Sunday, 19 July 2020
Saturday, 18 July 2020
The Bad Sister (1931)
Marianne falls in love with a con artist who has a hidden agenda.
Contrived and wooden melodrama with a remarkable cast, and no, Bette Davis doesn't play the title role.
Halliwell (no star): "A teenager potboiler of its day, remarkable only for its cast."
Maltin**: "...stilted early-talkie melodrama. Davis, in her film debut, is wasted..."
Friday, 17 July 2020
Thursday, 16 July 2020
Anastasia (1956)
An opportunistic Russian businessman tries to pass a mysterious impostor as the Grand Duchess Anastasia. But she is so convincing in her performance that even the biggest skeptics believe her.
Well-produced Hollywood entertainment, typically without any sense for historical accuracy, works due to its excellent cast, but does have some over-the-top melodramatic moments.
Halliwell**: "Slick, highly theatrical entertainment for the upper classes; it dazzles and satisfies without drawing any light on history."
Maltin****: "Inspired casting makes this film exceptional...High point: confrontation scene in which Hayes as grand duchess must determine if girl is her relative."
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