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Bringing Up Baby (1938) Directed by Howard Hawks

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(Review originally written at 2 September 2008)

This is simply a fine enjoyable movie, despite not making an awful lot of sense to me with its story. I wouldn't quite call this a screwball comedy, even though it is listed basically everywhere as one and the movie is basically one big heap of strange and unusual but funny circumstances.


To be frank, the story and the way it progressed doesn't make much sense to me. Why on earth does Huxley keep seeing Susan, although he obviously doesn't like her too much and all she ever does is getting him in trouble. And why does he ever take all those things Susan says to him and asks of him. She's too wild and uncontrollable for him.


Cary Grant began his career with movies like this but ended up getting later more serious roles, for which he now days is also still best known, though always with a certain comical undertone. Katharine Hepburn is exactly known for her comical talents but she pulls of more than alright in her role. She had a lot of training prior to starting and during the filming of this movie to get her comical timing right, which paid off obviously.


The movie goes from the one strange situation into the other. This is basically all that "Bringing Up Baby" is all about. It doesn't exactly make this the best or most well written comedy but it obviously doesn't prevent the movie from being an enjoyable one. It's a movie that almost constantly entertains and the acting performances also make sure that the movie works out with what it tries to achieve, without ever getting tiresome or lame. It features some moments that will surely make you laugh.

An enjoyable movie from director Howard Hawks.


8/10


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Trouble in Paradise (1932) Directed by Ernst Lubitsch





(Review originally written at 5 March 2008)

It's quite a new and refreshing thing for a 1932 that the two main characters are lying thieves, who move around and operate in the higher circles of society. You of course sympathize for them nevertheless because of the very natural and straight-forward approach of the movie and its characters.

It's a subtle little comedy that is mostly fun in its dialog. This approach also makes it obvious that this movie was based on a stage-play. This sort of approach doesn't always translate as well to the big-screen as this movie does.

But what makes the movie mostly effective and such a good watch it its classy directing approach of the movie, by Ernst Lubitsch, which is quite dynamic, especially also for 1932 standards. It features camera-movements as well as at times some real fast editing.

It's a story that moves along pretty fast and pleasantly. The story is nothing too heavy or serious, which insures that the movie is a great pleasant watch. It of course is also all somewhat predictable but this in this particular case doesn't take away any of the enjoyment of the movie.

9/10

Love Me Tonight (1932) Directed by Rouben Mamoulian





(Review originally written at 1 January 2008)

This is one incredible charming musical/comedy, from the early '30's. And that coming from a non-musical fan of course says a lot.

It's not a musical with big dance acts, feather costumes, or anything of that sort but just a movie that happens to feature songs in it, which is the sort of musical approach I prefer. The characters would often burst into singing in the middle of the movie, which of course sounds totally ridicules but it's so charming and the songs are so nice that it attributes to what it is that makes this movie so irresistible, joyful and entertaining to watch. This is really not the sort of movie you would expect from the guy who had previously directed "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" before this movie.

Maurice Chevalier didn't had the best signing voice, also of course due to his accent and also especially compared to different genre actors from the same time period. Same goes for most of the actors within this movie. But I sort of like that he isn't perfect in his signing. It seems to fit the movie and its style.

The movie has got some nice cheerful innocent humor in it. The great fun but of course simple written script, contributes to the whole fun feeling and atmosphere of the movie.

The movie doesn't necessarily really has a typical '30's style and more seems ahead of its time. It also makes this movie feel less outdated than most others, especially from the same genre, movies.

The cinematography is really amazing at times. It moves a lot, with pans and also zooms. It makes the cinematography in parts pretty original and innovating for its time. The movie also features some other 'tricks', such as split-screen and slow-motion, among other things. Perhaps this has to do with the Russian origin of director Rouben Mamoulian. His style seems more innovating than most of his fellow Hollywood colleagues from the same time period. It all adds to the atmosphere and unique quality of the movie. It of course also helps that the movie is set in France and Paris. It always has been the best backdrop for these sort of movies. There also was obviously put some effort and money into the sets of the movie.

Some real quality entertainment! This is as good as they can get.

10/10

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