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Featured reviews
When this film began, I thought it offered a less coy approach to sex than most 1950s film, but it turned out to be far more misogynistic. None of the women were favourably presented. It was redeemed, however, by Nadja Tiler's acting, which was quite extraordinary!
Nadja Tiller, fresh from playing a blackmailing callgirl in 'Das Madchen Rosemarie' (1958) played a blonde tease in this screen version of the 1951 novel by the nephew of W.Somerset Maugham which amply demonstrates that he was another chip off the old block.
Tony Britton goes to pieces over blonde slattern Tiller as Lawrence Harvey would five years later over Kim Novak in Ken Hughes' version of 'Of Human Bondage' and James Fox would over Sarah Miles in 'The Servant'.
Enhanced by noirish photography by Otto Heller, there's a remarkable amount of sex talk; and Donald Wolfit again represents the cynicism and venality of the establishment as he had just done in 'Room at the Top'.
Tony Britton goes to pieces over blonde slattern Tiller as Lawrence Harvey would five years later over Kim Novak in Ken Hughes' version of 'Of Human Bondage' and James Fox would over Sarah Miles in 'The Servant'.
Enhanced by noirish photography by Otto Heller, there's a remarkable amount of sex talk; and Donald Wolfit again represents the cynicism and venality of the establishment as he had just done in 'Room at the Top'.
THE ROUGH AND THE SMOOTH is a low budget British drama from 1959 featuring direction from B-movie honcho Robert Siodmak. In fact, the movie has quite an international feel to it, featuring a supporting role for US stalwart William Bendix and a leading part for Austrian actress Nadja Tiller, playing the femme fatale of the piece. There are also minor turns for British talent including Donald Wolfit (as a sleazy journalist), Adrienne Corri, and an incredibly youthful Geoffrey Bayldon, although I missed spotting the latter.
The problem with this film is that it's quite uninteresting. A boring young gent starts on an affair with a notorious woman, and that's about all that happens. There's no suspense and not much in the way of drama, just lots of pub visits and people sitting around talking. British B-movies are usually a lot more fun than this one, which feels stodgy and dull throughout. It may have been quite controversial at the time due to some rather frank portrayals of sex and sexuality, but nowadays it's quite tame.
The problem with this film is that it's quite uninteresting. A boring young gent starts on an affair with a notorious woman, and that's about all that happens. There's no suspense and not much in the way of drama, just lots of pub visits and people sitting around talking. British B-movies are usually a lot more fun than this one, which feels stodgy and dull throughout. It may have been quite controversial at the time due to some rather frank portrayals of sex and sexuality, but nowadays it's quite tame.
A young archaeologist, maneuvered into an engagement he does not quite want, encounters a stunning blonde with a German accent and decides to kick over the traces, much to the surprise of anyone (except, maybe, the blonde). He becomes agitated when the young lady's colorful past starts to intrude itself on his comfortable existence, and is truly appalled when he has the true PORTRAIT OF A SINNER. Will our hero nonetheless benefit from his dance with his dark side, or will our heroine drag him into the mire of her turbulent world?
There is a lot of good in this little bit of Brit Noir, including a script that is a lot more adult than usual for 1959. Since the adult bits are handled with wit, it comes across as sophisticated (and funny) rather than coarse. William Bendix, as the vulgar fellow who may or may not be our femme fatale's employer, adds some unique art design, as well as quite a good performance, to the mix. Also featured is some really good repartee. The problem is that there really is not all that much going on here, other than the tale of a lucky young man who wants a little naughty with his luck, before he takes up his rightful place in society. As a result, you might find yourself just a shade disappointed at the end of it all, despite the obvious talent involved.
There is a lot of good in this little bit of Brit Noir, including a script that is a lot more adult than usual for 1959. Since the adult bits are handled with wit, it comes across as sophisticated (and funny) rather than coarse. William Bendix, as the vulgar fellow who may or may not be our femme fatale's employer, adds some unique art design, as well as quite a good performance, to the mix. Also featured is some really good repartee. The problem is that there really is not all that much going on here, other than the tale of a lucky young man who wants a little naughty with his luck, before he takes up his rightful place in society. As a result, you might find yourself just a shade disappointed at the end of it all, despite the obvious talent involved.
This film gives the impression that it has had about six writers involved at different times.Each writer invents another character and plot line and then moves on.The next plot writer then abandons the previous plot and starts afresh.The only constants being that the Nadja Tiller character wreaks emotional destruction wherever she goes and the Tony Britton character is silly enough to take it all.It wastes some decent actors,particularly Donald Wolfitt and William Bendix.This film came in on the wave of sexual frankness that the censor was allowing.It was given an X certificate when today it would probably get a 12 at most.Maybe the producers wanted to take advantage of the situation and came totally unstuck.
Did you know
- TriviaThe hotel used by the lovers was previously used in The Traitor [1957] and would later appear as: 1. the tennis club in School For Scoundrels [1960]; 2. Jane's house in "The Nudist Story" [5/60]; 3. Rod Taylor's training ground in The Liquidator [1965]; 4. the Eatons' house in The Devil Rides Out [1968]; 5. "The Elizabethan Hotel" in The Avengers S7 Episode 20 "Wish You Were Here" [12/2/69]; 6. Paul Kirstner's house in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Episode 7 "Murder Ain't What It Used To Be" [2/11/69]; 7. "Merstham Manor" in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Episode 9 "The House on Haunted Hill" [16/11/69]; 8. garden for croquet in Department S 2/8 The Perfect Operation [26/11/69]; 9. Mrs Howe's house in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Episode 14 "Who Killed Cock Robin?" [21/12/69]; 10. the house named "Marling Dale" Byrom Blain is chauffeured to at the start of the episode in Department S 2/14 "The Bones of Byrom Blain" [28/1/70]; 11. the house used as base by Carter and Drieker in Department S 2/19 "A Ticket to Nowhere" [11/3/70]; 12. the house used by Ralph Bates & Judy Geeson in Fear In The Night [1972]; 13. the restaurant visited by Strand in Special Branch S4 Episode 12 "Diversion" [2/5/74]; 14. Green's house in The Professionals 2/5 In The Public Interest [4/11/78] and 15. the honeymoon hotel in Hammer House of Mystery & Suspense episode 1 Mark of The Devil [5/9/84].
- Quotes
Mike Thompson: You beautiful, blonde bitch!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Trailer Cinema (1992)
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Das Bittere und das Süße
- Filming locations
- MGM British Studios, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK(studio: made at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios Boreham Wood, England.)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 36m(96 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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