The get-up in New York’s get-up-and-go comes from the switchboard operators of Susanswerphone. Need a wakeup call? Your appointments? Encouragement from “Mom”? A racetrack bet? It all comes from that dutiful nerve – or noive – center that keeps enterprises enterprising and, maybe, wedding bells ringing. Judy Holliday reprises her Tony-winning Broadway role of irrepressible switchboard girl Ella in a jubilant adaptation that marked her final movie and the final teaming of movie-musical titans Arthur Freed and Vincente Minnelli. Dean Martin costars as a struggling playwright in for a surprise when he learns “Mom’s” identity. The sparkling Jule Styne/Betty Comden/ Adolph Green score includes Holliday’s heartfelt “The Party’s Over” and the jolly Holliday/Martin duet “Just in Time.” You’ve dialed the right number, musical fans!

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Video Quality

Warner Archive brought Bells Are Ringing to Blu-Ray with a first-rate 1080p master transfer in 2.40:1 when it was released in 2017 sourced from a 2K scan of the Interpositive. Warner Archive always makes the most out of Cinemascope elements, and this transfer unleashes dazzling colors within the costumes and ‘60s production design that beam off the screen. Highlights stay crisp throughout and black levels are deep and stable. The film is immaculate with no exceptional instances of damage or dirt detected here. Compression artifacts, banding, and other such issues do not come forth as an issue in this transfer. In every setting you are treated to great detail and clarity. The natural film grain has been retained which allows the picture to fully come to life. Warner Archive put its best foot forward with this one.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray comes with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio stereo track that holds up every bit as well as the video side of things. There is no observable age-related wear and tear to the track such as hissing, dropouts, or popping. Dialogue comes through clearly with no sounds overwhelming the rapid-fire exchanges. The more exciting moments are handled well and give the track a bit of dynamism. The score holds up with impeccable fidelity even in the upper registers. Dialogue and background noises remain in harmony along with the whimsical score from Jule Styne. Warner Archive has provided a disc that delivers on all fronts. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included for the feature film.

Special Features

Bells Are Ringing – Just In Time Featurette: An 11-minute featurette from 2005 with various creative figures discussing stories from the development of the stage play, the production of the film, the talent on screen, and more insights into the studio system.

Outtakes: An array of material that did not make the final film is provided.

- Is It Crime? (5:44)

- The Midas Touch Alternate Take (4:14)

- My Guiding Star (1:56)

Fort Lauderdale – Scene of the World Premiere: A minute-long black-and-white glimpse of the premiere.

Theatrical Trailer (3:01)

Song Selection

Final Thoughts

Bells Are Ringing is the type of old-fashioned romantic comedy that puts us at ease even when we can see some of the more dated elements. The lighthearted repartee is a blast, especially as delivered by the vivacious Judy Holliday. The Dean Martin side of the equation is a bit less enchanting to us, but Holliday brings enough charisma for the both of them. The movie can get quite convoluted plot-wise, but that never compromises the fun. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation and some worthwhile special features. If you are a fan of the talent involved or the genre at large, this is a good addition to your collection. Recommended

Bells Are Ringing can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Warner Archive has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.