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Harriet Craig (Blu-ray)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Powerhouse Films Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (2nd April 2025). |
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The Film
 From director Vincent Sherman (Affair in Trinidad) comes the classic drama Harriet Craig, starring Joan Crawford (Strait-Jacket) and Wendell Corey (Rear Window). Manipulative and possessive Harriet (Crawford) controls every aspect of the lives of her husband Walter (Corey) and cousin Clare (K T Stevens, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice), and schemes to destroy their chances of happiness. However, when they become aware of her treachery, her world begins to fall apart... Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Craig’s Wife by George Kelly (The Show-Off), Harriet Craig boasts one of Joan Crawford’s most devastating performances.
Video
Decent adaptation of the play Craig's Wife (1921), previously filmed a couple of times. Joan Crawford plays a control freak wife, Wendall Corey her husband who comes to realise what a complete tool she is. Not the kind of story that really appeals to me but this was well enough done to get the thumbs up. From the booklet: Harriet Craig was sourced from Sony’s HD remaster. The film’s original mono soundtrack was remastered at the same time.Sony have done a bang-up job making this HD master, as they usually do, probably from the negative based on what I'm seeing. Powerhouse builds on this already string master by giving it an excellent encode from Fidelity in Motion. Filmed in crisp monochrome there's no colour bias here and the blacks and contrast are expertly handled, nice shadow detail and highlights are excellently handled. It's a detailed filmic image with plenty of fine film grain, looking natural. Lots of lovely range and gradients in the image with Crawford's key light standing out nicely within the wide depth of field images. As good an Academy ratio image as I've seen with no signs of damage or age related wear and tear. It's a punchy transfer given some inherent softness at optical transitions (A). 1080p24 / AVC MPEG-4 / BD25 / 1.37:1 / 94:07
Audio
English LPCM 1.0 (48kHz, 16-bit) Subtiltes: English HoH A string, clear mono track that's of limited range but does the job very well. Dialogue is always clear, I heard no distortions and only some very mild hiss typical of analogue era soundtracks. The hard of hearing subtitles were comprehensive for the sections I tested. As strong a restoration as can be (B+).
Extras
Audio commentary with film historians Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme (2025) Both commentators sound like they're in booths, probably not in the same room and miles apart. It's very echoey but always clear and an easy and informative listen from two experienced commentators. Plenty of trivia about how the film was made, information on the cast and crew, themes, its stage source material etc. Presented in lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono (48kHz, 112Kbps) with no subtitle options. "A World of Control: Lies Lanckman on Harriet Craig" 2024 interview (18:31) An excellent, very succinct and to the point overview of Crawford's involvement in the film. Lanckman also covers plenty of other aspects of the film, the play, earlier versions of the play and other aspects of this production in her very conversational, natural style. It's as if she's having a conversation with you personally. Great stuff. Presented in 1080p24 1.78:1 with pillar-boxed 1.37:1 clips with lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (48kHz, 112Kbps) with no subtitles sadly. "The Campbell Playhouse: Craig's Wife" 1940 radio episode (44:03) "Lux Radio Theatre: Craig's Wife" 1941 radio episode (51:02) Two vintage radio adaptations of the 1921 play both presented in lossy English Dolby Digital 1.0 (48kHz, 112Kbps). The 1940 version is of the slightly lesser sound quality, probably down to how it was recorded. It's slightly muffled but it shouldn't hinder enjoyment. The 1941 version is superior in it's tonal qualities; clearer and with greater range (for a mono track from the era). Theatrical Trailer (2:16) Vintage promo, a little dark and very grainy, in upscaled 1080p24 1.37:1 with lossy English Dolby Digital 1.0 (48kHz, 192Kbps) with no subtitle options. Harriet Craig Image Gallery: Original Promotional Material (72 images) Very solid HD gallery of promotional images. 32-page liner notes booklet with new essay by Pamela Hutchinson, a look at the film’s production with a focus on Joan Crawford and Vincent Sherman, an overview of contemporary critical responses and film credits The usual superb hardcopy companion that offers excellent contextual added value.
Packaging
Not sent for review.
Overall
A classic slice of Jon Crawford conema gets the deluxe treatment from Powerhouse Films, perhaps not as well appointed with extras as some other releases of theirs but well covered nonetheless. Image and sound are as strong as can be expected with fine extras (
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