Letty Lynton Blu-ray Review
A lost film sees the light of day at long last.
Based on the novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes and adapted for the screen by Wanda Tuchock, “Letty Lynton” is a 1932 drama about a socialite (Letty Lynton). The story begins in South America in the 1930s where Letty is trying to escape a lover (Emile). To say their relationship is toxic is an understatement. She manages to sneak away on a steamship to return home to New York. While on board, she meets a rich heir (Jerry) and the two fall for one another. It seems the two are destined to marry. Unfortunately, that romantic joy is shattered when Letty arrives in New York and finds that Emile is there waiting for her. Can Letty break free of Emile and find happiness with Jerry? Will the circumstances take a dark turn? All is revealed in the end.
If you’ve never heard of “Letty Lynton” before, there’s a reason for that. The film was caught up in a 90 year legal battle. In 2025, matters were resolved and now at long last “Letty Lynton” is being released courtesy of Warner Archive.
For the classic film buffs out there, watching “Letty Lynton” for the first time feels like uncovering a lost gem. The Clarence Brown directed pre-Code film certainly wouldn’t have existed in the Code era (with reasons that will become apparent when you see it). It’s an actor’s movie with drama, a love triangle, an exploration of toxic relationships, and even a crime. It’s not a particularly surprising film, but it’s the type of movie that is so well written, acted, and made across the board. It’s a good old fashioned no frills Hollywood movie that focuses on the aspects that matter most.
On the subject of the cast, there are 3 noteworthy performances here by Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, and Nils Asther. Between this and the award-winning “Grand Hotel,” the fashionable Crawford certainly had a banner year in 1932. She gives a strong and layered performance and you really buy into her plight. Robert Montgomery charms as Jerry while Nils Asther gives an eerie performance as the slimeball Emile.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? Warner Archive delivers an entirely respectable print of this B&W film. It may have defects to be sure, but it has been lovingly restored.
Audio Tracks: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? It’s a decent track given the film’s age, but the dialogue sounds too low and there are more than a few spots with audible hisses.
Extras:
* A whopping 5 radio shows that feature Joan Crawford. The titles include “Good News Of 1938,” “Good News Of 1939,” “A Doll’s House,” “The Train Ride,” and “None Shall Part Us.”
* “Irving Thalberg: Prince Of Hollywood”- A 74 minute TCM documentary on film producer Irving Thalberg.
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