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By
NICK ZEGARAC
"Call Me Madam" is a musical that desperately wants you to love it. At times that love is genuine...at other times it seems forced. Ethel Merman stars as "the hostess with the most-est." She's bold, gregarious, irrepressible, manic, enigmatic and electrifying -- in spots. But 2 hours of Ethel is like 20 minutes in a wind tunnel; it's exhausting! Yes, the Irving Berlin score will have you tapping and humming away with pleasure, and, yes, the supporting cast of Vera Ellen, Donald O'Connor and George Sanders are all welcome additions that compliment the divine Ms. Merman. However, they are mere appendages to her performance and are given so little to do that without Ethel there really wouldn't be a show. That aside, Merman proves why she was such a powerhouse on the live stage. She's like the female Bert Lahr (the cowardly lion from "The Wizard of Oz" for those who might otherwise not know to whom I am referring). She bounces from one emotion to the next, manically sucking up the atmosphere and expelling all things Merman in its place. Is she intoxicating? Suffocating is a more accurate assessment, but engaging nonetheless. Just make sure you've had your morning coffee first! Okay, make it two!
This is a respectable transfer from Fox: Full frame, as originally seen, with rich, vibrant Technicolor, solid blacks and excellent contrast levels. Digital anomalies are rare, pixelization being of the greatest concern, for a picture that is overall quite smooth and satisfying, if somewhat softly focused from time to time. Age related artifacts are present throughout but they do not distract from your viewing enjoyment. The audio has been remastered to stereo but remains something of a muffled disappointment, particularly in the songs.
A wonderful audio commentary but precious little else is included as an extra feature. Still, tackle the exuberant Ms. Merman...but only if you dare! |
