dafrieze

This is one of the films Stanley Donen directed during his long sojourn in England. His previous one with Cary Grant, "Indiscreet," also starred Ingrid Bergman, and the two of them repeated their impeccable chemistry from "Notorious" ten years earlier in a very romantic and yet sophisticated comedy. "The Grass Is Greener" is, if anything, more sophisticated, almost stultifyingly so. It's obviously based on a stage play, fitted out with a handful of cinematic tricks that stick out like sore thumbs.

This cast could do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and they just about manage to make it work. Robert Mitchum is probably miscast, but he doesn't let it show, and his scenes with Deborah Kerr (the two of them made many films together and enjoyed one another's company) work beautifully. Cary Grant is impeccable, as always, although I can't help thinking that this really is Rex Harrison territory. And Jean Simmons is delightful - she really is a fairly underrated actress. Moray Watson also shines as the butler.

One question: why didn't the doctor every show up? (You have to watch the movie to the end to find out what I mean.)

The Beatles' sequel to "A Hard Day's Night" is a relentlessly silly spoof of spy thrillers, with an Indian cult headed by a manic Leo McKern (his character's name is Clang) pursuing Ringo, who is wearing their sacred ring and therefore must become a human sacrifice. Also in on the chase are an inept mad scientist (Victor Spinetti) and his even more incompetent assistant (Roy Kinnear), as well as Ahme (Eleanor Bron), a renegade member of the cult who is trying to protect the Beatles. Some of the gags are fun, David Watkin's cinematography is highly evocative (especially when the cast converges, for no good reason, on an Alpine slope), and the film contains some of the Beatles' best songs. But, unfair as it may be to compare it to "A Hard Day's Night," the fact is that "Help!" is more elaborate, more expensive, and less charming.