Rhapsody In Blue (Blu-ray)

This new presentation of the original cut of the film (only shown overseas to soldiers) looks astounding, and sounds amazing. The biggest attraction here is Steiner’s superb arrangement of the music (and Levant’s playing) and that the film smartly allows most numbers to play full length or very lightly adapted. While the writing is good, and the supporting cast is strong, the music itself is so much better than the leading man that it overshadows Alda’s attempts. And so it’s at its best when it steps away from the dramatic scenes and just lets the musical brilliance take center stage—which thankfully is most of the picture. As the story itself has a lot of the biographical failings and liberties typical of this era of Hollywood, you have the same upsides and downsides as comes with that style, a happy take on a tragic story (with some added ahistorical love interests cause there’s gotta be a girl or two), well that’s show business I suppose.

The addition of the original 10-minute overture really gives this presentation the prestige it deserves. The monochrome photography is exceptional and, of course, the music unforgettable. The biographical elements are lightweight, but it's the celebrations of Gershwin's glorious style of Americana music composition that ensures this picture's legacy. An absolute treasure from the folks at Warner Archive.