Joshua Reviews Shout Factory’s The Inspector General [DVD Review]

Buster Keaton.   Charlie Chaplin.   The Marx Brothers.   These are just some of the names that people think of when they are asked who they deem as some of the greatest comedians of the silver screen.   However, one name that is rare amongst these lists is Danny Kaye.

With an IMDb credit list naming 33 titles, Kaye had a decade spanning career, running from 1935 until 1986, and including some brilliant pictures like The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, and the film he may be best known for, White Christmas.   And Shout Factory is attempting to make Kaye a name that is put back into the conversation, with a new release of Kaye’s beloved satire, The Inspector General.

A 1949 musical, the film follows the story of a man who becomes mistaken for the Inspector General, after wandering into a town.   With a hit put out on his head, Kaye’s Georgi attempts to survive the Mayor and his cronies’ attempt at taking him out.   The film also finds its inspiration in a Nikolai Gogol play, and is one of Kaye’s truest classics.

Any conversation of this film starts and stops with Kaye and his uproarious performance.   A showman of the highest regard, he proves throughout this film that not only is he able to make the viewer laugh their tails off, but also has the range to make them tug at their heartstrings as well.   Kaye is absolutely revelatory here, giving a performance that is so enthralling, it makes this otherwise cliché-ridden picture something of a hidden comedic gem.   Gene Lockhart steals the show as The Mayor, as do actors Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates and Elsa Lanchester.   Each of them give really entertaining performances, proving that while this film may not ooze intellectual intrigue, the film is still impossible to turn away from.

Henry Koster’s direction is equally as good.   He takes this, as mentioned above, cliché filled narrative of mistaken identities, and turns it into a real wonder.   Each musical set piece is staged and shot with a distinct sense of style, particularly one beat during a party in which Kaye’s lead sparks a gypsy sing-a-long, that you really wish the film had more musical moments.   The film’s Technicolor cinematography looks wonderful here, as it makes the most of the lavish costumes and Kaye’s equally colorful performance.   For a film so full of life, the filmmaking is equally vibrant and cartoonishly entertaining.

And for a single disc DVD release, this thing is fantastic.   Including a really great, if all too brief, bit of colored home video footage (clocking in at just 17 minutes), the footage also includes commentary from Koster’s (who shot it) son, Robert, making it one hell of a gem of a supplement.   Finally, Kaye’s hilarious 1938 short, Money On Your Life, is included here with this release, accompanied by a commentary from historian Bruce Lawton.   The short is a fantastic companion piece to its feature film partner, giving this release a shocking amount of depth.   Again, the supplements are a bit too short, and a feature commentary is really missed here, but as far as a DVD release of a lesser known comedian’s work, this thing is one of the best you’ll see.

Overall, this release is a must own for anyone who either wants to learn more about Kaye’s work, or just wants to be introduced to a canon that frankly, is under-looked.   A perfect launching point for those looking to be introduced to Kaye’s filmography, the release is dense, entertaining, and visually striking.   Simply put, this is a must own for fans or novices alike.