Incalculacable

Sylvia Bruce (Marion Davies) is a bored French teacher but after hearing the melodious sounds of the famous Bill Williams (Bing Crosby) on the radio, she is so inspired she leaves her job and seeks her dream.

Going Hollywood is a rather odd movie as there is the disturbing fact that Marion Davies' character is practically a stalker who insists that their love is meant to be. I can usually accept the fact that it's just a movie - it doesn't have to be realistic, but I just felt her character was a bit of a nut case. I hate to say it but Davies is most unconvincing and it is almost painful to see her scenes. I was disappointed to see this because she was magnificent in silents. That being said, Marion is undoubtedly gorgeous and has a few good moments (and she's not a bad dancer too)... but not nearly enough as there should be.

It is evident that Bing Crosby and the music are the real stars of this picture. He steals every scene from Davies with effortless delivery. The music - especially "Temptation", "Going Hollywood" and "Beautiful Girl" are absolutely delightful little tunes and make the movie well worth watching.

Overall, a bizarre and often tedious movie and Davies isn't at her best. However handsome crooner Bing Crosby and the fantastic music by Arthur Freed and Herb Brown steal the show and make it watchable. Does not compare to the other musicals of this period.

Based on a book by W. Somerset Maugham of the same name, The Painted Veil tells the tale of Katrin Koerber (Greta Garbo) who is lonely after her sister's marriage, with whom she was very close. She agrees to marry her father's research associate Dr. Walter Fane (Herbert Marshall) who takes her to China. However, he is deeply involved with his work and often neglects Katrin in favour of his work which leads her to seek love and attention from another man: Jack Townsend (George Brent).

Although I have been unsure of Garbo's acting abilities at times, she does well and truly shine in the role of the unfaithful and confused wife - a complex character which she masters with ease. Herbert Marshall does a good job of her husband caught between emotions and George Brent – not a terribly good looking man – was unconvincing as her lover. These two men seem to fade into the background when Garbo is on screen – her exotic; cat like appearance really captures the audience – despite not playing a glamorous character!

The scenery of old China is lavish and the costumes for Garbo are a pleasure to see. However, the divine Greta Garbo is the only thing that really makes The Painted Veil watchable. The plot is thin and weak but Garbo does a wonderful job and makes the melodramatic material believable and interesting. Not a great film, but watch it for Garbo.

All This, and Heaven Too is based on a novel of the same name by Rachel Field. It tells the story of loving governess Henriette Deluzy-Desportes (Bette Davis) in 19th century France who cares for the three children (three girls and a little boy) Duc (Charles Boyer) and Duchesse du Praslin (Barbara O'Neil). It is not long until the suspicious, possessive and insanely jealous hypochondriac Duchesse du Praslin thinks there is something between the governess and her husband (when it is, in fact, purely platonic) which brings up a change of events with some disastrous and fatal consequences.

Perhaps I am used to the confident Bette Davis that we see in movies such as Of Human Bondage, Jezebel and All About Eve – but I felt Davis' character was a little bland. However, I considered the circumstances and I think Bette played with a lot of passion and love, and the character was quite realistic. Margo Channing for a governess wouldn't work! With a running time of 141 minutes, it sounds like a rather long movie. However, director Litvak manages to keep it running along at a very comfortable pace. It certainly did not feel 141 minutes, and of course the lush (obviously very expensive) scenery, clothing, sets etc help a lot, too! Although not perfect, All This, and Heaven Too is certainly worth watching, in part for the rich visuals including the handsome Charles Boyer and beautiful Bette Davis and the gorgeous scenery, clothing, sets, props etc. A long film, but it doesn't feel as long as it really is. Good movie.