Anemone 4K (2025/Universal 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)/Interrupted Melody (1955*)/Manhattan Melodrama (1934*)/Valley Of Decision (1945/*all MGM/Warner Archive Blu-ray)

4K Ultra HD Picture: B+ Picture: B Sound: B/B-/C+/B- Extras: D/C-/C/C Films: C+

PLEASE NOTE: The Interrupted Melody, Manhattan Melody and Valley Of Decision Blu-rays are now only available from Warner Bros. through their Warner Archive series and can be ordered from the links below.

Now for a set of interesting melodramas, which all get mixed results...

Ronan Day Lewis' Anemone 4K (2025) marks the return of actor Daniel Day-Lewis (father of the director, who co-wrote the screenplay) in a tale of a man who finally reunites with his long lost brother (the underrated Sean Bean) who have unfinished business connected to older activities in Ireland we will not go into as not to reveal any spoilers. A slow, often silent film that has as much to offer in images as in character, it may not totally justify its time of over to hours (it could have lost 10 to 15 minutes to be honest) but is ambitious and tries to be and do something different in a year with so much garbage.

The leads are good and convincing, the underrated Samantha Morton shows up adding nuance and credibility and it never backs down or sell out its Irish story. That part sometimes stumped more than a few critics, but despite its limits, I was glad to see the film, to see Daniel Day-Lewis back and that his son potentially has a serious directing career ahead of him. Its definitely worth a look for those interested.

There are sadly no extras, unless you want to count Digital Code.

Curtis Bernhardt's Interrupted Melody (1955) is a backstage musical of sorts, but also a biopic and a tragic one, as Eleanor Parker (Oscar-nominated here) is a soprano opera singer who can sing other types of music and becomes an international success, only for a shock turn where she lands up getting polio out of nowhere!

Glenn Ford and Roger Moore are the men in her life and after the tragedy, she fights back all the way she can, not missing a note or a beat. At 106 minutes, it uses its time wisely, but could have been just a bit tighter. However, the studio knew what they had, including a great use of music and some great performances, so they thought this was just enough, meaning we do not get the run-on some my have gone for to milk things out.

Cecil Kellaway, Peter Leeds, Ann Codee, Walter Baldwin, Evelyn Ellis, Stephen Bekassy and more than a few uncredited-but-known faces (including Stuart Whitman, Jack Grinnage, Penny Santon and William Forrest) fill out an ambitious film that has its moments and is worth a good look, no matter how its aged.

Extras include an Original Theatrical Trailer and Technicolor, CinemaScope animated cartoon short Tom and Cherie.

W.S. Van Dyke's Manhattan Melodrama (1934) lives up to the latter part of the title as Clark Gable, William Powell and Myrna Loy star in this wide-ranging tale of two childhood friends who land up on the opposite sides of the law (a young Mickey Rooney is one of them) with Gable the well-organized crook. It runs only 90 minutes, but still has some off parts, though was likely more original in its time.

David O. Selznick and Cosmopolitan Pictures co-produced the film, based on a screenplay co-written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, so this was definitely an A-level picture and still looks its, glamorous, pre-WWII and all. The stars shine, supported by George Sydney, Nat Pendleton, Isabel Jewell, Frank Conroy, Shirley Ross and a few uncredited turns of some familiar faces.

Definitely worth a look, this is a 'Manhattan' you'll definitely be able to take.

Extras include an Original Theatrical Trailer, MGM live action shorts The Big Idea and Roast Beef and Movies and 9/9/1940 Lux Radio Theater version of this film with William Powell and Myrna Loy.

Tay Garnett's Valley Of Decision (1945) is an interesting tale of class division in the early days of steel production in Pittsburgh when it really was 'The Steel City' in 1873 (!!!) with Paul Scott (Gregory Peck on the upswing as a huge new star) who feels working with workers instead of against them is best, who falls for the working daughter (Greer Garson) of an angry labor leader (Lionel Barrymore at his gruff best) causing inevitable troubles for all.

She also falls for him just in time to tick off her already older, ill father and in time for a huge workers strike. You can imagine some of the rest, but this still has its moments despite some predictability and obviousness. MGM put some money in this one and the supporting cast is a plus including Marsha Hunt, Donald Crisp, Preston Hunter, Gladys Cooper, Dan Duryea, Marshall Thompson, Dean Stockwell and Jessica Tandy.

Worth a look just for all that works, but expect some off moments.

Extras include an Original Theatrical Trailer, MGM live action short Spreadin' The Jam, MGM Technicolor animated cartoon short Wild and Wooly and a Lux Radio Theater version of this film with Greer Garson and Gregory Peck.

Now for playback performance. The 2160p HEVC/H.265, 2.35 X 1, Dolby Vision/HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image on Anemone 4K has some nice shots throughout that work and help this to be the best visual performer here, followed by the rest of the discs, including the 1080p Blu-ray version of the film also included. Its not bad, but no match for how great the 4K can look, though the film has many darker stretches that the 4K also resolves better. Both offer lossless Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mixdown for older systems) mixes that are consistent, but quiet and dialogue-based where applicable, so it is fine, but do not expect stunning sonics all the time.

The 1080p 2.55 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer on Interrupted Melody can show the age of the materials used in parts, but this is far superior a transfer to all previous releases of the film on home video, shot towards the end of the original years of CinemaScope before the frame was shrunk at the sides slightly to make way for optical sound. MGM was using dye-transfer, three-strip Technicolor for these films, but when this arrived, were switching to their own MetroColor labs (using Ansco Color eventually) and using Eastman Color 35mm negative film. That gives this a unique entry in MGM's early scope catalog visually and a look slightly different from their other films form the time.

The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo lossless mix is a mixdown from the 4-track magnetic stereo sound with traveling dialogue and sound effects that has somehow been lost. It still sounds good, but some of the range and dynamics are gone for now, sadly. Still, it was well recoded and that can still come through often.

The 1080p 1.33 X 1 black & white digital High Definition image transfers on Manhattan Melodrama and Valley Of Decision can also sometimes show the age of the materials used, but they look great for the most part, restored thoroughly by Warner Archive very well. The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Mono lossless mixes on both films form their original optical mono theatrical soundtracks are been also restored and remastered as well as possible, but Manhattan Melodrama just shows it age more than expected. Otherwise, both sound as good as they ever will.

To order the Interrupted Melody, Manhattan Melodrama and/or Valley Of Decision Warner Archive Blu-rays, go to this link for them and many more great web-exclusive releases at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/ED270804-095F-449B-9B69-6CEE46A0B2BF?ingress=0&visitId=6171710b-08c8-4829-803d-d8b922581c55&tag=blurayforum-20

- Nicholas Sheffo