Flesh and Fantasy (1943)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Julien Duvivier

Writers:

Ellis St. Joseph (story) (segment 1)
Oscar Wilde (story) (segment 2)

Release Date:

29 October 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An anthology of three loosely connected occult tales, with ironic and romantic twists.

Plot Keywords:

Mask | Occult | Anthology | Episodic Structure | Omnibus

Cast

Edward G. Robinson	...	Marshall Tyler (Episode 2)
Charles Boyer	...	Paul Gaspar (Episode 3)
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Joan Stanley aka Miss Templeton (Episode 3)
Betty Field	...	Henrietta (Episode 1)
Robert Cummings	...	Michael (Episode 1)
Thomas Mitchell	...	Septimus Podgers (Episode 2)
Charles Winninger	...	King Lamarr (Episode 3)
Anna Lee	...	Rowena (Episode 2)
Dame May Whitty	...	Lady Pamela Hardwick (Episode 2)
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Dean of Chichester (Episode 2)
Robert Benchley	...	Doakes (framing story)
Edgar Barrier	...	Stranger in Mask Shop (Episode 1)
David Hoffman	...	Davis (framing story)

Also Known As:

Six Destinies

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #9316)

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

A fourth story was filmed but was cut from the final print; it was to open the film and the discovery of the drowned body was to link it to the mask story. The cut footage was expanded into a feature film, 1944's DESTINY.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Suspicion: Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (#1.15)" (1958)

Very good

Doakes (Robert Benchley) is read 3 stories to help in his decision as to whether or not to believe in fate or dreams.

In the first story, its "Mardi Gras" and everyone is wearing masks and costumes. Henrietta (Betty Field), is depressed as she is ugly and is about to drown herself when a stranger (Edgar Barrier) appears. He leads her to a mask shop and tells her to pick a mask and join the festivities on condition that she return at midnight. She goes out and meets with Michael (Robert Cummings) who she has loved from afar for a considerable time. Wearing her mask, she enjoys a few hours with him before returning to the mask shop at midnight. However, Michael has followed her......

In the second story, a palmist (Thomas Mitchell) is predicting events with astonishing accuracy at a soirée at the house of Lady Pamela (May Witty). Marshall (Edward G Robinson) sees that the palmist is not being honest with him and goes to his house to insist that he tells him the truth about what he can see. He warns Marshall that he will kill someone. The rest of the tale is played out with Marshall struggling with his conscience as he picks victims to kill.....

In the third story, a tightrope-walker (Charles Boyer) has a dream that during his act he falls from the wire while staring at a woman (Barbara Stanwyck) that he has never met. The dream prompts him to cancel the dangerous part of his act. On his way over to America he meets the woman on the boat and they fall in love. He asks her to attend his next show which she does. What happens....?...........

It is well-acted and I liked the first 2 stories in particular. The only dodgy part to the 1st tale is in believing that Henrietta is ugly - she just isn't! In the 2nd tale, Edward G Robinson is very good as he reconciles himself to his fate and delivers some funny lines along the way. There is also good support from the Dean (C Aubrey Smith). The 3rd story develops at a slower pace than the previous two and has an ambiguous ending.....

Its a film that you remember once it has finished.