Director: Mervyn Leroy
Cast: Karl Malden, Natalie Wood, Rosalind Russell
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Archive
Running Time: 143 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Release Date: November 20, 2012
Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Growing up in New York and always traveling to the city, I have seen numerous different version of this Broadway classic over the years. The cast is so perfect for this film and Karl Malden, Natalie Wood, and Rosalind Russell all deliver their best. The film itself is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year and has never looked better. Thanks need to go to Warner Archive for delivering this classic on Blu-ray for the first time. This is one of Warner Archive’s first go-round at Blu-ray and I can’t wait to see what they have planned next. I would highly recommend this release. It is being made via MOD, so be sure to get it before it goes out of print.
Official Synopsis: Ringing with the showbiz sass of its Jule Styne/Stephen Sondheim score, the film version of the Broadway hit Gypsy takes you on a grand vaudeville tour. It sweeps you up in the roller-coaster relationship of Louise (Natalie Wood), the wallflower later to blossom into sophisticated stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, and her ambitious mother, Rose (Rosalind Russell who’s performance won her a fifth Best Actress Golden Globe Award). Karl Malden scores as Herbie, the salesman who falls for Rose – to his exasperation. Full of terrific tunes (Everything’s Coming Up Roses and Small World among them), Gypsy will certainly entertain you and definitely make you smile.
For a film made back in 1962, this film looks very nice it’s brand new high-definition 1080p transfer and the original aspect ratio of 2.40:1. I was very impressive with the beautiful video presentation. The audio includes an DTS-HD MA 2.0 surround track. It sounds good but since the film is a musical, I was really hoping this was going to better than good. The special features are slim but at least there is something. Warner Archive usually deliver bare bones, so something is better than nothing. There are two outtake musical numbers for “You’ll Never Get Away from Me (Duet Version)” and “Together Wherever We Go”. Also there is the theatrical trailer included. Overall, for Warner Archive’s first go-round on Blu-ray it is very impressive and I look forward to future releases.