedy it 83 years old. But for it's 83rd Birthday Warner Archive Collection have decided to give it a nice 4k facelift and a deluxe Blu-ray release. And for me I couldn't be more excited!

Synopsis: "If you had it to do all over again, would you have married me?" Yes, gentlemen, there is a right answer. That's something David Smith learns the hard way when his bubbly and beautiful wife Ann queries him over breakfast. For three years, the Smiths have been blissed but battling. When a technicality voids their union, Mr. misses Mrs., orbiting the tale into the delightful confection of the screwball genre.

The screenplay was written by Academy Award winner* Norman Krasna (Princess O'Rourke), but Hitchcock put his magic touch to the film and made an unforgettable film. Carole Lombard is as good as ever in here second to last film performance. Robert Montgomery keep right in step with her! I feel these two had a great on screen chemistry. Also look for a great performance by Jack Carson (The Groom Wore Spurs).

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a fast-paced screwball comedy from the 1940s. As good as Hitchcock was in suspense film, seeing this film makes me wish he would have done a few more comedies in his career! Hitchcock just knew how to make good films.

This Hitchcock comedy gem have been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in the film's original full screen format in 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Warner Archive have lovingly restored this film. It features a new HD master from 4K scan of best nitrate preservation elements. The results are a simply sensational looking transfer. The black and white picture is crisp and clean with no signs of damage that I could see and the audio is clear with no hiss or pops.

But a gorgeous looking transfer is not all that Warner Archive added to this Blu-ray disc. They added some really fun bonus features making this great release even better. Take a look at what is included.

* Mr. Hitchcock Meets the Smiths (16 minute featurette)
* Classic cartoons: 
- Holiday Highlight (1940) Wacky sketches are presented about the holidays for every month of the year. Including gags for Mother's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving Christmas, New Years and much more.
- Stage Fright (1940) Two Curious Puppies wander into a theater while there they find a magician's rabbit, a playful seal and an intimidating little bird.
* Cinderella's Feller (1940) A 19 minute short in which the famous fairy tale is set to music with the principal characters (Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Wicked Step Sisters) all played by children.
* Two Audio-only radio broadcasts
- Lux Radio Theater broadcast with Carole Lombard and Bob Hope
- Screen Guild Players broadcast with Errol Flynn and Lana Turner
* Original Theatrical Trailer

Warner Archive really went all in with this release. They bring us not one but two cartoons, a featurette and two count them two radio broadcasts. And in these radio broadcasts Carole Lombard is joined by other Hollywood legends Errol Flynn, Lana Turner and Bob Hope. These are great bonus features!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith is more than an entertaining film. It is an important one. To think this is the final film released before Carole Lombard's tragic death. And this is Hitchcock's only real pure comedy film. This new Blu-ray is a must own for anyone's Carole Lombard or Alfred Hitchcock collection. Head over to Moviezyng.com and order your copy today!


Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the best) the Warner Archive Blu-ray of Mr. and Mrs. Smith receives....