Blu-ray Review: Film Focus — Kim Novak

Imprint # 310 – 312

Distributor: Via Vision Entertainment (Imprint)

Release Date: April 24, 2024

Region: Region Free

Video: 1080P (MPEG-4, AVC)

Main Audio —

Jeanne Eagels: 2.0 English Mono Linear PCM Audio

Pal Joey:

5.1 English HD-DTS Surround Audio

2.0 English Mono Linear PCM Audio

Middle of the Night: 2.0 English Mono Linear PCM Audio

Subtitles (All 3 Films): English HOH

Ratio —

Jeanne Eagels: 1.78:1

Pal Joey: 1.85:1

Middle of the Night: 1.78:1

Notes: This boxed set represents the “worldwide” Blu-ray debut for “Jeanne Eagels” and “Middle of the Night.” However, Twilight Time and Sony Pictures gave “Pal Joey” a North American Blu-ray release in 2012 and 2021.

“Kim Novak was one of the last stars built up by a major studio at the end of the star system. Angered by Rita Hayworth’s actions when she was the reigning queen at Columbia and reluctant to work, Harry Cohn said, ‘I’ll make a star out of the next girl who walks into my office, whoever in hell she is.’ Kim was the next girl through the door. Her timing was perfect.

Cohn, next to Louis B. Mayer, was probably the most powerful studio boss in town, but it is doubtful that he could have made a star out of just anyone. A person has to have something to start with which the public will accept and want. Although she was lacking in acting experience, Kim had the combination of looks and personality that only a star brings to celluloid. She generated a kind of sex appeal that was provocative because it also seemed innocent.

Cohn, however, insisted that he was totally responsible for Kim s success. Years later, during one of their contract hassles, he would say, ‘I could have taken a two-bit whore and made her a star just as I did Kim. In fact, if you wanna bring me your wife or your aunt, we’ll do the same for them.’

It’s true Cohn could take credit for a lot — the grooming, the publicity, and good roles in important pictures — but, if Kim didn’t have that special something that defines a star, she would never have gotten further than some of the others who were under contract at the time. Jody Lawrance, Betsy Palmer, May Wynn, Dianne Foster, and Lucy Marlowe were all promising hopefuls at Columbia. Stardom didn’t happen for them.

Kim Novak set a record for going far and fast. Audiences responded to her magnetism with 3,500 fan letters a week. She grew from an insecure and floundering novice to the complete and respected professional she is today.” —Larry Kleno (Kim Novak on Camera, 1980)

This particular set doesn’t quite follow her complete trajectory from “an insecure and floundering novice to the complete and respected professional” actress that many believe she became, but it does manage to come pretty close. Some will lament the fact that some of her most important films — Picnic (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), The Eddy Duchin Story (1956), and especially Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) — aren’t included in the set, but this is still a pretty good collection.

Interested parties can read detailed information about each of the three films included in this collection by clicking on the individual links below (we will be posting these in the days and/or weeks to come):

Jeanne Eagels (1957) – Imprint Collection #311

Jeanne Eagels (1957) was designed as a “star vehicle” for Kim Novak. After a series of supporting roles, Harry Cohn decided that it was time for Novak to sustain a film on her own. Jeanne Eagels would offer a fictionalized account of the rise and spectacular fall of the brilliant but troubled Broadway legend. The film earned approximately $3.1 million in US rentals on a budget of $1.5 million when it was released to theaters on August 02, 1957. It didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but it does qualify as a modest success despite mixed reviews.

Pal Joey (1957) – Imprint Collection #310

Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Kim Novak star in this Rodgers and Hart confection that was nominated for four Academy Awards. It follows a charming but self-serving nightclub singer named Joey Evans (Frank Sinatra) who is very popular with the chorus girls. He charms Vera (Rita Hayworth) in an effort to entice her into financing his own nightclub, but the relationship is complicated when he begins to have feelings for Linda English (Kim Novak).

Middle of the Night (1959) – Imprint Collection #312

Middle of the Night is a “slice of life” story about a scandalous love affair between a 24-year-old divorcee (Kim Novak) and 56-year-old widower (Fredric March) that is based on a Broadway play by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Delbert Mann. The story follows a wealthy garment manufacturer named Jerry Kingsley who is left lonely in his 60s when his wife dies. Despite the difference in their ages, he strikes up a romance with divorced 24-year-old receptionist Betty. The relationship is dismissed by his daughter, discouraged by his sister, and denounced by Betty’s mother.

The Presentation:

5 of 5 Stars

Via Vision’s packaging for the “Film Focus: Kim Novak” collection is outstanding. This is yet another boxed set that sets the standard for how a boxed set should be designed. Each of the six titles included are housed in separate clear cases with insert sleeves that showcase unique artwork for that particular title. The sleeves for Jeanne Eagels and Pal Joey utilize the original designs from their theatrical one sheets, and Middle of the Night utilizes art from one of the original marketing concepts used for the film’s theatrical release, but it isn’t the design used for the US one sheet. All of the insert sleeves are dual sided so that the interiors feature a publicity still from that respective film.

As one can see, the three cases for each film are housed in an attractive box that features a classy design that is unique to this collection (although it utilizes the same basic concept that Via Vision used for other “Film Focus” sets). It’s really quite impressive. Those expecting one of those throwaway boxes made of thin cardboard will be pleasantly disillusioned because the boxes are top quality and extremely sturdy. It is also worth noting that the rating label is on the plastic wrapping and not on the actual box, so it will not mar the packaging in any way. Of course, those who wish to own this collection will need to act fast because this is a Limited Edition (1500 copies)!

Special Features:

3 of 5 Stars

A more in-depth examination of the various supplements that have been spread across the three discs in this set will be included in upcoming articles about each of the titles, but we are happy to announce that two of the three titles (Jeanne Eagels and Pal Joey) include Select Scene Commentary Tracks with Kim Novak and Stephen Rebello, Pal Joey and Middle of the Night include featurettes, and all three films in the collection include a Theatrical Trailer. There isn’t a single “bare bones” disc in the bunch!

Final Words:

This is an incredibly attractive package, and it earns an easy recommendation for Novak completists and die-hard fans because two of the titles — Jeanne Eagels and Middle of the Night — have never been available on the Blu-ray format prior to this release.

Note: While we were provided with a screener for review purposes, this had no bearing on our review process. We do not feel under any obligation to hand out positive reviews.