I just watched this. I didn't know what to expect except for a zany rom-com. I've liked to loved all the Sturges I've seen up to this point, but nothing prepared me for this.
SPIOLARZ!
Like, I didn't realize that the perfect murder scenario was just a fantasy in Sir Carter's mind until the camera backed out of his eyeball. Of course, the second and third fantasies I recognized as such, but the change in tone had already knocked my head sideways. When the head-wound in the Russian Roulette fantasy appeared onscreen, I was shocked again. I didn't think they could do that in 1948! A few minutes later, when that poor bastard tries to put his evil plan into action in real life, I think I sprained my laughbone. Then the happy ending literally moved me to tears.
Best movie, full stop.
― Oilyrags, Sunday, 1 July 2007 23:15 (eighteen years ago)
The whole camera coming out of his eyes bit seemed pretty fresh for a film of that vintage, and the bits with the recording record player are a total riot.
Apparently it wasn't very popular when it came out because Harrison had just left his wife for one of his costars, so I think it tends to get overlooked.
― patita, Sunday, 1 July 2007 23:46 (eighteen years ago)
Recording record player YES!!!!!
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Sunday, 1 July 2007 23:48 (eighteen years ago)
I can imagine that it might flop because its a zany romantic comedy with an experimental (emphasis on the MENTAL, plz) trio of grisly, morbid reveries embedded right in the middle of it. One minute you're grinning at slapstick collars popping off, then suddenly you're watching a man slash his wife to death with a straight razor.
― Oilyrags, Sunday, 1 July 2007 23:50 (eighteen years ago)
No fooling, the Simplicitas with it's simple easy-to-follow diagram on page six...
― Oilyrags, Sunday, 1 July 2007 23:51 (eighteen years ago)
Hilarious movie.
― Michael White, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:24 (eighteen years ago)
Edgar Kennedy is great... "You handle Handel like nobody handles Handel. And your Delius - delirious!"
― Dr Morbius, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:29 (eighteen years ago)
Not my favorite Sturges – the pace is uneven in places – but definitely my favorite Rex Harrison movie and performance.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:30 (eighteen years ago)
Even if the timing is off, and I'm not sure I agree, I've never seen anything else from the period that tried to get laughs out of murder and suicide, much less succeeded at getting awesome laughs from them. That counts for a lot with me.
― Oilyrags, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:36 (eighteen years ago)
^ Chaplin's Monsieur Verdoux ^
(that may be the same YEAR)
― Dr Morbius, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:37 (eighteen years ago)
I'll keep my eyes peeled.
― Oilyrags, Monday, 2 July 2007 14:38 (eighteen years ago)
Why didn't anyone say anything about "Divorce Italian Style"?
You have let me down, ILX!
― Oilyrags, Thursday, 28 August 2008 17:22 (seventeen years ago)
Pietro Germi C/D, S/D?
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 28 August 2008 18:37 (seventeen years ago)
I Love Film? Is that still there?
― Oilyrags, Thursday, 28 August 2008 20:53 (seventeen years ago)
It's a ghost ship, inhabited only by its commander, like William Windom on the USS Intrepid.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Thursday, 28 August 2008 21:36 (seventeen years ago)