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When Tomorrow Comes (Blu-ray)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Powerhouse Films Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (13th September 2024). |
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The Film
 Following the runaway success of Love Affair, Irene Dunne (The Awful Truth) and Charles Boyer (A Woman’s Vengeance) were reunited for When Tomorrow Comes, a heartbreaking romantic melodrama. Despite differences of class and politics, concert pianist Philip (Boyer) falls in love with waitress Helen (Dunne), and they embark on a torrid romance. However, Helen soon finds that Philip is hiding something from her... Directed by John M Stahl (Leave Her to Heaven) and based on a story by James M Cain (The Postman Always Rings Twice), When Tomorrow Comes was later remade by Douglas Sirk as Interlude, and stands as a classic of the so-called ‘Women's Picture’ genre.
Video
From the booklet: When Tomorrow Comes was restored in 2K by Kino Lorber. The film’s original mono audio was remastered at the same time.As with most Universal titles I've seen from Powerhouse Films, this is a strong, clean master that's been looked after and nicely restored. It's in the Academy ratio and in monochrome with not a shred of colour bias, just nice, crisp inky B&W. There is some inherent softness hither and tither, mainly in optical transitions. Black levels and contrast are strong and supportive allowing plenty of detail to show when allowed by the cinematography. Grain is fine and constant, as one would expect from a 35mm film of the period and well handled with plenty of structure. A good looking film, handled beautifully by the encode with no mucking about from digital tools that I could detect ('A-'). 1080p24 / AVC MPEG-4 / BD50 / 1.37:1 / 91:36
Audio
English LPCM 1.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) Subtitles: English HoH Pretty standard mono track from the period; limited rnge but sounds healthy with clear dialogue. Ocasional hiss is evident especially the louder one plays it but this is to be expected and is not a problem. As with the image it's been cleaned up nicely by Universal. Hard of hearing subtitles are excellent. Sounds as good as it can ('B+').
Extras
Audio commentary with academic and curator Eloise Ross (2024) Australian academic Ross gets straight into the business by paying tribute - and dedicating the track - to the late, much missed Lee Gambin (1979-2024) who also did a track for the 2022 US release and got Ross involved in disc extras. She covers the film in detail from the literary source through production both behind and in front of the camera and has an easy way about her that is very listenable. Topics covered: Themes, character tropes, the lot of the female characters in patriarchy, influences on other films, remakes, etc. Presented in lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (48kHz, 192Kbps) with no subtitles. "Stormy Weather: Geoff Andrew on When Tomorrow Comes" 2024 interview (19:29) Critic and film historian Andrew discusses Dunne and Boyer, other films from around the same time, it's themes and story tropes, it's literary source, the adaptation and differences from the source, the career and background of John Stahl and how he relates to Douglas Sirk, and to other contemporary directors amongst many other related topics circling the film. Presented in 1080p24 1.78:1 with uncompressed English LPCM 2.0 stereo (48kHz, 16-bit) and no subtitles. "The Mark of Cain: Michael Brooke on James M. Cain and When Tomorrow Comes" 2024 video essay (20:55) Disc producer Brooke appears onscreen in this fine, informative essay that focusses on Cain, his career in Hollywood and in writing his famous novels and the film. We get a fairly detailed look at his background, contemporaries. It's well written and Brooke has a relaxing delivery. Presented in 1080p24 1.78:1 with uncompressed English LPCM 2.0 stereo (48kHz, 16-bit) and no subtitles. When Tomorrow Comes Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (38 images) When Tomorrow Comes Image Gallery: Dialogue and Continuity Script (305 pages) Extensive galleries in HD, one with promotional pics and the other a continuity script. 40-page liner notes booklet with a new essay by Pamela Hutchinson, an archival interview with John M. Stahl, a look at author James M. Cain’s reaction to the film, archival pieces in which actors Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer each profile their co-star, an overview of contemporary critical responses and film credits The usual, hefty, literate, informative hard copy booklet that sits nicely in the disc case and is almost worth the price of the disc by itself.
Packaging
Not sent for review.
Overall
A fondly regarded melodrama from Hollywood's greatest year gets the Indicator treatment from Powerhouse Films. Fine image and sound coupled with first rate extras means another winner and must buy for film buffs ('A-').
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