Clint Eastwood made his directorial debut in 1971 with Play Misty for Me. Shot in just twenty-one days, Eastwood stars as Dave Garber, a popular late night disc jockey for a small station in Caramel, California. One night, a regular female caller requests that he, “Play Misty for me.” Later, he meets the woman at a bar he goes to often, then they go back to her house and make love. He leaves the next morning considering the dalliance nothing more than a one-night stand. When he gets home, Dave is surprised to find the woman Evelyn Draper (Jessica Walter) with a bag of groceries and determined to cook them dinner and make herself at home. It soon becomes clear that Evelyn isn’t obsessed with “Misty,” but consumed with Dave.
Dave, trying to salvage his relationship with The One That Got Away (Donna Mills) wants nothing more than Evelyn to disappear, but she has other ideas. Jessica Walter is utterly convincing as a spurned, psycho lover. She combines just the right amount of beauty, charm and menace. Walter had a long and successful career, but this must be among her best performances. Evelyn’s bursts of psychotic anger are truly scary.
The supporting cast includes John Larch (Sergeant McCallum), Jack Ging (Frank), Irene Hervey (Madge), James McEachin (Al Monte), Clarice Taylor (Birdie), Don Siegel (Murphy). A real edge-of-your-seat thriller, Play Misty for Me remains creepy more than fifty years after its release. Clint Eastwood shows an adeptness behind the camera that would make him the respected, Oscar winning director he is today.
Kino’s brand new HDR/Dolby Vision master from a 4K Scan of the 35mm original camera negative highlights the beauty of the filming location, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. I’ve never been there, but Carmel is now on my bucket list. A notable upgrade from Kino’s solid 2020 Blu-ray release, colors are richer throughout. A nice level of grain has given things a more filmic appearance, and details are strong. Contrast isn’t always as strong as it could be, but I suspect that’s due to the limitations of the filming process in 1970. Scratches and other anomalies aren’t an issue. The film is framed in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
While the lossless 2.0 audio has obvious limitations, the 5.1 Surround audio is a wonderful mix to my ears, boasting clean dialogue with no hisses or pops. From the Erroll Garner title song “Misty” to the terrific score by Dee Barton, this track fits the film very well.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
4K Blu-ray:
- NEW! Audio Commentary by Screenwriter/Producer Alan Spencer
- Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
Blu-ray Disc:
- Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
- Misty Memories: Interview with Co-Star Donna Mills
- Video Essay by Film Historian Howard S. Berger
- Play It Again… A Look Back at Play Misty for Me: Documentary
- The Beguiled, Misty, Don and Clint: Featurette
- TRAILERS FROM HELL with Adam Rifkin
- Stills Montage
- Clint Eastwood Directs and Acts: Photo Montage
- The Evolution of a Poster: Photo Montage
- TV Spots
- Theatrical Trailer and Teaser
