DVD Corner

Nora Prentiss Blu-ray Review

“Nora Prentiss” is a curious film noir. 

Based on a story by Paul Webster and Jack Sobell and written by N. Richard Nash, 1947’s “Nora Prentiss” is a cross between a film noir, a melodrama, and a character study. Set in San Francisco, the story revolves around Dr. Richard Talbot- a married physician with 2 children. After saving a woman in an accident (the titular nightclub singer Nora Prentiss), he becomes rather smitten with her. His world essentially becomes turned upside down by her and he proceeds to have an affair with her. Trying to find a way to be with her, he concocts a wild plan that involves faking his own death in a fiery car crash to run away with Nora. Nora, however, doesn’t know that he faked his own death. Will Talbot’s lie and plot blow up in his face? 

Directed by Vincent Sherman, “Nora Prentiss” is a rather unusual film noir. Sure, it has many earmarks of the genre with a femme fatale (of sorts), moody B&W cinematography (beautifully done by James Wong Howe), voice over narration, and crime elements, but it’s also more of a tragic and heartbreaking story of a doomed love affair. Both Richard and Nora are seemingly ordinary people. They aren’t criminals or villains. They are two people who meet through an accident. Richard finds that his romance with Nora opens up and changes his world, but the relationship turns unhealthy when he loses his grip and spirals out of control towards an ironic and sad ending. You feel for these characters.

Although there are other cast members, this is very much Ann Sheridan and Kent Smith’s movie. Sheridan gives an alluring and heartfelt performance as Nora. Smith is quite convincing as a physician whose life implodes. He does a fine job in showcasing the character’s downfall.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? This is a Warner Archive title so you can fully expect another first rate restoration of this B&W film. 

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? From the dialogue to the music, this is a clean Mono track.

Extras include original theatrical trailer, “The Big Snooze” cartoon and short film titled “So You Think You’re A Nervous Wreck.”

December 27, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Ann Sheridan, Film Noir, Nora Prentiss Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive