Sangaree

This was Paramount's first 3-D film of the 1950's, which reportedly had begun production as a flat film, but then re-started in 3-D in the race to get a stereoscopic project into the theatres as soon as possible. Fernando Lamas also appeared in a second 3-Dimension film, JIVARO, in 1954.

To my mind this is the most "Hollywood" of all the Golden Age 3-D titles I've seen so far. I mean that as a compliment, of course. It's sumptuous, vibrant, lusty, melodramatic, romantic, and it has exactly the characters (and actors playing them) you'd want in period genre fare like this: the macho matinee hero, the strong-willed heroine who starts out antagonistic but eventually comes to see things the hero's way, the hissable villains, the wildcard interlopers you're never too sure about.

At least two plot twists blind-sided me, which is always good. The script is sharp enough and the material sturdy enough to keep me invested through repeat screenings. It's a polished, colourful production that's typical of the kind of literary costume romp the Hollywood studio system used to deliver on a good day. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Fernando Lamas is so perfectly cast it's almost untrue. His speech at the court hearing more than convinced me of Carlos's intelligence and his moral compass. There's also a Flynn-like ironic touch to his bravado; he knows exactly what the material is and how this well-educated-yet-two-fisted character should be played.

Arlene Dahl is at her best when she's at her feistiest. She really lights up whenever a scene gets dramatic and tempers flare, though to be honest she's very good throughout. Like Rhonda Fleming and Eleanor Parker, those other underrated redheads, she's a far more accomplished actress than her cover girl looks might suggest.

Patricia Medina is one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen. I think her character is the hardest to swallow, but she acquits herself admirably. This is a very competent cast indeed.

Numerous 3-D shots in Sangaree are strikingly composed. Two in the tobacco warehouse, umpteen at the ball, at least one in the courtroom, several crowd scenes indoors and outdoors, some views over the water: it's a varied and highly effective use of what was at the time a fledgling form of visual storytelling. Much has been made of the innovative early uses of sound, of colour, of the widescreen format, and the films that first managed to incorporate them seamlessly into the filmgoing experience. I'd place several 3-D shots from Sangaree alongside any moments from those in terms of seamlessness, artistry, and the sheer magic of experiencing a fresh dimension of cinema. Critics maintain that a 3-D film should be able to stand on its own without the extra dimension. Well, this one does, thank you very much, but it's so much more when viewed the way the filmmakers intended. All films should be afforded that right.

I saw this one last night pretty much not knowing anything about it except that it was in 3-D and that it starred Fernano Lamas---He even says to someone in the film "You Look Fabulous!!" (as opposed to You Look Marvellous!) I really only saw it because there was absolutely nothing else around that i really wanted to see (which is extremely rare) and i didn't wanna go home just yet so i plunked down the money and took a chance on this----and it was actually a fun watch! Fernando is a poor doctor in Georgia in the 1780's i would say---(he was the son of servants and the rich man who was his parents' boss for some reason paid for him to go to med school on the condition that he return and be his doctor should he need one)Fernando is called back to the place he grew up where the man who was his benefactor when he was younger is dying and leaves Fernando as the heir to his estate and to tend to his various properties which seem to make up most of the town!

Needless to say most of the townspeople--and the actual blood daughter of the rich benefactor are ill at ease with this---The Daughter actually tries to sue him using the claim that her father wasn't in his right mind when he made that arrangement. Fernando's skills as a doctor,(the town is facing a plague epidemic) as a brawler (he gets into a couple of fistfights at the local bar and wards off some pirates who wanted to steal something or other) and as a suave, good humored guy with an accent cheesier than Kraft eventually wins the townspeople over--and wins the heart of Nancy (the blood daughter of his benefactor and it should be pointed out--actual rightful heir.) Movie actually has a lot of funny one liners played completely straight and deadpan--Fernando says to Nancy at one point half kiddingly "you're a woman--and you think like a woman" (the 2 of them spend at least half the movie sniping at each other which then becomes love of course!--when they first see each other she even bites his lip after kissing him "i wanted to give you something you're gonna remember" she purrs to him...when he sees her again a little later he kisses her gloved hand and then bites it for good measure. Given random moments like these throughout, I believe the film knew exactly how it was playing as.) Because of its sense of humor and to be honest a lot of that comes from Fernando himself although Arlene Dhal gives as good as she gets as Nancy----the movie manages to be quite watchable and even somewhat fun. No you won't remember it the morning after, i barely even remembered it on the ride home after--but if you're in the mood for a light hearted somewhat fun romantic-comedy southern Gothic costume post-revolutionary war epic this would definitely fit the bill.

Just saw this at the World 3-D Film Expo and it was a turkey through and through.

Clearly this was only made for the lonely housewife set to ogle at a half-naked Fernando with painted-on pants. If he'd had a bigger basket I probably would've given it a higher score...:)

The transitions between real-world and sound stage footage was clunky at best. I can't imagine even a naive 1950's moviegoer believing any of this was shot in the real Savannah, Georgia.

Were it not for gimmick of 3-D this one would have been relegated to the dustbin of Hollywood long ago.

One commenter said Sangaree was noted for nothing more than its 3-D effects. Another said it was a dull turkey. I disagree. What I discovered when viewing it on TV years ago, was a charming period-piece set in a most charming venue: Savannah! The charm was no doubt bolstered by my having just moved to Savannah when I first saw the film. But the filming is magnificent, in my humble opinion. A little artistic in its backgrounds, perhaps, but nonetheless charming, and at least one charming film about Savannah needs to endure, so looks likt this one is it. The color, sets, scenery, and costuming are magnificent, and the photography and editing are cleaqr and consistent.

To instantly pooh-pooh this classic film on dubious technical claims, is unfair. Everyone who likes romance, history, Americana, and beautiful filming should see this movie. The emotional tone is often laid back and relaxing, but that was the way of life in the sunny old South.

And what fine casting! Moreover, Arlene Dahl is - in my opinion - the only non-Southern actress who could really do a Southern accent... ( and she was from Minnesota, no less!)

The mere word "Sangaree" will forever carry me back to the charm and grace of fine old Savannah.

Sangaree ranks right up there with my favorite nostalgic films.