Bringing Up Baby (1938) (Criterion Collection) UK Only [Blu-ray] [2021]

Great value for money . I have always rated this film as one of my all time favourite classics. It never fails to hit the spot no matter how many times I watch it. Never a dull moment , absolutely GREAT SCREWBALL COMEDY , and now that it has been upgraded to (BLU RAY) the picture and sound quality adds a lot more to my viewing exlerience, Great comic Direction from Howard Hawks , Great Screenplay and a Big shout out toKatharine Hepburn & Cary Grant Great acting skills. They certainly "DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE THIS ANY MORE" more's the pity. HIGHLY ENJOYABLE .... And not a sight of SEX or FOUL LANGUAGE any where to be seen. A Class Act All Round. GREAT STUFF.....

There have been two later films using this basic plot, What’s Up Doc, and Hawks own Man’s Favourite Sport? but the original remains the best. It’s one of the screwball comedies popular in the 1930s, notable for fast paced dialogue and convoluted plots. As has been pointed out, normally these feature the male star pursuing the female. In this film, as in Balls of Fire, the roles are reversed, and an unworldly male academic is pursued by an assertive woman. Cary Grant plays convincingly against type as a palaeontologist trying to obtain a grant, who finds his efforts constantly frustrated by Katharine Hepburn’s scatter-brained young woman.The plot features not one but two leopards, a missing bone that will complete a dinosaur skeleton, and a confused lawman, who ends up by jailing most of the characters because none of them has a convincing explanation for the events.The film is based on a short story by Hagar Wilde, who worked with Dudley Nichols on the script (so well that they became romantically involved), but it went through many versions, including uncredited work by two gag writers, before Hawks cut some scenes during production.Grant only got the role after five other actors turned it down. In contrast Hepburn was the second choice after Carole Lombard, as her background matched that of her character. As well as the two leads there is strong support from well-known actors Charlie Ruggles, Fritz Feld and Barry Fitzgerald, as well as May Robson as the aunt and Walter Catlett as Constable Slocum.Despite making a small profit, and initial praise from critics, RKO ended Hawks contract, and the film acquired a reputation as a failure. Over the years however, as the film was shown on television, it has been re-assessed and is now seen as one of the all-time great comedy films, while Hawks now ranks as one of the great directors of the studio era.The picture quality is exemplary, based on a newly restored 4K digital transfer, and should not be confused with other issues criticised by previous reviewers. As with all Criterion versions, there are plentiful extras. In addition to an audio commentary from Peter Bogdanovitch, these include specially commissioned video essays on Cary Grant’s career, Russell Metty, the Director of Photography, Linwood Dunn, who provided the special effects, and Howard Greer, who designed the costumes. There are also interviews with Howard Hawks and Cary Grant.As usual there is also a booklet in this case containing a cast list, an essay by critic Sheila O’Mahoney, and the original story by Hagar. For the technical minded there is also a description of the restoration process.

This review is for the Criterion 2021 edition.The movie is from 1938 and what can you expect in terms of picture and sound quality? I love this movie, it's so crazy and funny and wonderful!I have a dvd recorded from tv in 1995 and i have the one from Universal's Cary Grant collection and this Criterion edition is by far the best quality.Yes it's a bit grainy but not more than other old movies, it's not HD but still by far the sharpest, clearest version of this classic.As usual from Criteron you have selectable subtitles for the hard of hearing or those who want some help in understanding the fact paced wise-cracks.Highly recommended!

I bought this UK version with some trepidation. I put it into my 4k player just to see whether it was as bad as the naysayers would have us believe. Guess what, I watched it right through to the end. It was just as engaging as the very first time I saw it on film 53 years ago. Yes I suppose it might be a bit soft focused and grainy, but nothing like as much as some would have us believe. What do they watch it on, old biscuit tins? Much, much better than the dvd and strongly recommended.

I understand why this amount of grain is present, and have zero doubt that Criterion has put the usual amount of effort to get us the best presentation of this movie. However, the constant presence of huge amounts of grain in the image is distracting, especially during the day scenes and interior scenes, not so much during the night scenes. Sound is good, Extras are plenty and cover everything you'd ever want to know about the movie, and the movie is funny.

Marvelous performance by gary Grant and kathryn Hepburn

A lot of them reviewers spoke before release…It’s “Bringing up Baby” presented by Criterion guys so let’s fish some likes safely.BUT this is NOT the treatment we hoped for.After the miracle done with “Detour”,a poverty road movie,the quality precipitated to the DVD level and it seems that no work is done here.I bought “Twentieth Century” from Indicator,a much older movie,and was a surprise,a clear improvement that was unexpected…Come on Criterion! ”Bringing up Baby” is a legendary movie still presented in cinemas,forums,universities and TVs worldwide.Only THIS you can do for restoration?…Definitely a bad step but sadly the best way yet to see this movie at home…

Movie is very good. 4K restoration is good.

This movie has three of the greatest artists in Hollywood's golden age at the very top of their form. Awesomely funny and entertaining.

Two consummate actors who play well off each other. One of my favourite movies from the golden age of Hollywood.

Era da tanto che aspettavo, una edizione decente di questo film. E questa edizione è perfetta..Ok è in inglese, è tutti parlano super veloci (è il genere che lo impone). Quindi se amate le screwball comedy e conoscete bene, piuttosto bene l'inglese, compratelo, altrimenti no, ma questo è un peccato .

Todo correcto Película magnífica. Nueva y perfecta. Muchas gracias

Wonderful fast paced screwball comedy which is one of the funniest films i have seen from the great Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. A pet leopard and a missing dinosaur bone are the ingredients for comedy chaos. If you are a comedy fan don't miss this one.