Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno – Arrow Academy (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: France, 2009
Directors: Serge Bromberg, Ruxandra Medrea
Writer: Serge Bromberg
Cast: Romy Schneider, Bérénice Bejo, Serge Reggiani, Jacques Gamblin, Dany Carrel, Jean-Claude Bercq, Mario David, André Luguet, Maurice Garrel, Catherine Allégret, Barbara Sommers, Maurice Teynac, Henri Virlojeux, Blanchette Brunoy, Henri-Georges Clouzot

Release Date: February 5th, 2018 (UK), February 6th, 2018 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 99 Minutes 48 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: PG (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 French, LPCM Stereo French
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: OOP

"In 1964, Henri-Georges Clouzot, the acclaimed director of thriller masterpieces Les Diaboliques and Wages of Fear, began work on his most ambitious film yet.

Set in a beautiful lake side resort in the Auvergne region of France, L'Enfer (Inferno) was to be a sun scorched elucidation on the dark depths of jealousy starring Romy Schneider as the harassed wife of a controlling hotel manager (Serge Reggiani). However, despite huge expectations, major studio backing and an unlimited budget, after three weeks the production collapsed under the weight of arguments, technical complications and illness.

In this compelling, award-winning documentary Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea present Inferno's incredible expressionistic original rushes, screen tests, and on-location footage, whilst also reconstructing Clouzot's original vision, and shedding light on the ill-fated endeavour through interviews, dramatisations of unfilmed scenes, and Clouzot's own notes." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The film was prepared in High Definition by MK2 and delivered to Arrow Films."

Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.7 GB

Feature: 24.3 GB

There are three sources; these include newly shot interview footage, archival footage, and outtakes/footage shot by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 French, LPCM Stereo French)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in French and a LPCM stereo mix in French. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, both audio tracks sound great. Included are removable English subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a stills gallery (41 images), a theatrical trailer (1 minute 44 seconds, DTS-HD stereo French with removable English subtitles), an introduction with co-director Serge Bromberg (8 minutes 56 seconds, LPCM stereo French with removable English subtitles), an interview with Serge Bromberg (18 minutes 9 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an video essay with film cinema expert Lucy Mazdon, who discusses Henri-Georges Clouzot and Inferno (21 minutes 48 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), a “Making of” featurette titled They Saw Inferno, this extra gives a detailed account about Inferno, why the film was never completed and information about its rediscovery (59 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo French with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Welcome to Hell written by Ginette Vincendeau and information about the transfer. 

Summary:

Throughout cinema’s history, there have been numerous films that were never completed. Though many of these films have all but been forgotten, a handful of films have attained a Holy Grail-like status. And one such film that falls into this latter category is Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno.

Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno is a detailed overview of why Inferno was never finished. And this is done via test footage, archival and new interviews from those who were involved in the making of this film, and newly shot dialog exchanges to help flesh out some of the moments that were filmed.

Inferno was in its very early stages when everything fell apart, and what was filmed is best described as fragments. That said, the footage that was shot and featured in this documentary is extraordinary.

Arrow Academy gives Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Inferno an exceptional release, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Manon – Arrow Academy (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: France, 1949
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Writers: Jean Ferry, Henri-Georges Clouzot
Cast: Serge Reggiani, Michel Auclair, Cécile Aubry, Andrex, Raymond Souplex, André Valmy, Henri Vilbert, Héléna Manson, Dora Doll

Release Date: February 24th, 2020 (UK), February 25th, 2020 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 105 Minutes 58 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: LPCM Mono French
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"A classical tragic romance transposed to a World War II setting, Clouzot's film follows the travails of Manon (Cécile Aubry), a village girl accused of collaborating with the Nazis who is rescued from imminent execution by a former French Resistance fighter (Michel Auclair). The couple move to Paris, but their relationship turns stormy as they struggle to survive, resorting to profiteering, prostitution and even murder. Eventually escaping to Palestine, the pair attempt a treacherous desert crossing in search of the happiness which seems to forever elude them..." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "The master was prepared in High Definition by Les Films du Jeudi and delivered to Arrow Films."

Manon comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46.5 GB

Feature: 28.7 GB

There are some variances in terms of image clarity, contrast, black levels, and grain. The majority of the time, the image looks great and far exceeds expectations.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in French with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. That said, range-wise, this audio track is satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (63 images - stills/lobby cards/posters), an appreciation by film critic Geoff Andrew titled Woman in the Dunes (22 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival documentary from 1970 in which Henri-Georges Clouzot talks of his love of literature and the relationship between the page and the screen titled Bibliotechque de poche: H.G. Clouzot (46 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, and a 24-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Manon: Misogyny and Amour Fou in the ‘Gigantic Rat-Race of the Liberation’ written by Ginette Vincendeau and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Henri-Georges Clouzot directed Manon. He is also known for directing Quai des Orfèvres, The Wages of Fear, Diabolique, La verité, and Woman in Chains.

A former member of the French resistance rescues a woman who was a Nazi sympathizer from a lynch mob.

Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Manon takes Antoine François Prévost's 18th-century novel and adapts it for post-World War II France. Though the source has been considerably changed, the result is a film that retains its essence.

At the heart of Manon is a tale about two lovers, Robert Desgrieux, a former member of the French Nazis; an act of kindness saves a young woman named Manon Lescaut from a mob who want to shave her head for collaborating with the Nazis. Structure-wise, Manon’s narrative unfolds via a series of flashbacks that occur after the captain of the boat they’re traveling on discovers Robert’s a wanted man. In the finale, the two characters' moment of truth takes place in the present, after they’ve departed the boat.

Content-wise, Manon has all the elements that have become synonymous with Henri-Georges Clouzot's cinema, most notably, his knack for creating tense moments. Nowhere is this clearer, then, when it comes to Manon and Robert’s turbulent romance. Standout moments include the scene where Robert rescues Manon from a mob, the scene where Manon’s betrayal leads to murder, and a desert sequence that culminates the film.

Another strength of Manon is its well-defined characters, and performance-wise, the entire cast is excellent. That said, Cécile Aubry's (The Black Rose) portrayal of Manon is this film’s heart and soul. Michel Auclair’s (The Day of the Jackal) portrayal of Manon’s lover Robert is another performance of note. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the scenes they share are mesmerizing.

From a production standpoint, there’s not an area where Manon does not excel. A perfectly paced narrative that gives key moments to resonate, a bittersweet finale that provides a satisfying coda, and the visuals do a superb job of reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Manon is an extraordinary tale about obsessive love.

Manon gets a first-rate release from Arrow Academy that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a trio of insightful extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Seventh Curse / Witch from Nepal – Vinegar Syndrome (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: Hong Kong, 1986 (The Seventh Curse, Witch from Nepal)
Directors: Ngai Choi Lam (The Seventh Curse), Ching Siu-tung (Witch From Nepal)
Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Chin Siu-ho, Maggie Cheung, Elvis Tsui, Kara Wai (The Seventh Curse), Chow Yun-fat, Emily Chu, Yammie Lam, Dick Wei (Witch from Nepal)

Release Date: January 21st, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 83 Minutes 57 Seconds (The Seventh Curse - Extended Hong Kong Version), 80 Minutes 38 Seconds (The Seventh Curse - Export Cut), 89 Minutes 57 Seconds (Witch from Nepal)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Cantonese, DTS-HD Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $59.98

The Seventh Curse: "Dr. Yuan is a world-famous adventurer whose exploits have found him playing everything from hostage negotiator to exploring the most offbeat corners of the globe. While in the jungles of Thailand, Dr. Yuan rescues a young woman from a bloodthirsty supernatural sect named the "Worm Tribe," as they attempt to sacrifice her to their ancient evil deity. After a Worm Tribe elder forces the doctor to swallow a handful of bullets, Dr. Yuan becomes afflicted by the “seven blood curses,” which cause the bullets to burst from his body. Determined to find a cure before the seventh and final curse takes his life, Dr. Yuan returns to the jungle, where he must defeat the Worm Tribe and other unexpected supernatural obstacles." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Witch from Nepal: "Joe and his girlfriend travel to Nepal to escape their busy lives. However, their vacation takes an unwelcome turn when Joe is injured while on safari and goes missing. Once found, he is brought to a hospital where a mysterious woman tells him that he's been chosen to be the leader of a mystical tribe in order to fight against an evil sorcerer. Upon returning to Hong Kong, Joe tries to forget about his ordeal. However, the mysterious woman tracks him down, and the two soon fall madly in love. Unfortunately, the sorcerer is also in Hong Kong searching for the mysterious woman, and Joe soon finds himself embroiled in a savage fight between good and evil." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (The Seventh Curse - Extended Hong Kong Version, Witch from Nepal), 4.25/5 (The Seventh Curse - Export Cut)

Here’s the information provided about the transfers, "Newly color-graded and restored by VS from studio-supplied masters."

The Seventh Curse comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 46 GB

Feature: 21.9 GB (Extended Hong Kong Version), 20.9 GB (Export Cut)

Though this release uses the same source that 88 Films used, it has a new color grade. Image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. That said, the extended Hong Kong version transfer is stronger than the export version.

Witch from Nepal comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.9 GB

Feature: 22.7 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tone looks correct, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Mono Cantonese - The Seventh Curse Extended Hong Kong Version), 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono English - The Seventh Curse Export Cut, Witch from Nepal - Both Audio Tracks)

The Seventh Curse, the extended Hong Kong version, comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. This track has some dialog in Mandarin and English. Included are removable English subtitles that translate all of the dialog. There is no subtitle option that only translates the Cantonese and Mandarin dialog.

The Seventh Curse: The export cut comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH subtitles.

Both audio tracks are in great shape. Dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should.

Witch from Nepal comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese and a DTS-HD mono mix in Mandarin. These two audio tracks are comparable; dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise they are very good. Included are removable English subtitles for the Cantonese language track.

Extras:

Extras on disc one include Cantonese language theatrical trailer for The Seventh Curse (4 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), English language theatrical trailer for The Seventh Curse (2 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Cantonese language theatrical trailer for Witch from Nepal (3 minutes 7 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Cantonese with removable English subtitles), a video essay by film historian and author Samm Deighan titled Lam Ngai Kai: Hong Kong's Master of Fantasy (16 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with martial arts film expert Frank Djeng for the Hong Kong version of The Seventh Curse, and an audio commentary with Samm Deighan and author & podcaster Mike White for Hong Kong version of The Seventh Curse.

Extras on disc two include an audio commentary with Frank Djeng for Witch from Nepal.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a hard slipcase + slipcover combo, and a 40-page perfect bound with an essay titled Erotic Chiller: The Supernatural Sensuousness of Witch from Nepal written by Travis Woods, and an essay titled Adventure, He Wrote: Tracing the Influences of Ni Kuang’s Wisely written by Erica Shultz.

Summary:

Ngai Choi Lam directed The Seventh Curse. He is also known for directing Her Vengeance, Erotic Ghost Story, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, and The Cat. The Seventh Curse is based on author Ni Kuang's novel series Dr. Yuen.

The Seventh Curse is a classic example of how good Hong Kong cinema was at making cinema that incorporated multiple genres and how effortlessly they shifted between genres. The Seventh Curse is a melting pot of genres. It is an action film, an adventure film, a horror film, a fantasy film, and a martial arts film all rolled into one.

A lot happens in The Seventh Curse in just under eighty-four minutes (if you include the opening and closing credits). The same can be said, even if you watch the export version, which only omits the segments with author Ni Kuang that open and close the extended Hong Kong version. That said, from the opening raid of a hospital by a SWAT team to a supernatural showdown that has impressive martial arts and some old-school practical special effects, there is rarely a moment where the narrative lets you catch your breath.

The Seventh Curse has a solid cast that is anchored by three actors: Siu-Ho Chin (Mr. Vampire) in the role of the protagonist, Dr. Yuen; Maggie Cheung (Police Story) in the role of Tsui Hung, a reporter who's always getting in the way of Dr. Yuen; and Chow Yun-Fat (The Killer) in the role of Wisely, a confidant of Dr. Yuen. Most of the humor in The Seventh Curse comes from the combative relationship between Dr. Yuen and Tsui Hung. Another performance of note is Elvis Tsui (A Chinese Torture Chamber Story) in the role of an evil sorcerer named Aquala. He delivers a deliriously demented performance that perfectly captures his character's essence.

From a production standpoint, there is not an area where The Seventh Curse does not deliver and then some. The premise is well-executed, a breakneck narrative ensures there is never a dull moment, the action set pieces are fantastic, and the old-school practical special effects hold up really well. Ultimately, The Seventh Curse is an entertaining film that epitomizes all the things that make classic Hong Kong cinema so great.

Witch from Nepal: A mystical tribe member gives a man on vacation in Nepal magical powers.

Ching Siu-tung directed Witch From Nepal. He is also known for directing Duel to the Death, A Chinese Ghost Story (1, 2, 3), The Swordsman (1, 2, 3), The Mad Monk, and Dr. Wai in "The Scripture with No Words".

Witch from Nepal is an adventure/action/supernatural hybrid that effectively blends all of these genres. At its core, Witch from Nepal is your standard good versus evil scenario. The protagonist is given extraordinary powers, which not only allow him to quickly heal a broken leg, but also allow him to effortlessly scale buildings and glide through the air.  That said, the story that unfolds requires a leap of faith, and backstory is non-existent.

After a strong opening that introduces the main villain, a demon, there are no big surprises until the last 20 minutes. The bulk of the narrative is the protagonist discovering his new powers, how to use them, and hiding another woman from his girlfriend. That said, this triangle between the protagonist, the girlfriend, and the other woman provides a few tense moments.

The core cast, which is only four actors, are all great in their roles: Emily Chu (Heart of the Dragon), who portrays the woman who gives the protagonist magical powers. The main draw for most is Chow Yun-Fat (A Better Tomorrow), in the role of the protagonist. No matter what film he’s in, it is always a pleasure to watch him. Yammie Lam's (The Bride with White Hair) portrayal of the protagonist's jealous girlfriend is noteworthy. Dick Wei (Yes, Madam!), who portrays a demon warrior, is woefully underused.

Though Witch from Nepal is a film that takes advantage of resources, like locations not usually seen in Hong Kong films, there are areas where it misses the mark. Its most glaring shortcoming is its pacing, which has many lulls. Areas where Witch from Nepal excels are its ominous score, impressive stunt work, and moments rooted in the supernatural. There are two standout fight sequences: one where corpses rise from the dead and attack, and a showdown between the protagonist and the demon warrior. Ultimately, despite its shortcomings, Witch from Nepal is a lot of fun.

Vinegar Syndrome gives two supernatural-themed Hong Kong films an excellent release that comes with solid audio/video presentations and insightful extras; highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Le Corbeau – The Criterion Collection (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: France, 1943
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Writers: Louis Chavance, Henri-Georges Clouzot
Cast: Pierre Fresnay, Ginette Leclerc, Micheline Francey, Héléna Manson, Jeanne Fusier-Gir, Sylvie, Liliane Maigné, Pierre Larquey, Noël Roquevert

Release Date: February 19th, 2019
Approximate Running Time: 91 Minutes 43 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono French
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.95

"A mysterious writer of poison-pen letters, known only as Le Corbeau (the Raven), plagues a French provincial town, exposing the collective suspicion and rancor seething beneath the community’s calm surface." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "This 4K restoration was created by StudoCanal with support from the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, from the 35mm original camera negative at Éclair in Vanves, France."

Le Corbeau comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 34.3 GB

Feature: 25.6 GB

The source looks excellent; image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in French with removable English subtitles. Though there is some mild background hiss in the early part of the film, the bulk of the time the audio sounds great. That said, dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with removable English subtitles), an excerpt from The Story of French Cinema by Those Who Made It: Grand Illusions 1939–1942, a 1975 documentary featuring director Henri-Georges Clouzot (7 minutes 56 seconds, Dolby Digital mono French with removable English subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier (21 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and a leaflet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Grasping for Light written by Alan Williams, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Henri-Georges Clouzot directed Le Corbeau. He is also known for directing Quai des Orfèvres, The Wages of Fear, Diabolique, La verité, and Woman in Chains.

Anonymous poison pen letters signed by the Raven accuse a doctor of having an affair and performing illegal abortions.

Le Corbeau is a brilliant examination of how accusations and lack of due process destroy someone's reputation. When Le Corbeau was made, it was during a time when Nazi Germany occupied France, and the act of anonymous letters denouncing someone was very real. Though this subject matter perfectly ties into what was happening at that time, it is just as relevant today with the rise of cancel culture.

The narrative does a phenomenal job holding back the identity of the Raven. Characters and their motivations are well-defined; there are multiple suspects who are ultimately proven innocent. With each new letter, there is an escalation in violence and mass hysteria. That said, the Raven sees themselves as a crusader against sinners.

Performance-wise, the entire cast is outstanding. The standout performance is Ginette Leclerc’s (The Baker’s Wife) portrayal of Denise Saillens, the doctor’s lover. Another performance of note is Pierre Fresnay’s (The Phantom Carriage) portrayal of Doctor Rémy Germain, the main target of the Raven. The majority of what unfolds is through his viewpoint, and this character serves the role of an amateur sleuth who unmasks the Raven.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where Le Corbeau does not excel. Though the visuals let the performances take center stage, there are a few visually arresting moments. The most striking of these moments is a funeral procession. Even at this early stage of his career, Henri-Georges Clouzot’s ability to create tense moments is second to none. Ultimately, Le Corbeau is an extraordinary film about the consequences of lies and deceit.

Le Corbeau gets an exceptional release from The Criterion Collection that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Charley Chase at Hal Roach: The Late Silents - VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Dates: USA, 1926, 1927
Director: James Parrott (All Films)
Cast: Charley Chase, Eugenia Gilbert, Noah Young, Mickey Bennett, Anita Garvin, Gale Henry, Jean Arthur, Martha Sleeper, Oliver Hardy, Lupe Velez, Edna Marion, Bull Montana, Stan Laurel, Margaret Quimby, 

Release Date: November 26th, 2024
Approximate Running Times: 19 Minutes 34 Seconds (There Ain't No Santa Claus), 20 Minutes 28 Seconds (Many Scrappy Returns), 20 Minutes 38 Seconds (Are Brunettes Safe?), 21 Minutes 23 Seconds (A One Mama Man), 20 Minutes 42 Seconds (Forgotten Sweeties), 16 Minutes 4 Seconds (Bigger and Better Blondes), 21 Minutes 2 Seconds (Fluttering Hearts), 20 Minutes 32 Seconds (What Women Did for Me), 19 Minutes 21 Seconds (The Sting of Stings), 15 Minutes 13 Seconds (The Lighter That Failed), 10 Minutes 6 Seconds (Now I'll Tell One), 20 Minutes 58 Seconds (The Way of All Pants), 20 Minutes 12 Seconds (Us), 20 Minutes 29 Seconds (Assistant Wives), 5 Minutes 34 Seconds (Never the Dames Shall Meet)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (All Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Stereo With English Intertitles (All Films)
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $39.95

"Both Charley Chase and the Hal Roach Studios Golden Era was in the late 1920's, and 1927 was the year Charley Chase was the Lot of Fun's Number One star. His films from that period, directed by his brother James Parrott and supervised by Leo McCarey, were not only some of his best but were also some of the greatest comedies from the silent era. Most of these classic shorts have never been seen since their original release, and this set combines materials from film archives and private collections from around the world to bring these shorts together for the first time." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video:

Here’s the information given about the transfers, "This collection is the result of several years of extensive research and restoration work. As the Hal Roach Studio master materials no longer exist, each film was meticulously reconstructed and remastered, sometimes utilizing multiple elements, in varying conditions, gathering from around the world, including several instances in which the only currently known materials were utilized."

Disc one is a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 42.4 GB (8 Short Films)

Disc two is a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37.2 GB (10 Short Films)

The best-looking transfers are A One Mama Man, Fluttering Hearts, Are Brunettes Safe?, and What Women Did for Me, while Many Scrappy Returns, Bigger and Better Blondes, Assistant Wives, and The Lighter That Failed look rough. That said, it is not surprising that most of these only exist from lesser sources since the majority of silent cinema is lost.

Audio:

All of the short films come with one audio option, a LPCM stereo audio track with English intertitles. All of the audio tracks sound clean, clear and balanced.

Extras:

Extras for this release are audio commentaries with Richard M. Roberts for all 15 short films. 

Other extras on disc two include an extensive photo gallery (lobby cards/posters/stills), and bonus short films; The Merry Widow starring Stan Laurel (18 minutes 2 seconds, LPCM stereo with English intertitles), and a remake of the Charley Chase short film Now I'll Tell One titled Smile, Buttercup, Smile (10 minutes 35 seconds, LPCM stereo with English intertitles), and an excerpt from Call of the Cuckoo, a Laurel and Hardy short that features Charley Chase in an uncredited role (3 minutes 45 seconds, LPCM stereo with English intertitles).

Summary:

There Ain't No Santa Claus: Charley Chase portrays a father who is short on cash during Christmas time. Instead of paying rent, he buys a tree and presents for his family. While all of this is unfolding, he has to deal with a hostile landlord and his mischievous son, who makes it look like it's snowing. Besides this conflict, other humor comes from a subplot revolving around a watch Charley bought for his wife. Everything culminates with a twist ending that provides one final joke.

Many Scrappy Returns: Charley Chase portrays a man in a harmonious marriage, while his character's brother is in a marriage where they are always at odds with each other. Things come to a head when Charley’s character gets into a fight with his wife. This one has a lot of sight gags; Charley chasing a hat down the street and characters going room to room like a game of musical chairs.

Are Brunettes Safe?: Charley Chase portrays a newspaper man who writes an advice column. Unknown to him, he has a look-alike, a man named Bud Martin, a hellraiser recently released from prison. Everything comes to a head with an all-out brawl.

A One Mama Man: Charley Chase portrays a count on a cruise ship, and once again he has a look-alike who's hired a stand-in for the other. Besides trying to conceal his identity, a major source of humor comes from a character who goes into a trance whenever they hear bells.

Forgotten Sweeties: Charley Chase portrays an absent-minded husband whose wife becomes jealous when an old lover moves in next door. His absent-mindedness is the source of all of the humor as he goes into the wrong home and struggles to do everyday tasks.

Bigger and Better Blondes: Charley Chase portrays a man who is mistaken for a jewel thief. Though there is not much there in the way of narrative, it more than makes up for this with sight gags like a scene where a detective throws several matches near an explosive liquid, which ultimately goes boom. This short is notable for an early screen appearance by Jean Arthur (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington).

Fluttering Hearts: A rebellious woman who is always getting into trouble befriends a millionaire. The story is secondary, as the sight gags are what drive the narrative. There is a character that dresses in drag to get into an establishment, and in one scene Charley Chase’s character walks around with and dances with a mannequin. A notable cast member is Oliver Hardy; he portrays a man behind a blackmail scheme.

What Women Did for Me: Charley Chase portrays a newly hired professor at an all-girls school. Knowing their flirtation makes him feel uneasy, all of the girls do their best to seduce him. The humor comes from the many uncomfortable situations his character finds himself in.

The Sting of Stings: A couple celebrates their new car by taking six underprivileged kids to the carnival. They are all juvenile delinquents, and the humor comes from the trouble they cause.

The Lighter That Failed: Charley Chase portrays a man who is given a lighter for his birthday. Only one problem is that he can't get the lighter to work. The humor comes from the ridiculous lengths he goes to trying to get the lighter to work, with everything culminating in a fire.

Now I'll Tell One: A husband and wife are in a divorce court to end their marriage. The narrative alternates between the courtroom and flashbacks from their tumultuous marriage. Only the second reel of this short film exists, and text info fills in information about the first reel. Notable cast members are Oliver Hardy, who portrays a policeman, and Stan Laurel, who portrays a lawyer.

The Way of All Pants: Charley Chase portrays a man delivering a pair of pants, and before he completes the job, he loses his pair of pants. While he’s looking for his missing pants, the husband comes home, and the comedy ensues.

Us: Charley Chase portrays a man with a fear of flying. While he’s trying to overcome his fear, he meets a woman, and wanting to impress her, he pretends to be an aviator.

Assistant Wives: Charley Chase portrays a man who wants a raise. When put on the spot by his boss to meet his wife, his character has another woman play the part. His character tries to pull off the deception while keeping his wife in the dark, and what unfolds is the source of the comedy.

Never the Dames Shall Meet: All that remains of this short film is 5 ½ minutes of footage; text information and stills fill in what is missing. Charley Chase portrays a man who goes to pick up his wife's sister from a steamship, and instead he ends up with the wrong woman.

Charley Chase at Hal Roach: The Late Silents is a must-have purchase for fans of silent comedy films, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer