Reviews
A Royal Scandal (1945)
Talullah in a hidden gem
I saw this movie over 30 years ago on late night television. I was expecting a dry costume drama, but ended up laughing my head off at one of the classiest comedies I have ever seen. And unfortunately that was it. I have never seen it again, on TV or on video. In fact I don't think it has ever been released on video. Talullah's film appearances were few, and this showed her at her forte, comedy.
Granted, she was also one of the great dramatic actresses of her day (her performance in The Little Foxes on Broadway is considered to be one of the finest of the 20th century), but more marketable actresses always won out over her in Hollywood (she never forgave Bette Davis for stealing the Foxes role from her).
When can a larger audience expect to see this comic gem? (and when can I find out if my childhood memories can stand up to my adult tastes?)
The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)
Lush and lovely, but ultimately a cheat
When first I saw this film, I felt that I had missed a detail by the end of the story. I rented it again a few years later and had the same feeling. By chance I met the costume designer a while back. She informed me that Greenaway edited out a pivotal scene towards the end of the movie, which filled in the gap in the plot.
Aside from this egregious edit, this is a lush and sumptuous film, one of Greenaway's best. A puzzle with a few pieces missing, but quite a lovely picture when (almost) completed.
The Court Jester (1955)
One of the slickest and funniest movies to be found.
Whether you are a fan of Danny Kaye or not (and many find him overbearing), you'll be hard pressed to dismiss this film. Every detail falls into such perfect place that you wonder how the cast (and it is a marvelous one) could have done it without months of rehearsal or a Broadway run. The knighting ceremony, the fencing, and of course---the piece de resistance---the famous "pellet with the poison" scene, are all worth the price of admission. But the performances of the rest of the cast are also first rate. And it is visually a stunner too. All around this is a movie worth seeing again and again. Get it? Got It. Good!
Les uns et les autres (1981)
Best seen in original version
I saw this film when it first came out in Paris. It was a great experience! An epic sweep, not unlike *Gone With the Wind* or *Children of Paradise*. But the American release, titled *Bolero*, had about 20-30 minutes cut from it and it was a disjointed mess. Small wonder it bombed here. The video release is of the American version. If at all possible, try to see the original, 3 hour release.
Les enfants du paradis (1945)
Great movie-making and great story-telling
One of the most all-round great films...ever! Much is made of the mime sequences, but the intimate moments are equally impressive in their ability to touch the audience's hearts...and minds. An image I will never forget is the final one, of Baptiste drowning in a sea of clowns. Pure visual poetry. The whole meaning of his character is distilled in that single image. And the film is full of such touches. A simply brilliant film.
The Hathaways (1961)
A forgotten gem of TV's slightly tarnished age
I had totally forgotten this show which I used to watch as a child until word of Peggy Cass's death a few days ago made me think of it again. I remember the enjoyment of seeing the Marquis Chimps do their thing weekly, but wonder how hard it must have been for Ms. Cass and Mr. Weston to film with notorious upstagers each week!
Legend (1985)
Yeah but which version?
It makes a major difference whether you see the American or European release. The Euro release has about 20 more minutes of action and a totally different score. By all means, check out the Euro (if at all available, that is)...vastly superior.