WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 26 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, Audra Lindley, Frank McRae, M. Emmet Walsh & Narrated By John Huston

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 2.5
Sound Rating: 2.5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): MGM
(Catalog Number): ML100143
(MPAA Rating): PG
(Retail Price): $49.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 120
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1982
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):

Credits Information
(Director): David S. Ward
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
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DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Featuring the narration of John Huston, John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row is a sparkling tale of warmth, humor and humanity based on the author’s books, “Cannery Row” and “Sweet Thursday.” Nick Nolte stars as Doc, an eccentric, well-known ex-baseball player, now marine biologist leading a quiet life in a seedy California fish canning town. When Suzy (Debra Winger), an independent young drifter, comes to Cannery Row, she lands a job selling her charms while starving for self-esteem. When the unlikely pair meet, they are drawn to each other in a romance they both know can’t work—but still can’t avoid. John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row is David S. Ward’s directorial debut and features fantastic set design by Richard MacDonald.

LaserDisc Picture:
The picture, matted at 1.85:1, exhibits undersaturated color fidelity, but with generally accurate fleshtones. Images look enhanced and are wanting in sharpness and detail—offering very soft focus photography. Shadow detail is good and there is distracting noise and artifacts apparent throughout.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished and compressed monaural.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: