Cdorothygale-1 Reviews

With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Never-disclosed on-set goof.

[8/10 · 10 November 2007]

This was one of Fox's highest grossers, and, for Fox, a really good musical. Susan Hayward was never more beautiful, and the story was basically an accurate biography of Jane Froman.

An on-set mishap occurred during the title song, and was noticed by all in attendance but rather than re-shoot this lavish number, it was decided to let it stay in the film because no one in the audience would notice it. They were right. No one saw it then. However, as Richard Allan lifts Susan Hayward off the floor, an overhead camera sees her left breast slip out of the low-cut gown, then drop back in. On a DVD, it will, I'm sure, be even more noticeable.

Mishap notwithstanding, this is a musical full of standards from the thirties and forties, sung to perfection by Jane Froman herself, and giving Miss Hayward a visually electrifying number in a red dress against a yellow-gold sunburst. WOW!

Deep in My Heart (1954)

A neglected MGM musical gem

[10/10 · 22 August 2007]

DEEP IN MY HEART is one of the last of the great MGM Musicals, and almost unknown today. This is too bad, because it contains some wonderful musical numbers: Cyd Charisse at her most spectacular in a number from THE DESERT SONG, Gene Kelly and his brother Fred as song-and-dance men, Jose Ferrer doing a surprising one-man-show routine that is astonishing, as well as a charming song and dance with opera star Helen Traubel. It is supposedly based on the life of famed composer, Sigmund Romberg, and it is presented in typical MGM glossy style, but this was a composer of great melodies who deserved the plush treatment. This is a top-flight production that is well worth watching. You'll see additional numbers by Ann Miller, Howard Keel, Jane Powell and Rosemary Clooney!

Adventures of Don Juan (1948)

This would have been a great "swan song!"

[9/10 · 18 January 2007]

When we saw this epic swashbuckler on it's original release in the late 40s, little did we know that it was to be Errol Flynn's last great adventure/love story. It is still the essence of Flynn's screen personna, and it still brings joy to his fans. The only drawback here: Viveca Linfors is no Olivia deHavilland. Chemistry is sadly missing, but this is nit-picking. It is sumptuous on every level, and when a first-time viewer sees that staircase, a "WOW!" is to be be expected. Robert Douglas seemed to make a career of playing heavies, and in this film, he raises villainy to an art form. It has been a longtime coming, but THE ADVENTURES OF DON JUAN is finally available in DVD's glorious Technicolor reproduction. Let's wallow in it.

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)

One of Capra's best, but spoiled by fatal miscasting.

[8/10 · 17 November 2006]

THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN may very well be Frank Capra's first great film - out of many. The camera-work by Joseph Walker creates the oriental atmosphere that is so riveting. This is a story that was ahead of it's time in dealing with human relationships and racial prejudice, and it has a wonderful performance by Nils Asther as a Chinese warlord; it is his best work, and perhaps his last good role. The problem with this film is the casting of Barbara Stanwyck as the daughter of a missionary. Now, Barbara has given many good performances in her career, but this is not one of them. Say what you will, as a "type," she is one hard cookie. She simply couldn't play young innocence, and her acting, at times, is woefully inadequate. How much more moving this film could have been with, say, Loretta Young! You may find BITTER TEA is good enough to overcome this casting flaw, as it is a wonderful film. It is one classic which might benefit from a good re-make - one that is properly cast.

7th Heaven (1927)

The golden yardstick for measuring love stories!

[9/10 · 14 May 2006]

This love story is so much a product of its' era, a time of innocence and charm. The leads, Gaynor and Farrell, are simply perfect as the lovers who are parted by World War I. Janet Gaynor is beautiful and Charles Farrell is handsome. SEVENTH HEAVEN has it all: prostitution, romance, war, a sadistic whipping, and religion. It is melodramatic, to be sure, but this is part of the charm. It is a winner of multiple 1st Academy Awards, and deserves to be seen on DVD in a Fox release. Perhaps if we wrote to Fox Home Entertainment. They allowed that abysmal tape of SEVENTH HEAVEN to be circulated by Critics Choice. It's time to correct a bad judgment.