Another film about movies. Humphrey Bogart plays Harry Dawes, a film writer and director (of course) who has lost his way. So lucky for him he meets the glamorous dancer Maria Vargas, played by Ava Gardner. Her early reluctance to consider going into movies is changed with her friendship with Harry. Bogart has all the best lines, courtesy of a good screenplay from director Joseph Mankewitz.
The film looks good and is well shot, and the locations are splendid. So far so good. However, it's after Maria's success in Hollywood and her eventual marriage to the rich count (who saves her from an ugly scene in a casino) that things go far too melodramatic. Such a shame.
Sky Arts usually follow an episode of Classic Movies with a showing of the film they discussed. So it was interesting to compare the team's thoughts with my views on 3 Days of the Condor. (See post of the 6th June). First of all, it rains a lot in New York, where the film is set, a change from Washington, where the book is located. The story is adapted from the 1974 novel Six Days of the Condor by James Grady.
It stars a blondish Robert Redford as Joe Turner, a CIA researcher on the run after all the people in his office are shot. He is obviously out of his depth and cannot work out who is after him. He's in contact with a senior CIA man played by Cliff Robertson, but who can he trust? Certainly not Kathy Hale, played by the super cool Faye Dunaway, whom he abducts. Their relationship is the best part of the film; she only partly believes his story and would give him up to the authorities given half a chance.
Add in a hitman played by Max von Sydow; this is definitely a stylish thriller, directed at a great pace by Sydney Pollack. Just one note of caution. New crime series on TV now do these kinds of thrillers better.
Another film that was discussed on Sky's Classic Movies show: see my post of the 15th May. It was interesting to see on the opening credits, "Introducing Anthony Wager and Jean Simmons". We know the latter became a big star, but what about the former who plays the young Pip? There is a good article on anthonywager.blogspot.com. This film was his only success.
The film starts with those big skies, remarkable in the great black-and-white photography. These early scenes were a surprise, all about Magwitch, the escaped convict. Only to make sense in the last part of the movie. The part that follows as Pip meets Miss Havisham is still incredible for the wedding banquet left to rot from that disaster years ago. She is also the guardian for bossy young Estella. Unfortunately we do not see enough of Biddy, with whom Pip grew up. The wonderful Eileen Erskine deserved a far bigger role.
Years pass and Pip's secret benefactor gives him those "great expectations" and a career in the law. The older version is played by a young John Mills, demonstrating the promise of future greatness. And with whom does he share the same lodgings but a young Alec Guiness. I have to say the scenes of London are excellent. The newly confident Pip also meets the beautiful older Estella, now played by Jean Simmons. This is some cast.
The final part of the film is that big surprise with the arrival back from Australia of a now wealthy Abel Magwitch. The plot turns into a thriller with Magwitch in danger from the authorities. Then we have that very last scene back at the old mansion, changed from the book to give audiences a happy ending. Director David Lean made a classic movie adapted from the Charles Dickens novel.
No comments:
Post a Comment