I remember the first time I watched this film, was on my father's VHS copy. The title did not really take me at first because it wasn't one of those recognizable blockbuster films from the early 40's. However, when I saw Cagney and DeHavilland's names on the cover, I KNEW this movie HAD to be good. My father already owned most of the Cagney film collection anyway. The first thing that struck me about this film was the opening fanfare, "And the Band Played On...". Wow, talk about taking you back into an era we not fortunate enough to have been born in, Turn of the Century (1900). For the most part, the cinematography is awesome. This film was not produced in Technicolor, but it really didn't need to be, for the brilliant photography really brings out the authenticity of the whole setting, especially the costumes. The vibrancy of the camera photography focused on Rita Hayworth's costuming is almost breathtaking. At times you almost feel like you are watching parts of Gone With The Wind, that's how vibrant and masterful the cinematography is. And older audiences who appreciated Cagneys' later works will most certainly appreciate this movie well. Here's a still-cocky, arrogant angle of the Cagney we remember and loved---however, this film allowed the actor to bring out his vulnerable, charming, romantic side as well. And he does it so smoothly and brilliantly, being well cast opposite the loveliness of legendary Olivia DeHavilland (remember, MISS MELANIE "Gone With The Wind"). DeHavilland shines brightly in one of her better, finer roles, not too soon after GWTW wrapped up, allowing her to really expand not only the soft sweetness we remembered from her Miss Melanie of GWTW, but also take a sharp turn with front boldness as well. So we get a little bit of Scarlett O'Hara in the mix. The best of both world's with DeHavilland's character.
I never even heard of Jack Carson before this film. But I must say, I was widely impressed how he handled his character against Cagney's screen presence. Carson was beautifully convincing as the crude, conniving-yet-vulnerable, conning Hugo Barnstead. And his character ability alongside Hayworth's 'strawberry blonde' is Killer at best. The way their character's are allowed full march to play off each other is the big comic-relief in this movie -- almost stealing the comical cuteness from Cagney's character. This film was also Rita Hayworth's big screen debut. When she originally auditioned for the role, she was ecstatic about the possibility of playing alongside Cagney, for he was her favorite screen villain. She considered Cagney a genius, almost more talented than counterpart Humphrey Bogart. When she was ultimately (and convincingly) cast as Virginia Brush, she about went through the floor (information, courtesy of Warner Bros.). Being in her very first major screen film, and alongside Cagney was a dream come true for Hayworth. She didn't think she would be good enough, however, the rest of the cast (most especially Cagney), worked diligently with her to perfect her character performance, alongside Carson. Overall, the film critics rated her performance as "exceptional". I absolutely LOVED Hayworth in this film. I have always liked Rita Hayworth. But outside this movie, and a few other juicy roles she had, I did not know that she lived in constant insecurity throughout much of her Hollywood career that she didn't feel she 'measured up' to the star-status of the other actresses (poor girl!). Well, she did beautifully in this role of the 'Strawberry Blonde'.
I fell so much in love with this movie classic, that I also modified a personal copy of the script.
PEANUT
