Over the Moon

"Over the Moon" is a decent enough film, but in its present form it's a bit tough to watch. This is because a lot of conservation work needs to be done on it--at least on the copy shown on Turner Classic Movies (and usually they show the best copy available). The problems are with the picture and sound. The film is in early Technicolor but the print is so muddy that it's actually pretty ugly. Additionally, the sound is a bit muddy--making it very hard for non-Brits like me to understand everything they are saying. Cleaning the sound and/or installing closed captions would be a HUGE boon to watching the film.

The film also suffers from a bizarre problem--one that is even weirder than using Jean Harlow's double to finish "Saratoga" after she died part-way through filming. The star of the film, Merle Oberon, went through HUGE changes in her looks in the late 1930s--going from a somewhat unattractive lady to a more vivacious lady due to studio folks who saw her potential. Here is the problem with this--much of the film was made in 1937 and then the project was shelved. Then, two years later, she looked like a totally different lady--and that's when they filmed the rest!! So, in the '37 portions, she has shaved and penciled eyebrows (like Jean Harlow) and very unattractive hair that emphasized her large forehead. In the '39 portions, she has normal eyebrows and a much more becoming hairstyle--making it look like two different actresses played the role. And, since it was NOT filmed in sequence, it's very disconcerting--much like when Luis Buñuel DELIBERATELY used two different actresses to play the same role in "That Obscure Object of Desire". With Buñuel, it worked because he was a surrealist but in "Over the Moon" most viewers will just be left confused.

As for the story itself, it's a decent tale of a poor girl (Oberon) who instantly becomes a very, very, very wealthy heiress and how this helps to mess up her life. Lots of selfish hangers on suddenly become her 'friends' and her fiancé (Rex Harrison) is driven off by her new lifestyle and nasty friends. But, no matter how much charm and magic the film has, all the factors listed above do a lot to undo the good--making the film a bit of a chore to watch.

For some reason all of the reviews for this film are from the state's.As this film was recently shown on London Live I can redress this.Firstly the colour is typical of pre war Technicolour and is quite beautiful.The sound was totally audible,at least to me.This was not the only London Film held up for release,21 Days being another.In any event since British film production had fallen to a low level due to bombing and requisition of studios,the release of these films would help British cinemas cope with their quota requirements.It is not a film which will rate highly in the careers of either stars.The plot must have hackneyed even at the time of production.Oberon inherits a lot of money and is then perused by a lot of aristocratic Chinese wonders who can offer a title in return for large wads of cash..Incidentally there is a really fine musical number by the immortal Elizabeth Welch which license up the proceedings.

Though made in 1939 and released right after Hitler started his march through Europe, the Alexander Korda production Over the Moon actually looks older. That's because production started in 1937.

It's in color with a very young Merle Oberon who, in the beginning, looks less like the Merle Oberon we knew once she came to Hollywood, but later has a new look, and a very young Rex Harrison.

The sound on this was fuzzy, so I didn't get all of it.

Anyway, Oberon plays Jane Benson who lives in the family home in Yorkshire. She's in love with the local doctor, Freddie (Harrison) and wants to marry him. They decide to marry, but then, Jane inherits an absolute fortune - 18 million pounds. Freddie dumps her. So right away, you know this isn't based on a true story.

Freddie feels her money would ruin his ambition, and he isn't interested in the trappings of money. Jane wants to spend about 2 million on frivolities and then give it all away. She goes on her spending adventure and attracts two men; meanwhile, Freddie has gotten a lot of attention for turning down an heiress.

Some gorgeous European scenery to be had here, but the film moves a bit slowly. Still, it's nice to look at, and it's always a pleasure to see Oberon and Harrison, two fine actors.

Having seen this on the big screen at the BFI yesterday, showing as part of a season of Korda films, and with restored sound and picture quality, I think it deserves a higher rating. The story is slight indeed and ends somewhat abruptly, but I found it all highly enjoyable and it flew by. It is good to see a British production of this period in colour, and there is some beautiful photography, in particular the shots of Venice and it was hard to tell if the ski shots were genuine or rigged up in the studio, in which case someone did an excellent job. Pure escapism, set in a glamorous world and reflecting nothing of real life, but that can be an added attraction in difficult times. Rex Harrison hasn't a great deal to do, but shows his qualities in light comedy. Above all there is Merle Oberon. Graceful and charming, she effortlessly dominates the screen, and whatever attributes and qualities go to make a star, she clearly had them in abundance. Hopefully a decent copy of this can be made available for all her admirers.

In a small Yorkshire village, girlish Merle Oberon (as Jane Benson) tends to her bedridden grandfather. His country doctor, young Rex Harrison (as Freddie Jarvis), seems more interested in checking Ms. Oberon's heartbeat. Their pulses rise and a marriage is considered. Suddenly, Oberon inherits 18,000,000 pounds, courtesy of her penny-pinching grandfather. That should be happy news, but Oberon reacts with a perplexed look. After the riches sink in, she decides to join high society in London, Monte Carlo and Nice. Initially along for the ride, Mr. Harrison becomes bored with fancy cars, parties and glitter. Harrison leaves. Oberon parties on, but something is missing...

This film meanders along clumsily. It appears disjointed, and Oberon often looks less than her beautiful self. One reason for this is the fact that "Over the Moon" jumped around three production years. It was begun in 1937 and completed in 1939. Although Oberon had yet to appear in the classic "Wuthering Heights" (1939), she was already an established star, having received an "Academy Award" nomination for "The Dark Angel" (1935). Herein, it appears that filmmakers are still searching for the proper way to photograph Oberon. This may be due to the fact that "Over the Moon" was filmed in color. Some of the camera angles, lighting and takes used are not flattering.

*** Over the Moon (2/12/39) Thornton Freeland ~ Merle Oberon, Rex Harrison, Ursula Jeans, Robert Douglas