Frenchman's Creek

Yes, this movie is a secret pleasure of mine. I loved the book by DuMaurier--considering it one of my all time favorites--and have read it several times. To have the book brought to life on the screen is rewarding. Yes, the color and acting are great, but I imagine so much more in my fantasies. I wish Hedy Lamarr would have played Dona. She was so beautiful, and I believe, could have carried off the "tomboy" just as well, if not more believably, than Fontaine. (Such as her Samson and Delilah role.) As far as the pirate, I'm OK with Cordova, but his small stature sort of detracts from the fantasy. He's adequate enough, and foreign enough, to carry this film for me. I puzzle over who I would have preferred to play that part. I'm not sure I would have liked Errol Flynn in the part (as suggested). I not familiar with enough foreign actors at that time (1940's) to suggest who. I suppose if it were more recent, possibly Gerard Depardieu would have fit in nicely. All in all, I love this movie. The ending is bittersweet. Basil Rathbone provides a believable menace and Nigel Bruce is perfect in his role as the dithering husband. As I said, a "secret pleasure". I treasure this movie.

In examining this well-done film,I find myself in disagreement with one of the other critics,in terms of regarding the performances of some of the supporting players.Where do we start?

1)Nigel Bruce is doing his usual blundering,obtuse,blithering,pompous oaf,as we have seen in numerous other films.In this picture,however,his character is not as benign as we have witnessed elsewhere.

2.)Cecil Kellaway,as William,is doing a masterpiece.His character is sly,wise,verbally adroit,socially adept,sensitive,and intuitive.This is the sort of fellow we would wish to have as the major-domo,or butler.

3.)Forbes,as Harry,does well in what happens to be an extremely thankless role.Dona's husband is a clod and a buffoon.He is a self-centered,selfish,immature man,who married for all of the wrong reasons(although the right ones for that period.)He wanted to have a beautiful wife,who would provide him with sexual companionship,company,and would handle all of the business aspects while he could go out with his pals and have a good time.He's not only NOT interested in handling his end of the relationship,but he puts her in the way of Lord Rockingham,even though he knows that she finds his attentions repugnant.it's not easy to do this kind of part,but he does carry it off.

A highborn noblewomen named Lady Dona St Columb , Joan Fontaine , who has two children , falls badly in love for a pirate when she fleeing her spineless husband : Ralph Forbes , heads for her family's state on the Cornish coast . There she finds a Frenchman's ship anchored in a creek off her country state and discovers a dashing French privateer : Arturo de Córdoba is using a nearby cove to anchor his ship while he spies on the English . As the pirate is unfortunately a spy since the Frenchies and the Brits are battling as usual. The Lady and the pirate get very , very close and she decides to help him outwit the authorities and especially the lecherous Lord Rockingham : Basil Rathbone who discovers her secrets , while Lady Dona risks all to rescue him .

The attractive and colourful escapism ensured to make a big hit at boxoffice and profit enough . This fun and entertaining film displays emotion , thrills , swashbuckling , swordplay and romance. Stars Joan Fontaine who is frankly fabulous as the Lady searching for adventure and becomes dazzled by a valiant pirate, but soon she must choose between passion and duty concerning her children. Arturo de Córdoba is agreeable and sympathetic as the brave French pirate. Adding a classy secondary cast , including enjoyable performances from Ralph Bates, Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce playing in Watson style and Cecil Kallaway who steals the movie as a likable butler . Bolstered by a great production , it was said to have cost more the 3 million dollar , besides , a colorful and brilliant technicolor by George Barnes and emotive musical score by Victor Young .

Based on the novel by Daphne Du Maurier , whose books were also adapted by Alfred Hithcock as Jamaica Inn and Rebecca starred by Joan Fontaine . It was remade for British television in 1998 by Ferdinand Fairfaix with Tara Fitzgerald , Anthony Delon , James Fleet , Danny Webb , Tim Dutton . This old 1944 retelling was nicely directed by Mitchell Leisen , whose speciality in filmmaking was romantic comedy , it was perhaps not the ideal director , but here Leisen gets an amusing and charming pirate adventure .

...or at least women love people who can take them away from a humdrum life ."The Frenchman's creek" could be only just dream.That it was written by Du Maurier is not surprising: "Rebecca"-which featured the same actress- had something dreamlike ,something like a fairy tale with a witch.

A socialite, a distinguished lady of Old England sees time passing her by,with a not-so-handsome husband who is anything but romantic.This lady wants something else ,something more than merely sexual ,or else she would have picked up a young lover in the aristocracy.A revealing scene shows her playing with her children ; ladies from long ago did not do so: their nannies used to do that job.When she sails away with her pirate,it's some kind of game with big children who themselves play -see they them put on the ladies' clothes- or spend most of the time singing obscure French folk songs with a curious Latin accent which is anything but the French accent .

The second part of the movie is a return to a harsh reality ,the well-meaning people ,the society with the laws ,the possessions .The heroine can no longer follow the rules .I was wondering if Milady would wake up from her slumber and discovered she dreamed her life away.

The costumes are lavish,the colors magnificent and Joan Fontaine was never more beautiful: I generally like her sister best but I can't imagine Olivia de Havilland play a tomboy,when the heroine joins the crew.

Olivia de Havilland ,who,in another great movie by Leisen ("Hold back the dawn"),was a simple schoolteacher falling for a mysterious alien ,the same way her sister did here.

Like this?Try these.....

"Moonfleet" (1955) by Fritz Lang "The Spanish Main " (1945) by Frank Borzage "Peter Pan" (1953) by Clyde Geronimi,Hamilton Luske,Wilfred Jackson.

A fun movie to watch. Joan Fontaine was never more beautiful. The sets and costumes are absolutely breathtaking and Basil Rathbone completely steals the show. This film has all the elements of a good adventure yarn.