Curtain Up

Once upon a time most cities and towns would have a theatre which had a repertory theatre where popular plays would be presented for a week at a time.TV was responsible for the demise of this form of theatre.This film shows all the pitfalls that arose with the putting on of plays.Margaret Rutherford and Robert Morley are the reliable leads in this amusing comedy..

Along with gems alike "Withnail & I," "A Midwinters Tale," even "Noises Off" Curtain Up is a film every live theatre worker should see. Based on the idea that 'it'll be alright on the night!' the film is infused with clichés from the theatre world. From the first time author in awe of her creation, the could-have-been-famous-but-if-only-it-weren't-for-xxx-reason actress, the drunken actress in mid-life crisis who insists on being nude, the juvenile lead whose best audience is his mirror to the jaded director/producer who plows on regardless of others' emotions they are all lifted directly from the people who still work in the live industry today. The cast, lead by Morley and Rutherford, are excellent in portraying these highly-strung individuals that even though work for selfish reasons, pull together to finish the play before 'Curtain Up' Today however the film is very dated. Even for the fifties, regional theatres in England weren't often in the position to have a weekly-rep company employed fulltime. This film documents an institution eroded by film and television and to view today seems odd, old-fashioned and perhaps far fetched. Its a jolly giggle that gives tribute to the live theatre and as such many in-jokes may be missed by a layman. So when watching this well roasted chestnut use a little forgiveness. It was released in a different time for a different market, however for any actor, technician, director or the like its a must.

Slight romantic comedy about the dress rehearsal of a fairly dire amateur play, interspersed with the complicated love lives of members of the cast. An inconsequential piece of froth, but watchable for splendid performances from Margaret Rutherford as the playwright and Robert Morley as the producer who tries to bring his version of dramatic sense into Rutherford's incomprehensible and unactable plot. When Morley falls into the pit and is injured, Rutherford takes over. All ably supported by a reliable cast of regulars from British movies. It has to be said though that it's all a bit stagey (for a movie) and Rattigan did it better

Yes the love interest bit between two of te characters is tacked on. Yes it is rather small and cramped in it's setting. But this picture is great fun.

Margaret Rutherford does what she does best, and watching this film I couldn't help but lament at the current lack of any good female character actors. Women who are over 40 and don't mind showing it.

I loved this film, as much for it's humour, which is as funny today as it was then, as for the gorgeous touch of nostalgia it inspired. Surprising considering i was not even thought of in 1953 and i am not english.

See it it's fun, unoffensive and unashamably silly.

CURTAIN UP is a routine British comedy which fails to raise anything more than the slightest titter. I dread to think what the movie would be like without the considerable talents of Margaret Rutherford and Robert Morley in the leading roles, and even with them it's pretty dire 'entertainment'. The plot quickly becomes tiresome, a weekly repertory company is rehearsing a dreadfully written play, "Tarnished Gold". The producer, played with gusto by Robert Morley, quickly falls out with the play's authoress, the marvellously eccentric Margaret Rutherford, and after the first rehearsal he rips out 27 pages of the 30 page script. Adding to the 'fun' are the problems, tantrums and behind-the-scenes squabbles of the play's cast, which seriously hinder the rehearsals (and also the film). One of England's greatest post war character actors, Sam Kydd, makes a fleeting appearance at the finale, as an ambulance man. The only genuinely funny moment in 80 minutes is Morley's facial expression when Margaret Rutherford turns up and says "I've come to sit at your feet while my child is being born!"