Natascha, a White Russian countess, stows away on a luxury liner at Hong Kong, determined to seek a new life in America. Natascha hides in the cabin of Ogden Mears, a millionaire diplomat, ... See full summary »
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A successful businessman goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad died with his mistress of long standing.
While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard "Baby."
Director:
Howard Hawks
Stars:
Katharine Hepburn,
Cary Grant,
Charles Ruggles
A dentist pretends to be married to avoid commitment, but when he falls for his girlfriend and proposes, he must recruit his lovelorn nurse to pose as his wife.
Director:
Gene Saks
Stars:
Walter Matthau,
Ingrid Bergman,
Goldie Hawn
Natascha, a White Russian countess, stows away on a luxury liner at Hong Kong, determined to seek a new life in America. Natascha hides in the cabin of Ogden Mears, a millionaire diplomat, thereby causing an endless stream of misunderstandings and complications; particularly when his wife, Martha, joins the trip at Honolulu, necessitating a 'marriage' to Ogden's valet, Hudson, a saronged-dive overboard and more subterfuge on the part of Ogdon and his associate, Harvey. Written by
alfiehitchie & tipsyheadrinse
The film was shortened by approximately 15 minutes since its premiere. In an interview, Charles Chaplin said he felt the shortened version (which is the version currently available on home video and DVD) almost did not feel like his film and that he preferred the longer one. See more »
Goofs
Toward the end of the film Ogden, Natascha, Harvey and Martha sit around a restaurant table. Ogden and Natascha sit with their backs to the camera and very far from each other so they won't obscure Harvey and Martha at the other side of the table. When they get up to dance, the camera cuts to a close up of Ogden and Natascha which are suddenly almost touching shoulders. See more »
When it was announced that Chaplin was to direct a new film, naturally expectations were sky high. The casting of Brando and Loren further boosted these expectations. To call the final result disappointing is to be kind.
While "A Countess from Hong Kong" does have an antiquated charm about it, it remains an unsightly blemish on Chaplin's career as well as Brando's. Having been away from making movies for a number of years, the ageing Chaplin had lost touch with the media. There's precious little in this film that remotely recalls his genius. It's only the old fashioned and overdone musical score that recall the Chaplin of times gone by.
Those who remark on Brando being miscast in the role insinuate that he was incapable of playing light comedy which simply is not the case. ("Bedtime Story" being a case in point). He simply turns in a very poor performance. He seems remote from his character and from the whole project as a whole.
The real surprise is Sophia Loren. Despite the mediocre material and a wooden acting partner, she is on top form proving to be a terrific comedienne as well as touching in the tender moments. Combine that with her stunning looks and you have the only reason to possibly want to give this one another look.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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When it was announced that Chaplin was to direct a new film, naturally expectations were sky high. The casting of Brando and Loren further boosted these expectations. To call the final result disappointing is to be kind.
While "A Countess from Hong Kong" does have an antiquated charm about it, it remains an unsightly blemish on Chaplin's career as well as Brando's. Having been away from making movies for a number of years, the ageing Chaplin had lost touch with the media. There's precious little in this film that remotely recalls his genius. It's only the old fashioned and overdone musical score that recall the Chaplin of times gone by.
Those who remark on Brando being miscast in the role insinuate that he was incapable of playing light comedy which simply is not the case. ("Bedtime Story" being a case in point). He simply turns in a very poor performance. He seems remote from his character and from the whole project as a whole.
The real surprise is Sophia Loren. Despite the mediocre material and a wooden acting partner, she is on top form proving to be a terrific comedienne as well as touching in the tender moments. Combine that with her stunning looks and you have the only reason to possibly want to give this one another look.