This movie, with Douglas Fairbanks in the lead, has a slow start. Although painter Augy does not make a penny, he does not look depressed at all and when he falls in love with the beautiful and rich Gladys he's in seventh heaven. But when Glady's seeks consolation with another man, Augy's heart is broken and does not want to live anymore. After a failed suicide attempt, he hires a contract killer to do him in. From that moment on, it becomes a super fun and comic movie. Fairbanks shows what he's best in and does a lot of stunt work.
When I heard about the Dutch film 'De Surprise', with Jeroen van Koningsbrugge and Georgina Verbaan in 2015, I thought I had already seen the plot earlier. The Surprise has the same theme. This film is based on a story of Belcampo, which was filmed for Belgian television in 1984. But this is not the only movie with that same theme. In 2005, the Czechs made 'Shut up and shoot me'. In 1990 the Finns came with the black comedy; 'I hired a contract killer'. The French also made their own version with 'Up to his ears' in 1965. There is even a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode with this theme. Further back, in 1931, the Germans made the slapstick 'Der Mann, the Seinen Mörder Sucht'. But who thinks that 'Flirting with Fate' was the first in 1916 is deceived. It may be the first movie with this plot, but the credits for this original story should go to Jules Verne with his book 'Tribulations of a Chinaman in China', dating back to 1879.
Back to Flirting with Fate. Although Douglas Fairbanks plays the stars of heaven, leading lady, Jewel Carmen, is a bit disappointing. She's just a beautiful face and she hasn't really got charisma. Her friend Phyllis, played by Dorothy Haydel, has a minor role, but clearly has more charisma. In addition, George Beranger, who plays Automatic Joe, deserves a mention. He plays his role as a contract killer excellent.
But apart from the slow start and the flat leading lady this is a very nice movie.
When I heard about the Dutch film 'De Surprise', with Jeroen van Koningsbrugge and Georgina Verbaan in 2015, I thought I had already seen the plot earlier. The Surprise has the same theme. This film is based on a story of Belcampo, which was filmed for Belgian television in 1984. But this is not the only movie with that same theme. In 2005, the Czechs made 'Shut up and shoot me'. In 1990 the Finns came with the black comedy; 'I hired a contract killer'. The French also made their own version with 'Up to his ears' in 1965. There is even a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode with this theme. Further back, in 1931, the Germans made the slapstick 'Der Mann, the Seinen Mörder Sucht'. But who thinks that 'Flirting with Fate' was the first in 1916 is deceived. It may be the first movie with this plot, but the credits for this original story should go to Jules Verne with his book 'Tribulations of a Chinaman in China', dating back to 1879.
Back to Flirting with Fate. Although Douglas Fairbanks plays the stars of heaven, leading lady, Jewel Carmen, is a bit disappointing. She's just a beautiful face and she hasn't really got charisma. Her friend Phyllis, played by Dorothy Haydel, has a minor role, but clearly has more charisma. In addition, George Beranger, who plays Automatic Joe, deserves a mention. He plays his role as a contract killer excellent.
But apart from the slow start and the flat leading lady this is a very nice movie.