Shirley MacLaine

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_MacLaine

Being There (1979)

A simpleminded, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful businessman and an insider in Washington politics.

From memory: Excellent oddball satire on American life and politics with lots of witty dialogie, and Sellers' and MacLaine's performances are spot on.

Halliwel**: "Overlong serio-comic parable hinging on a somewhat dubious star performance. Chance made it a popular urban success, but few who saw it were enthused."

Maltin**1/2: "Low-keyed black humor, full of savagely witty comments on American life in the telvision age, but fatally overlong."

Artists and Models (1955)

Woman Times Seven (1967)

Seven mini-stories of adultery: "Funeral Possession," a wayward widow at her husband's funeral; "Amateur Night," angry wife becomes streetwalker out of revenge; "Two Against One," seemingly prudish girl turns out otherwise; "Super Simone," wife vainly attempts to divert her over-engrossed writer husband; "At the Opera," a battle over a supposedly exclusive dress; "Suicides," a death pact; "Snow," would-be suitor is actually a private detective hired by jealous husband.

Slight and not really that amusing gender comedy without any depth; Shirley MacLaine is the only attraction in this anthology.

Halliwell (no star): "Humourless after-dinner entertainment."

Maltin***: "...some funny moments, some perceptive comments, but with that cast and director, it should have been much better."

The Trouble with Harry (1955)

The trouble with Harry is that he's dead, and everyone seems to have a different idea of what needs to be done with his body.

Likable, but not too malicious black comedy; quite slow-paced and light-weighted which is remarkable considering it's a Hitchcock movie.

Halliwell**: "Black comedy that never quite, despite bright moments, catches the style of the book; however, it is finely performed and the autumnal backgrounds are splendid."

Maltin***: "Offbeat, often hilarious black comedy...Gwenn is fine as usual, MacLaine appealing in her first film. Beautiful autumn locations, whimsical score (his first for Hitch) by Bernard Herrmann."

Hot Spell (1958)

 

 

A housewife is doing her best to keep her family together as it's slowly falling apart, a fact she's trying to ignore.

 

White-knuckled family drama and tragedy almost overdoes it, but is saved thanks to the brilliant cast. 

Halliwell*: "Overwrought domestic drama slipping perilously close to farce at times, but a good theatrical vehicle for its stars."

Maltin**: "Well-acted but dated drama...MacLaine shines as their daughter."

Bewitched (2005)

Thinking he can overshadow an unknown actress in the part, an egocentric actor unknowingly gets a witch cast in an upcoming television remake of the classic show "Bewitched."

Lacklustre romantic comedy that is not that amusing and leaves one wondering, why any girl would fall for this guy.

Maltin**: "Postmodern riff on the popular 1960s TV series...Inoffensive comedy allows Kidman to be cute, but has no genuine emotions or sentiments because its premise is so cpmpletely artificial."

Gambit (1966)

An English cat burglar needs a Eurasian dancer's help to pull off the perfect heist, but even the most foolproof schemes have a way of backfiring.

Likable, but not too exciting heist comedy; as so often,  Shirley MacLaine makes it worth the while.

Halliwell**: "An enjoyable light pattern of cross and double cross is well sustained to the end."

Maltin***: "Gimmicky robbery yarn...great fun."