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Reviews
Professional Sweetheart (1933)
SAUCY
This is a very early film in the career of Ginger Rogers. It is somewhat saucy and always goofy. It portays people in radio show business and the press that covers it as both overly ambitious and naive. There are several character actors such as Zazu Pitts that are totally hilarious. The plot is basicly girl wants fun and freedom rather than fame, and boy wants girl. After several very funny misadventures they both get what they want and each other. Sexuality is very frank in this movie even though the characters are very innocent. For the naughty in us there is even a spanking scene. Ginger Roger's voice is dubbed in a couple of songs because the producers did not think she was good enough. A very funny film worth repeated viewings. It can be seen occaisionly on the Turner Movie Channel. In the final scene there is a reference to television long before it would become available as if it was just around the corner.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
LAME PLOT. GREAT TECHNOLOGY
The story of aliens devastating the earth and brave humans holding them off has been done many times. This would be okay if there was some originality in the characters or their methods. However, this is a straight combination military/scientific story with no new ideas. The only complication is the usual gungho military leader who tries to save the world with his own "force saves all" method. The CG imagery is indeed beautiful and a definite advancement over anything done before. I did notice that the lip synch appeared to be slightly off at times with mouths continuing to move after the voice had ceased. There were a few "jokes" that occasionally drew a mild chuckle. Bottom line, the most important part of any story is how well it is told, and this movie fails to deliver.
Love Potion No. 9 (1992)
From ugly duckling to swan.
I had seen "Love Potion Number 9" many years ago and after Ms. Bullock's recent movie, "Miss Congeniality", I realized in both movies she goes from ugly duckling to swan. For me, it works in both movies. In fact "Love Potion Number 9 was the first movie I had seen her in. I am a big fan of both movies. Please note that they are comedies, not artsy message movies. Both movies are essentially silly, with some physical humor. Most importantly, they made me laugh, and I certainly enjoy watching the very gorgeous Ms. Bullock.
Fifth Avenue Girl (1939)
A funny, timeless thinking person's movie.
The first time I watched this movie, I thought it was just okay. The second time it was pretty good, and after the third time it was very good. The story has so many setup concepts that it is easy to miss them the first few times one watches it. Gregory La Cava is one of the all time great directors. La Cava is probably one of the few directors to shoot movies in the sequence of the story rather than in planned location setups. It cost the studio more money, but it enabled the cast to give better performances, as it seemed to them they were doing a play instead of a movie. The comments in the movie about communism, capitalism, sexual mores, factory workers and almost any other facet of society are timeless. We all have the same problems and feelings now and probably will in the next century. And along with all the "thinking" the movie is very funny and has a lot of low key but erotic sexual tension. P.S. The movies of "A Star is Born," were based somewhat on La Cava's life. The very first version of "A Star is Born," was called "What Price Hollywood."
Bachelor Mother (1939)
Funniest movie I've ever seen!
Ginger Rogers (my favorite actress of all time) and David Niven team up in Garson Kanin's superbly, cleverly directed film. The entire supporting cast is terrific. The look of smug know-it-all on the foundling homes character's faces when they are sure that Polly Parrish is the mother of the orphaned baby is perfect and incredibly funny. From opening store-front scene to Polly's last "Ha Ha", it's completely hilarious. P.S. The film's continuity is pretty bad. If you watch the various cuts within the scenes, there are frequent mismatches. Two examples: A scene with Charles Coburn smoking a cigar shows him alternately with the cigar in his mouth or in his hand from cut to cut. The scene when the baby is found on the steps of the foundling home has a closeup which shows a door and blanket, and hand position which don't exist in the wider shot before and after the cut. No matter. Most people won't notice the poor editing, they will be too occupied laughing.
The Meanest Gal in Town (1934)
Extremely funny and very clever. Great cast.
Pert Kelton bowled me over with her very sexy portrayal which allowed her to manipulate the male characters. The very wry Zazu Pitt and the apparently naive but winning El Brendel along with the wise cracking James Gleasen and the traveling salesman character all were very funny and cleverly written. The script had many very pointed comments on the indomitable spirt and frailty of the human character. I have watched the movie many times and always see some different bit that I hadn't noticed before. Obviously, this was a low budget programmer in its day, but a far better movie than most megabudget movies of today.