After MANY years gone by, I saw SABRINA last night on a local station's Sunday night classic movie offering. Delightful. You may stop reading here.
There inevitably are some addenda to show how clever I am:
Bogart was working hard, but frankly was seriously mis-cast. His age did not work against him, not at bit of it, but his personality, even his face. I doubt he could smile without looking hardened or sinister, important in much of his work, but not wanted here in romantic comedy. There was the scene coming home in the open car -- his sad line about being ten years younger -- when he looked not like a greying fuddy-duddy wishing he could charm the young beauty next to him, but a thug.
Holden looked much more comfortable than in the more celebrated role in SUNSET BOULEVARD. He also was able to display his athletic prowess.
The title character displayed her considerable charms in costumes daring, if improbable, for the mid-'50s. Those SHORT shorts and the one piece outfit more dance costume than street clothes. Accordingly . . . I could not take my eyes off her.
This is a fine period piece, but allow some social commentary. Bogart's character speaks for the Good Corporation, a philosophy which arose after the Second World War as reaction to the piratical reputation, businessman as callous heavy, that reached apogee in the 1930s. Did he want money? No. He had always had plenty. Power? Rather too vulgar. No, he wanted to use the might of his capital to create a better world. He got to me, this pug-ugly little guy in his plush office. He definitely deserved to Get The Girl.
There inevitably are some addenda to show how clever I am:
Bogart was working hard, but frankly was seriously mis-cast. His age did not work against him, not at bit of it, but his personality, even his face. I doubt he could smile without looking hardened or sinister, important in much of his work, but not wanted here in romantic comedy. There was the scene coming home in the open car -- his sad line about being ten years younger -- when he looked not like a greying fuddy-duddy wishing he could charm the young beauty next to him, but a thug.
Holden looked much more comfortable than in the more celebrated role in SUNSET BOULEVARD. He also was able to display his athletic prowess.
The title character displayed her considerable charms in costumes daring, if improbable, for the mid-'50s. Those SHORT shorts and the one piece outfit more dance costume than street clothes. Accordingly . . . I could not take my eyes off her.
This is a fine period piece, but allow some social commentary. Bogart's character speaks for the Good Corporation, a philosophy which arose after the Second World War as reaction to the piratical reputation, businessman as callous heavy, that reached apogee in the 1930s. Did he want money? No. He had always had plenty. Power? Rather too vulgar. No, he wanted to use the might of his capital to create a better world. He got to me, this pug-ugly little guy in his plush office. He definitely deserved to Get The Girl.