richardchatten
Joined May 2016
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richardchatten's rating
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This adaptation of the novel by Victor Canning follows the precedent set by 'The Third Man' - in which Alida Valli was billed simply as 'Valli' - by calling Anouk Aimee 'Anouk'.
That aside the most memorable feature of the film is probably Miles Malleson rendered almost unrecognisable - both by his goatee beard and by his subdued performance -in an extremely rare straight part.
That aside the most memorable feature of the film is probably Miles Malleson rendered almost unrecognisable - both by his goatee beard and by his subdued performance -in an extremely rare straight part.
Ealing Studio's output deteriorated noticeably when in the 1950s they increasingly worked in colour. Similarly the modesty that characterised Hamer's films at Ealing is here notable for its absence; especially as Alec Guinness isn't exactly obvious casting as a romantic lead.
Which accounts for why this rather trivial romantic comedy - despite the use of Parisian locations - provides further evidence that during the fifties a director was likely to make his least interesting work in colour.
Which accounts for why this rather trivial romantic comedy - despite the use of Parisian locations - provides further evidence that during the fifties a director was likely to make his least interesting work in colour.
An unusual film on which to find Ray Bradbury credited as scriptwriter. Orson Welles had already wanted to film Herman's Melville's novel before John Huston entered the picture; and I won't be the first to suggest that the film would have more successful had it been Welles - who was compensated with the part of Father Mapple - who had directed it and Huston himself had played Ahab.
