starmmjaid

Yes, Robert Sterling was my cousin. I may be a bit biased, but I don't think so. I won't go through the new take on the oft used Faustian plot, because every review details it. I'll focus on acting.

Burgess Meredith is always good. He was a high quality actor. But let's also face the fact that his part was the easiest of the three. Like Tom Cruise, who had the tougher role in "Rain Man," (and no less than Helen Hayes agreed), the less flashy, more ordinary humans are the hardest to play. Robert Sterling gives a fine performance here (so does Crowley in a smaller role). He takes us through the nuances of change regarding his character, Doug Winter, and that's where the acting challenge comes. He was perhaps best known for TV's "Topper," with his talented wife, Anne Jeffreys. He also appeared in Greta Garbo's final film, "Two Faced Woman," among many other screen credits.

Robert Sterling was a handsome and competent actor. In fact, he gave his first wife, Anne Sothern, credit for increasing his acting knowledge and ability. Bob was not the greatest actor who ever lived (a la Olivier for example), but he was every bit as good as most and I am proud of his performance here.

Others have covered the plot, so I'll look at the production itself.

Disclosure: Anne Jeffreys was my cousin-in-law and she was a versatile, solid actress/singer (though she doesn't sing in this). That said, this plot is pretty weak, made weaker by the overuse of closeups. They in turn make the acting seem almost silent movie exaggerated at times. There was no need for all the closeups, and I can't even begin to discern the director's reason for them, especially since everyone in the cast is a competent actor.

The script is pretty weak, too. Some of the lines are almost laughable, made so in part because the camera is practically up the actor's nostrils. You know when you're focused on something other than the story and the action, something is wrong.

The cast deserved better.