‘Wife Versus Secretary’ Blu-Ray Review – A Charming Comedy Of Jealousy & Carelessness

Though magazine publisher Van Stanhope (Clark Gable) and his wife, Linda (Myrna Loy), are contentedly married, Van’s meddling mother (May Robson) doesn’t trust his attractive young secretary, Helen “Whitey” Wilson (Jean Harlow). When Whitey helps Van undertake a top-secret plan to purchase a potentially profitable magazine from under the nose of a rival publisher, causing the pair to work long hours alone together, Linda’s sudden jealousy almost scuttles both the deal and their marriage.

For thoughts on Wife Versus Secretary, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic: 

[youtube https://youtu.be/GklBQOIHPaE?t=3405]

Video Quality

Warner Archive presents Wife Versus Secretary for the first time on Blu-Ray with 1080p transfer sourced from a 4K scan of the Safety Preservation Fine Grain Master positive made from the now-nonexistent Nitrate Camera Negative in the mid-1960s. You can always count on Warner Archive to deliver the highest caliber of quality possible, and the image is just as sumptuous as you hope for with a film that is over 85 years old. This black and white feature has nice, well resolved natural film grain that provides a great amount of detail to the image with elements of the production design in Van’s office standing out. 

The presentation has a pleasing amount of depth to it including in the shadows where there is no trace of any black crush. Print damage is pretty much nonexistent throughout the duration of the movie. This disc also lacks anything in the realm of digital anomalies such as sharpening or compression artifacts. The only minor deficiencies appear to be the slightest bit of softness in a few shots that likely correspond with lacking film elements. Warner Archive has put their best foot forward here with a top tier release 

Audio Quality

This Blu-Ray release comes with a restored DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track from the preservation optical track positive that sounds quite wonderful. Clark Gable has a distinct vocal style that always comes through crystal clear. None of the sound effects or the playful score from Herbert Stothart ever overpowers the dialogue on this release. The more bustling sequences such as parties with numerous guests are appropriately lively in the speakers. There does not appear to be any damage and only a minimal amount of age related wear and strain present on the track. Overall, this is an excellent audio presentation that gives the material vivid life. There are optional English (SDH) subtitles available on the disc for those who need it.

Special Features

• The Public Pays: A nearly 19-minute Crime Does Not Pay live-action short which dramatizes the protection racket forced upon a milk distributor and the efforts to take the criminals down by the police. 

• Theatrical Trailer: A  nearly three-minute trailer is provided here. 

Final Thoughts

Wife Versus Secretary is a buoyant comedy that uses insecurity and outward influences to make comedy out of jealousy. The chemistry between Clark Gable and Myrna Loy is what makes this movie sing, as you would grow exasperated with his oblivious carelessness if you didn’t know he is madly in love with his wife. There are a couple of unnecessary plot contrivances, but for the most part this story feels very honest and well considered. Warner Archive has released a Blu-Ray that features a terrific A/V presentation and a couple of decent special features. Fans of the performers should buy with confidence, as this is a charmer. Recommended 

Wife Versus Secretary can be purchased directly through the Warner Archive Amazon Store, 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.