The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967)
Blu-Ray Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Jason Robards, George Segal, Ralph Meeker, David
Canary, Bruce Dern, Jean Hale, Jan Merlin, Clinton Ritchie, Jack Nicholson,
Harold J. Stone, Frank Silvera, Joseph Campanella, Richard Bakalyan, Charles
Dierkop, John Agar, Joe Turkel, Reed Hadley, Alexander D’Arcy
Plot: Gangsters against gangsters and the ultimate mystery
of one of Chicago’s most famous and infamous gangster criminal moments. Al
Capone and his thugs and the showdown that leads to the ordeal. 1929 Mr. Capone
finally establishes himself as the boss by his thug’s. He sends them to do the
ultimate massacre and takeover. This film explores the lead up to the reality
and the history that took place. Fictional telling or a true event. This film
explores what possibly happened.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 4/5
Yippee. I know that's not the professional way to start a
movie review out, but you know what, this is my website, my blog, and I don't
care, because, I am utterly happy. Twilight Time Blu-ray has released Roger
F-ing Corman, master and Guru of all things low budget, drive-in, b-grade
mastery. This is one of his personal beauties and trips into a historical crime
moment.
I think something that stands out with this film is for the
time period it was edgy. For a mainstream movie to be bloody and violent in the
way it was. To me it shows you that Roger Corman can transcend, gimmicky
drive-in flare and produce and direct a film that leaves a lasting
impression. The acting, along with the
tight direction and the overall gangster reality, plays with the viewers, and
gives them true entertainment. I think something that needs to be talked about
is, you have to realize, Hollywood, of how the gangster films of the 30s 40s
50s and even into the 60s ended up playing that safe style of gangster. When a
person was shot, there was no blood, they just held there chest and fell. There
was no bullets flying into people, or blood splatter, and that's where this
film differs in the approach of cinema. To me, this was a pioneering film, in
that it showed in the mainstream department, with top actors, and displayed the
violence, in graphic detail for its time.
This was written by Howard Browne. Browne had only written
one other movie before St. Valentines. But he was already a stable in the TV
word, writing for many programs, started back in the early 50’s. From the TV
shows Cheyenne, Maverick, which would lead into him writing his first feature
film, also a gangster film, 1961’s Portrait of a Mobster. His last movie he
would write, would also be another gangster film 1975’s Capone. Browne had a
talent at creating the drama of the characters he brought to life. He was able
to make the players human and seem real. He was able to express the bad guys in
ways that showcased an emotional ordeal, even
though these people where the bad guys, the viewer sometimes rooted for them,
or wanted to see what happened next. Better yet, at times he scripted his
characters to the point you couldn’t stand them, and so you wished them to die;
that was just his amazing talent in able to craft his script and the characters
in his plots. Now this is where I have to depart from the movie and praise
Browne in all his writing glory. If you know me, I Iove to read, and books are
my first and foremost love. I read and read and read. Well Howard Browne is a
master word player in the art of creating Sci-fi stories. When he was not
writing TV, or movies, he was the editor and also wrote for the publications
of, Amazing Stories and Fantastic Adventures. Amazing Stories has been around
since the early 20’s and is still strong today giving an outlet, to many writers, with the mind of an imagination. Sadly Fantastic Adventures did not make the
long run like Amazing Stories did, but if you’re lucky you can still find these
wonderful magazines around. If you ever get a chance look up Browne’s books.
His writing talent is amazing and he has written many memorable books. Sadly I
think he is a forgotten icon of word. His book Thin Air is a really good one,
and I highly recommend.
The film has a narration by Paul Frees. A legend in his own.
A composer, songwriter, actor and yes voiceover, plus a writer. Frees is an
interesting character or at least some of the truths that supposed to be about
him. It is said that he was an undercover agent for the Bureau of Narcotics in
the years of the 60’s. There is a book written by Peter Guralnick that talks
about this reality. I find this concept very entertaining. His voice was one
that was used throughout his many years. He had a voice that was one of those
you could not overlook, and that is why, Hollywood used him often to fix
dialogue and also for narration. It was his voice work on radio that got him
his beginning. Now if you go to Disneyland and Walt Disney World you can hear
his voice on the Haunted mansion Attraction. Sadly he died at the very young
age of 66, but his career is unbelievable. Over 300 performances under his
belt. Started in the 40’s and went strong until his death. For us inner kids,
will know him in the cartoon world as the voice of Boris in Rocky and
Bullwinkle, Capt. Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin, John Lennon and George
Harrison in The Beatles cartoon, The Thing in Fantastic 4 and just countless
others. He was a pioneering voice man that shined and gave the world of cinema
both small and large, a gift that one remembers, every time a film he did, is
popped in. He had a mastery, from voice over, dubbing or narration, he did it
all.
Now the historical reality of this movie, is that it's based
on 1929's Chicago Mass Murder of seven Northside Gang members, who were
brutally gunned down and was given the order's to do so, by Al Capone, which
was followed out by his thug George “Bugs” Moran. That is what most believe and
accept as the truth. St. Valentine’s Day Massacre is like Jack the Ripper, we
know many involved or could have been involved, but no one was ever charged
with the crime.
One, only has to look to the cast of this film to showcase
perfect talent throughout their long careers. The amazing Jason Robard’s, who was
a true icon of the acting world and still is a person that left an iconic
reality upon the business of filmmaking. He plays the main character thug,
leader Al Capone. He gives a dark persona and also life to this man of violent
means.
The extraordinary George Segal who really doesn’t need any
introduction to true movie lovers. He has graced the film world throughout his
vast career of comedy or dramatic roles. Passionate actor that knew what he
wanted and how to accomplish it. Still acts strong today as of this writing in
the TV show The Goldberg’s. Also starring the brilliant David Canary. Canary is
most famous for playing on the long running TV show Bonanza but in reality, it
would have to be his long run as Daytime Soap Opera actor on All My Children.
On a side note for all you Star Trek buffs and movie trivia lovers, Canary was
in the lead to take over the iconic character Spock. There had been some type
of disagreement with contracts and it is said, through, firsthand accounts and
also biography books, that Canary was one of the number one choices to take
over the role. Also starring in St. Valentine’s the top notch Ralph Meeker who
starred in two of my favorite films, 1957’s Paths of Glory, which might I add
was directed by one of my top ten favorite director’s Stanley Kubrick. The
second feature Meeker starred in, and which I remember him most for, would be
the cult film-noir classic Kiss Me Deadly and if you haven’t seen that, what
are you waiting for. Also the great underrated Bruce Dern is one of the
victims. Dern needs no write up on his acting mastery. His career has
flourished both big and small and no matter what he does, he aces it.
Plus watch out for the very small part of acting legend and
icon, Jack Nicholson. Any of you movie buffs and movie trivia fiends will know
that Roger Corman gave the acting world the legend Jack Nicholson. Starring in
many such Roger Corman cult drive-in classics. Jack’s first movie was produced
by Roger Corman, 1958’s The Cry Baby Killer. The first movie he starred in, was
directed by Corman. The b-grade, drive-in, late-night, cult classic, The Little
Shop of Horrors. Including ST. Valentines, Jack acted in 6 films for Corman,
including The Terror. I feel that is something that needs to be said, is that
Corman, gave an outlet for so many writers, directors, and stars to come and
create there career’s. Corman should always be look to, as a pioneering father
in cinema. He brought to life so many actors and actresses, directors, producers,
writers to the world of cinema. Directing over 50 movies and producing over a,
whopping 400 films. He gave chances, to now, Academy Award winning, actors and
directors. One in particular is, the amazing James Cameron.
Now I have to pin point someone who has a small part in
this, and that is actor, Joe Turkel. Who is Turkel you say. Turkel is a
character actor that has made himself known, maybe not in name form, but in
acting certain parts. Many will know Turkel as the Bar Tender in Stanley
Kubrick’s Masterpiece of cinema The Shinning. All one has to do is look at this
man’s resume, for he has been in some of the greatest films of all time. The
Shinning, Blade Runner, Paths of Glory, The Killing, The Sand Pebbles. Often
playing a bad guy, tough guy or a side character, and is often uncredited in
many of his roles. He started acting in the late 1940’s and his career expanded
all the way to late 90’s. But it was always the key parts, Lloyd the Bartender
in The Shining, Dr. Eldon Tyrell in Blade Runner. He has one of those memorable
faces and iconic body emotions that make you remember him. I enjoyed him in the
1990 Horror/Sci-fi The Dark Side of the Moon. I just feel these side
characters, who have acted countless years, deserve to be recognized, and that
is why I wanted to mention him.
Acting veteran and character actor icon, Dick Miller pops up
also in St. Valentines. Miller needs no introduction to true movie lovers. Been
around for many years and is always playing key figures, especially in some of
my favorite films of all time, Rock and Roll High School, The Howling,
Gremlins, The Terminator, Explorers, The Burbs, Demon Knight and so many, many
more. He has graced both small screen and big screen with his talent. He is
also a regular that was in many, upon many of Roger Corman films. He was a
basic standard in Roger’s, films. He is also iconic to the B-movie horror
world. Fans, honor him and respect him.
There are so many wonderful character actors through this
film. Many character actor legends. Actors who have graced countless films from
small too big. To add all the experience of each actor, small and big together
in this film, would be an acting total of over 4 thousand 4 hundred acting
roles in film, both big and small. This scale of big actors and character
actors is amazing in how so many played in this film.
Now to trace how Browne wrote this film is to look at his TV
credit on the CBS Playhouse 90. There was an episode titled Against the Wall
which was also written by Browne and premiered in 1958. I think what is amazing
is looking behind the research Corman did for this film. He mastered the
imagery and the mass murder by following and studying and looking over the
crime photos. I love how the independent film world came together with
Hollywood to create this film. Corman the ultimate master of independent film
making, very seldom entered the mainstream world of filmmaking, but St.
Valentine’s Day was one of those times. The movie had a high budget for its
times and also for Roger Corman. Corman took his beauty of filmmaking and
crafted his excellence of the indie reality nature, and mixed it in, with the
high glamour of Hollywood. Now it is said Corman had some disagreement with
this reality of filmmaking. It is said Corman was disgusted with the amount of
waste in money for creating this film.
In my viewpoint, this is one of the greatest gangster films
and many agree with that reality. Many people, put it on their top, 20 or top
10 list. It’s in my top 20 gangster films of all time. Twilight Time Blu-ray
has brought this film out, so that it had a nice, tight, beautiful and
extraordinary means, to express, to a modern generation, the art-form of this
film and subject in history. I think this was a right choice for the special
edition Blu-ray through the product by Twilight Time. I hope Twilight Time
adventures into other Roger Corman films. He is a director that has given so
much to the world of cinema, and the love of movies and deserves an outlet like
only Twilight Time can give.
This might end up being one of my favorite Blu-ray's of this year. Twilight Time always ends up releasing great films that seem to never get positive outlets and I think they did a wonderful job with this film. Roger Corman to me is an icon. A master. A true pioneer of cinema. A father of independent movie making. A low-budget guru of simplistic perfection and thankfully Twilight Time has honored one of his greats on Blu-ray.
Audio/Video: (4/5)
This is where I'm probably going to differ from many other
people who see this and view it and rate it for the audio and video.
This has been out on VHS and DVD. It's been shown on TCM and
AMC and other television channels. I've seen it in many different ways, some
really horrible bootleg-videos and so it's been around the block, but something
needed to be done. If one film in my personal opinion needed a new approach and
outlet, then it would be this release. It deserves a clarity that only people
who know how to honor a film can do. The company Twilight Time has done this
Roger Corman classic, Justice.
For fans of criminal history, Roger Corman and good, old
school gangster films; this is the best that it has ever been seen. Twilight
Time did another fantastic amazing job on the video. This is the first time I've
ever seen this with such clarity, in the way that it looks, fresh and new. The
film has aged as would expect but now through amazing work, the colors vibrant.
If I was going to pick apart nitty and gritty things, then there are small
moments of damage, but nothing in my viewpoint that needs to be pinpointed,
because of all the other viewings I have seen. This is a masterpiece of video
and audio compared to any of the other outlets of this film. The audio is
stunning, but the restoration and beauty of the film itself, showcases a
perfection. This is one Blu-ray that should be owned.
I found no real mentionable flaw in this. Twilight Time aced
this department. From what, is out there on VHS or DVD, or just the television
version, it's like comparing a fly to an eagle, it has no baring. This is the
eagle.
Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles: English
Extras: (3/5)
As always with any Twilight Time Blu-ray, you get the
isolated music score, which is always a plus. If you've read my past reviews,
you know, that I am a movie buff, along with being a music buff. Specifically
soundtracks and music scores and so that's the clarity of what Twilight Time
offers with their extras.
Now the music was composed by various members of the
art-form of music. Conducted by Lionel Newman. Newman was a brilliant, music
genera master, in his own reality. Gifted in the art-form of supplying
memorable music scores and tunes for many wonderful films and also for TV shows
that most will remember for its music. First movie for me that really comes to
mind, besides this one that he has worked on, would be the horror classic, The
Omen, followed equally by the Sci-fi masterpiece Alien. I mean just looking at the scores he has conducted, The Omen which is
one of the greatest and always spooks me anytime I hear it, showcases his amazement.
He was the uncle to music man, Randy Newman. He won an Oscar for the amazing
1968 Hello Dolly. He was the music supervisor for Star Wars, The Empire Strikes
Back, and Return of the Jedi. That should tell you his mastery. 11 Academy
Award nominations and 1 win. He crafted his art-form over decades upon decades.
He crafted composing music and soundtracks all the way back into the start of
the 1930’s. He mastered his talent through both small and large, from the TV
series Mash, to The Green Hornet and music supervisor on Land of the Giants,
Lost in Space, Batman, and Planet of the Apes. He was the conductor for The St.
Valentine’s Day Massacre alongside Fred Steiner. Now Newman also was a part of
another movie that Twilight Time graced the Blu-ray world with. He was the
conductor on Flaming Star starring Elvis Presley, you can read my review
here: FLAMING STAR REVIEW Steiner like Newman really needs
no introduction in the department of the legacy in music. Steiner composed for
countless TV series, Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, and Hogan’s Heroes, Star Trek,
Tiny Toon Adventures and many others. Now he will always be remembered by me and by many, with one
tune, that still is one of the iconic, music openings to any TV series, the theme
to the long running Perry Mason TV show and movies. Sadly, Steiner was uncredited in St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The music is a great treat to
listen to. The isolated score aces the product.
Roger Corman Remembers (1080p; A little over 3 minutes) A small short of Roger
Corman talking about and reminiscence.
Fox Movietone News (480i; A Little over 4 minutes) Nice archival newsreel
footage giving and talking about such figures as Al Capone
Original Theatrical Trailer (480i; a little over 2 minutes)
Isolated Score Track is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio
2.0.
Overall: (4/5)
This is another forgotten about classic. A classic in the
sense of old school gangster films. This is a film trying to tackle the
criminal reality of the true story of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. No one
really knows the whole truth, we can only speculate. Roger Corman speculated and
did his version, of what he thought happened and it was in my viewpoint a brilliant depiction. This is a must own Blu-ray by Twilight Time.
INFO:
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