HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Mono
  • Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono
  • German: Dolby Digital Mono
  • Italian: Dolby Digital Mono
  Subtitles
    French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch, English - Hearing Impaired, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish
  Extras
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Featurette - Restoration Comparison
  • Photo gallery
  • Digitally remastered

Don't Bother to Knock

20th Century Fox/20th Century Fox . R4 . COLOR . 73 mins . M . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Marilyn Monroe playing a psychotic babysitter from hell? You better believe it! When most people think of the luminous Ms Monroe, they conjure up images of a ditzy, sexy blonde bombshell; a happy-go-lucky cocktail of hair, pout and spunk. But Marilyn also pursued her share of serious roles, starting in 1952 with the melodramatic psycho-thriller Don’t Bother to Knock.

Into the surprisingly insular community that is the comings and goings of a busy New York hotel comes Nell (Monroe); a shy young woman recently moved to the big city and looking for a fresh start. With the help of her Uncle Eddie (Elisha Cook), Nell has secured a gig as babysitter to the daughter of wealthy guests. But no sooner has Nell begun work for the night than she comes to the amorous attention of Jed (Richard Widmark); a headstrong airline pilot recently, and painfully, broken up with his girlfriend – the sultry hotel lounge-singer Lyn (Anne Bancroft).

A finely honed sexual predator, Jed deduces Nell’s room-number and calls her up; a little sweet talk securing him an invite, and presumably, a bed for the night. Armed with some hooch, he strolls casually into Nell’s room and her life. Almost immediately the pair seem to share a palpable chemistry, but all too soon Jed comes to realise that all’s not well with this innocent little country girl..

"I can’t figure you out - you’re silk on one side and sandpaper on the other!"

Starting as little more than a painfully slow '50s melodrama, Don’t Bother to Knock is saved by Monroe’s magnificently dark portrayal as a disturbed young woman; a suicidal, emotional train wreck suffering from split personalities. Having only ever seen her sexy screen persona, I was blown away by just how sinister she plays it here; her polished performance displaying a depth that single-handedly carves out a creepy, satisfying thriller. Her performance is supported by the close, almost claustrophobic confines of the hotel itself, as well as a fine turn from Widdermark; a walking hard-on turned concerned father figure.

While I readily admit to approaching Don't Bother to Knock with a measure of trepidation, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found here. By beginning their first Diamond Collection box-set with this particular title, Fox have shown great foresight; dispelling any pre-conceived notions about this enigmatic actress (mine at any rate) and leaving you wanting more. A hell of a lot more.

  Video
Contract

As with all other titles in the Diamond Collection series, Fox have gone to great pains to ensure their DVD release of Don’t Bother to Knock looks as good as possible; striking a new ‘wet-gate’ print from the original camera negative, and applying digital contrast and density correction techniques post-telecine. Presented at its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.35:1, the results are here for all to see with a sharp, detailed image that looks as good as the day it was first screened. Actually, it’s probably even better, with all hints of film artefacting having been removed, and the black level perfectly tuned. Whilst the film still looks its age – shadow detail is a little on the low side and film grain can be seen throughout - fans of Monroe and Don’t Bother to Knock will be well pleased with the results.

In terms of the film’s transfer onto tiny little disc, a few instances of macro-blocking can be seen in some out of focus backgrounds and this, combined with the ever-present film grain, leads to several cases of mild shimmer. In terms of the film-to-video process, apart from the odd bit of moire on the weave of skirts and jackets (an indication of the level of detail we’re treated to here) aliasing artefacts are minimal.

Overall, although deficiencies in the source material might mean that Don't Bother to Knock is not the best black and white transfer you've ever seen, it's by no means the worst and no doubt fans will be pleased with Fox’s offering.

  Audio
Contract

Choosing not to lavish Don’t Bother to Knock with digitally remixed audio; Fox presents the film in its original mono soundtrack. Still, for intents and purposes it’s serviceable enough, with the all-important dialogue remaining clear and distinct throughout, and the mix delivered from the centre channel by your trusty Prologic decoder without a hint of noise, clicks, pops or dropouts. Enough said.

  Extras
Contract

Static, full-frame menus provide access to a small number of extras; sadly with limited re-watch potential. Firstly, there’s the theatrical trailer (2:35) which, swimming with film artefacts of all shapes and sizes, talks up the rising star that is Ms Monroe. Next comes the obligatory restoration comparison (1:21), which highlights the differences between the newly struck print used for the transfer and the final product; the most obvious being the removal of film artefacts, black-level correction, and an increase in contrast. Lastly there’s a stills gallery that provides us with 23 images in total from publicity, behind the scenes and movie posters.

  Overall  
Contract

A satisfying thriller and an eye-opener for this newest of Monroe fans, Don't Bother to Knock showcases the depth of acting talent often hidden behind Marilyn's ditzy screen persona. Although slow to start, this psycho build to a satisfying climax, and represents a great addition to the first of Fox's Diamond Collection boxed-sets.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=1854
  • Send to a friend.

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   
      And I quote...
    "Monroe's sinister performance single-handedly carves out a creepy, satisfying thriller from decidedly melodramatic beginnings..."
    - Gavin Turner
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Toshiba SD-2108
    • TV:
          Panasonic TC-68P90A TAU (80cm)
    • Receiver:
          Yamaha RX-V795
    • Amplifier:
          Yamaha RX-V795
    • Speakers:
          B&W 602
    • Centre Speaker:
          B&W CC6 S2
    • Surrounds:
          JM Lab Cobalt SR20
    • Subwoofer:
          B&W ASW-500
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
      Recent Reviews:
    by Gavin Turner

    Daddy Day Care
    "Steadfastly walking the firm, middle ground of ‘family-values’ entertainment, it’s a light, sometimes funny and often enjoyable film full of cute kids and obvious gags. "

    Please Teacher! Volume 1 - Hot For Teacher
    "It’s one of the quintessential schoolboy fantasies…"

    Returner
    "What's in a title? Returner may well be a self-fulfilling prophecy… "

    Hulk: CE
    "Collector's or Special Edition? That is the question..."

    Hulk
    "Combining camp Summer-blockbuster with compelling, human drama, Ang Lee's Hulk is essential viewing."

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright © DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss