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| Dvdivas
was founded by John Gabbard in 2000. It's purpose has been and
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the latest dvds and movie reviews. It will continue to be your
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“Lady
in Cement“
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Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Mystery/thriller
|
| Video: |
2.35:1 Anamorphic
widescreen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English,
Spanish, French |
| Subtitles |
English,
Spanish |
| Length |
93 minutes
|
| Rating |
PG |
| Release Date |
5/24/05
|
| Studio |
20th Century
Fox Entertainment |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Theatrical trailer, Spanish
trailer, 2 TV spots, “Mother, Jugs & Speed”, “Fantastic Voyage”,
“Fathom”, “Myra Breckinridge”, “Banderlo!”, “One Million Years
B.C.” |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Frank Sinatra,
Raquel Welch, Richard Conte, Martin Gabel, Lainie Kazan, Pat
Henry, Dan Blocker |
| Written
By: |
Marvin H.
Albert and Jack Guss based on Albert’s novel |
| Produced
By: |
Aaron Rosenberg
|
| Directed
By: |
Gordon Douglas
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| Music:
|
Hugo Montenegro
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| The
Review: |
Diving for
pleasure can reveal the unsavory side of the ocean such as
a nude dead blond anchored by cement. As P.I. Tony Rome (Frank
Sinatra) discovers in the popular 1968 sequel to “Tony Rome”,
even the ocean is touched by the nasty part of humanity. Shortly
after the discovery of the body, Rome is hired by a man named
Gronsky (Dan Blocker who is in a typical bit of humor watching
an episode of “Bonanza in one sequel) to find another missing
blond. Is there a connection? Rome needs to support his gambling
habit and pay off his bookie so he takes the job. ***
This film
played all the time (or so it seemed) on ABC during the 70’s.
At the time I never understood the appeal this film had for
my dad and his generation but, in retrospect, I find the appeal
of Sinatra’s cynical hardboiled detective growing. Perhaps
I’m becoming my dad. More than likely I’ve just grown into
someone who can appreciate sharp humor, smart assed comments
and a good deal of cynicism. Extremely well made, I’m surprised
that Sinatra didn’t continue with the Rome character in other
films as it fit his Rat Pack persona like a tight leather
glove. The Rome films are a healthy antidote to the classy
James Bond films of the 60’s (much like the witty “In Lke
Flint” also directed by “Cements” Gordon Douglas). Sure it’s
dated but its well made enough to still be entertaining. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
“Lady in
Cement” looks exceptionally good with deep, rich blacks, nice
color reproductions (right down to Rome’s car with its rusty
exterior). The sharp images and crisp clear dialog makes this,
hands down, the best of the trio of Sinatra films released by
Fox involving Sinatra’s hardboiled persona. The stereo soundtrack
sounds surprisingly spry (in fact better than “The Detective”
and comparable to “Tony Rome”) due to the high standards an
professionalism of the Hollywood vets that worked on this film.
There’s very little in the way of analog imperfections tomar
this nice print. --- |
| The
Extras: |
A
bit more in the way extras this time although, again, they
are limited to trailers. We get the theatrical trailer for
“Lady in Cement” as well as the TV spots and Spanish trailer.
We also get a collection of Raquel Welch trailers including
one for the “Flint” like (and unintentionally funny) “Fathom”
where Welch plays a sky diver recruited to retrieve a nuclear
device by a CIA like organization. It seems they want her
to dive in and steal the device. Why am I telling you the
plot? Because you have to see the trailer to realize how inane
this film is. Honestly. It might have been interesting to
have a featurette on the making of “Cement” and the popularity
of the character at the time or even some vintae interviews
with Sinatra. ---
|
| Commentary:
|
No commentary
track. Too bad I’m sure it could have been lots of fun since
this film has its fair share of nudity, strippers, murders,
transvestites and nasty folks. --- |
| Final
Words: |
A fun 60’s
romp, “Lady in Cement” looks exceptionally good in this transfer
from Fox. A nice addition to the recent slew of Sinatra DVDs.
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