Many contrast this movie with the more popular "The Philadelphia Story," which is understandable. That both were made the same year is even more remarkable. To me, the glaring fact is that "Susan" is the old guard trying out something "new" and "Philadelphia" was the new guard coming forth with the new era. It's too bad, but that made "Susan" look and feel dated by comparison. Yet, it is an interesting cast and love that wild and crazy them! For 1940, to focus on a religious zealot without the true heart empathy was pretty savvy and risky actually. It was too soon for folks to be in for honest examination on such matters and areas. It was very well done for that and made the point well actually. Joan has always belonged to that odd speaking, rather "put on" kind of person, socialite and all that and with the war coming on for the U.S. and things getting more serious, she was faded in that respect. But good movie -- most unfortunate timing and running mate. Reminds me of the classic, should-have-been blockbuster "The Wizard of Oz" or anything else made in 1939 with, of course, GWTW. I enjoy this movie. It's special for a number of reasons, very watchable, entertaining.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Tinny, Marked Down Knockoff
14 August 2013
These new Marples have of course deviated by varying degrees from the books, but some are still decent stories, however displeasing to Christie fans. This one fails on all counts.
This Marple is a bit too laid back and downright offensive in her know-it-all unfolding of the denouement, rendered especially absurd with the two detectives sitting slack jawed throughout. Besides, there's something especially sicky about some of her aspect in that segment. Joan Hickson gave us a character capable of expressing varied natural emotional reactions, a respectable primness which is part of her character and a sharing of her wisdom in an entirely more palatable fashion. She was set in some ways, but people of all ages were comfortable with her. This woman has a vacancy about her along with being too quirky and impersonally strange.
Most ghastly was the Inspector Melchett portrayal - a complete ass. It was downright embarrassing to watch and listen at many points. Bizarre. The Basil Blake was a blubbering sham, his "Mrs." being a poor substitute as well. The Dolly Bantry was too young and glamorous, but a better representation of a decent actress as well as doing a passable job with the flighty/sensitive mix of the character. Just too young and too effusive. The Col. Bantry character was phoned in both by script and portrayal.
The cinematography being crisper actually worked against the production in comparison with the Joan Hickson version. It only served to expose the painful deficiencies of this thoroughly gaffed production.
The Joan Hickson production just carried more depth all around. The actors in that one presented varied dimensional characters, entirely more credible and living in their types. As for the ones here - flimsy cardboard cutouts is an apt description. The young boy at the hotel might have been the best.
Really poor job done here - worst yet. It comes across as a shallow, cheap, discounted rendition.
This Marple is a bit too laid back and downright offensive in her know-it-all unfolding of the denouement, rendered especially absurd with the two detectives sitting slack jawed throughout. Besides, there's something especially sicky about some of her aspect in that segment. Joan Hickson gave us a character capable of expressing varied natural emotional reactions, a respectable primness which is part of her character and a sharing of her wisdom in an entirely more palatable fashion. She was set in some ways, but people of all ages were comfortable with her. This woman has a vacancy about her along with being too quirky and impersonally strange.
Most ghastly was the Inspector Melchett portrayal - a complete ass. It was downright embarrassing to watch and listen at many points. Bizarre. The Basil Blake was a blubbering sham, his "Mrs." being a poor substitute as well. The Dolly Bantry was too young and glamorous, but a better representation of a decent actress as well as doing a passable job with the flighty/sensitive mix of the character. Just too young and too effusive. The Col. Bantry character was phoned in both by script and portrayal.
The cinematography being crisper actually worked against the production in comparison with the Joan Hickson version. It only served to expose the painful deficiencies of this thoroughly gaffed production.
The Joan Hickson production just carried more depth all around. The actors in that one presented varied dimensional characters, entirely more credible and living in their types. As for the ones here - flimsy cardboard cutouts is an apt description. The young boy at the hotel might have been the best.
Really poor job done here - worst yet. It comes across as a shallow, cheap, discounted rendition.
Gosford Park
(2001)
Follower and Precursor
15 February 2012
This film came to my notice as kin to Downton Abbey in roots and genre. The added murder mystery element is sub to the whole, and a bit of a comic element along the lines of Clouseau in execution. If they did not intend the inspector to be bumbling, they greatly bumbled, because he certainly was. This requires multiple viewings for its multiple layers. Clearly a well done film for its type and subject, a follower to some (Upstairs Downstairs) and precursor to others, such as Abbey. There is much on this posting to give the technical mumbo jumbo should you be interested in that. The film takes the current day license with portrayal of lower forms of human dealings and communication, and is pretty cynical. One catches glimpses of the upper side of the human heart nevertheless. Again, it requires multiple viewings.
The Matchmaker
(1958)
Déjà vu
17 December 2011
This movie was shown on TCM last week or so. It's the first time for me, and while watching it, I saw that it is almost the same script as Hello Dolly! It's a charming story and enjoyable movie overall. But Hello Dolly! is a favorite movie with me, and I think they did more with it. Even without the musical element, it developed a lot of scenes further, to the benefit of the story and viewer. Maybe it's also an appreciation for Barbra Streisand, though I do not like her in everything. Her over the top brass as an outrageous Dolly was so much fun. I don't like every musical either, but Hello Dolly! is a very lively and entertaining one to me. There is a lot of fun in it. It's certainly an attractive movie. The two are just different movies, each enjoyable for its own type and handling.
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