Noirvember: Stage Fright (1950)

Although I am far from an expert of Alfred Hitchcock, I always like to think that I have seen much of his filmography. I haven't. I think every film fan spends some time exploring his numerous classics, but it's easy to remember just how many films he made. Okay, the silents are easier to overlook, and perhaps less essential (although I have a nice boxset coming my way that will allow me to make up my own mind shortly), but there always seems to be one or two relatively big title that sits in a blind spot for some people. Stage Fright was one of those movies for me. I wonder if it was one I kept forgetting about because of the title being re-used a couple of times in the horror genre. 

Richard Todd plays Jonathan Cooper, a man who ends up on the run when some major evidence points to him having murdered the husband of stage performer Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich). Relying on the goodwill of a friend, Eve (Jane Wyman), Jonathan tries to stay hidden while police investigate the case and try to locate him. Eve also enlists the help of her father (played by Alastair Sim), ends up in an undercover role working for Charlotte, and starts to develop a bond with Detective Inspector Wilfred O. Smith (Michael Wilding) which could complicate things further.

Adapted from Selwyn Jepson's novel (Man Running AKA Outrun The Constable AKA Killer By Proxy) by the talented Alma Reville and Whitfield Cook, this is a typically dark and delightful feature from Hitchcock, one that has an abundance of dark comedy running in between the moments of tension. In fact, almost any scene with Sim front and centre is on par with anything from an outright comedy of this time (particularly his scene with Joyce Grenfell, who spends a lot of time shouting out "lovely ducks" to encourage people to try their hand at the fairground shooting gallery).

As good as the material is, in terms of the characters and the ongoing attempt to prove the innocence of a man who keeps looking increasingly guilty, Stage Fright is as wonderfully entertaining as it is thanks to the cast. Sim is undoubtedly a highlight, but scenes that show Dietrich performing the routines that make her character such a beloved success are so mesmerising that nobody should really mind the fact that the plot comes to a standstill while we get to enjoy a couple of good songs from the blonde bombshell. Wyman is an appealing lead, but she is overshadowed by the likes of Kay Walsh (playing a housekeeper who hopes to profit from the situation) and the aforementioned Grenfell. As for the other men onscreen, Todd and Wilding are disappointingly bland, but they're essentially pawns being moved around the board until things come to a crucial point when some kind of victory can be celebrated.

In hindsight, it's actually quite easy to see why I kept forgetting to check this out. It wasn't just to do with the title. There aren't any big set-pieces here, the real star turns are mostly tucked away in the supporting roles, and it just lacks that refined Hitchcock brilliance. It still deserves to be seen though, especially if you're a fan of Dietrich, Sim, Walsh, or Grenfell. I had a lot of fun with it, but I suspect I may struggle to remember much of it in a month or two. It has certainly reminded me that I want to watch even more Hitchcock films though, as well as more films featuring the brilliant Dietrich.

7/10

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The Sword And The Rose (1953)

A Disney swashbuckler with little swash or buckle, The Sword And The Rose somehow remains a good adventure yarn that takes a number of liberties with some historical figures.

It is the reign of Henry VIII (James Robertson Justice) and he is determined to send his sister, Princess Mary Tudor (Glynis Johns), to wed Louis XII (Jean Mercure). But Princess Mary Tudor has other plans, she is headstrong anyway and this is made worse when she falls for Charles Brandon (Richard Todd). Of course, any plans that the good lady has to be with Charles, a common man, places them both in severe jeopardy and the situation is worsened by the scheming of the smitten Duke Of Buckingham (Michael Gough).

Directed by Ken Annakin, with a screenplay by Lawrence Edward Watkin based on the novel "When Knighthood Was In Flower" by Charles Major, there's a lot here to enjoy even if nothing stands out as truly great.

The biggest bonus for the film comes from the performances. Todd is a fine hero and Johns is both beautiful and sassy. James Robertson Justice is highly entertaining as Henry VIII and Michael Gough makes a great, scheming villain.

It also runs for a brisk 92 minutes and so never outstays its welcome. As an outright adventure it may not have quite enough energy or derring-do but as an entertaining tale that mixes romance, comedy, treachery and some grand feats I'd have to say that this edges ahead of the similiar treatment that director and writer gave to the Robin Hood story. It's a mix of tunics, tights, technicolor and even one or two amusingly risque (for the time) moments that will keep you entertained for the duration.

Oh, one last thing, the scene in which Glynis Johns tries to pass herself off as a boy in order to stay close to Richard Todd is, surely, one of the most unconvincing attempts by a woman to appear as a man and also an inspiration for the great use of the character "Bob" in a number of Blackadder episodes. Watch the movie and tell me I'm wrong.

7/10

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rose-1953-region-Richard-Directed-Annakin/dp/788588385X/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1339755907&sr=1-1

The Story Of Robin Hood And His Merrie Men (1952)

The first take on the Robin Hood tale by Disney is a live action effort that makes for an enjoyable enough viewing but suffers from one major failing, it's surpassed by almost every other Robin Hood movie ever made, including the animated Disney outing.

Everyone knows the tale of Robin Hood, the details may differ but the basics remain the same in most tellings - Robin (Richard Todd takes the role here) is an accomplished bowman who becomes an outlaw after the king he is loyal to embarks on the crusades and leaves a conniving prince in charge (Hubert Gregg), he has an ongoing nemesis in the shape of the Sheriff Of Nottingham (Peter Finch) but is always helped by his band of merry men, including Little John (James Robertson Justice), Friar Tuck (James Hayter) and Will Scarlet (Anthony Forwood). He also has a bit of chemistry with Maid Marian (Joan Rice).

Enjoyable enough for what it is, this movie simply disappoints for what it isn't. It's not a swashbuckler in the style of THE great Robin Hood movie, it's not a slice of far-fetched fun in the style of the animated version, it's got no grit (the light treatment is to be expected, of course, what with this being a Disney family movie) and although it has a few great cast members it lacks the star power that we've seen in certain notable blockbuster interpretations.

The script by Lawrence Edward Watkin and the direction by Ken Annakin are both perfectly reasonable for the style of the movie. There's nothing bad here, it's just that there's nothing special either. No sense of excitement during the moments of daring, no tension, no real thrills. It's all just decidedly average.

The cast are, overall, suited to their roles. Richard Todd is likeable enough in the lead role while Peter Finch is an enjoyable weasel of a villain. James Robertson Justice, Anthony Forwood and Hubert Gregg all do well while James Hayter ends up being a bit irritating, more due to the writing of his character than any major flaw in his performance. There are also good turns from Patrick Barr, Michael Hordern, Martita Hunt, Hal Osmond and Bill Owen. But I've saved the best praise for last, the lovely Joan Rice certainly ranks up there as one of the most beautiful Maid Marians ever and her presence lifts the movie out of the doldrums and makes the love story between Marian and Robin very easy to believe in.

I guess the movie holds up as something that would easily pass the time on a rainy afternoon but it's a Robin Hood film that languishes buried beneath a pile of superior Robin Hood films.

6/10

http://www.amazon.com/Story-Robin-Hood-Peter-Finch/dp/B001TPGNBK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337518111&sr=8-2