April Love on some levels is a product of its time though with movies like Endless Love and any number of Nicholas Sparks’ adaptations, you take out the musical moments the story is more or less similar from the romantic and melodramatic scenes. That said, it’s not an altogether bad movie though not sure what kind of replay value it has, but Pat Boone and Shirley Jones share good chemistry.
April Love
(1957)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Romance, Drama, Musical
Twilight Time | NR – 99 min. – $29.95 | April 14, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Henry Levin Writer(s): George Agnew Chamberlain (novel); Winston Miller (screenplay) Cast: Pat Boone, Shirley Jones, Dolores Michaels, Arthur O’Connell, Matt Crowley, Jeanette Nolan, Brad Jackson DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1) |
** Click Here to Purchase April Love on Blu-ray from Screen Archives **
THE MOVIE
April Love, a popular, echt-1950s musical melodrama, stars the squeaky-clean duo of Pat Boone and Shirley Jones as a repentant juvenile delinquent and the country girl who helps him to go straight — with a little assistance from a spirited trotting horse. Shot in the Kentucky Bluegrass country, the film is particularly noted for its Oscar-nominated title tune.
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.25/5
This comes with a 6-page essay booklet. However, features-wise, we only get an Audio Commentary with actress Shirley Jones and Film Historian Nick Redman and the Theatrical Trailer (2:32; HD). The commentary at least is informative getting the rare perspective from one of the actors.
VIDEO – 4.5/5
April Love rides onto Blu-ray through Twilight Time presented in its original 2.35 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer (AVC codec). The picture quality is well done with decent colors, albeit some scenes are a bit drab versus others, while detail levels are sharp and well defined. The transfer itself is clean, free of artifacts, dust marks and dirt. Skin tones also appear to be well balanced and move more towards the warmer side.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is good though nothing outstanding. The bulk of the track, including the musical numbers, is relegated to the center channel with some ambient noises used for the front, especially, and rear speakers. Still, even though it’s not the most dynamic lossless track, it’s still well done with no discernible pops or crackles.
OVERALL – 3.5/5
Overall, April Love on some levels is a product of its time though with movies like Endless Love and any number of Nicholas Sparks’ adaptations, you take out the musical moments the story is more or less similar from the romantic and melodramatic scenes. That said, it’s not an altogether bad movie though not sure what kind of replay value it has, but Pat Boone and Shirley Jones share good chemistry. This Twilight Time Blu-ray release is limited in bonus material but the video and audio transfers are both well done.
Published: 04/29/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.