MAKSQUIBS CINEMATHEQUE: THE GORGEOUS HUSSY (1936)

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Like just about everyone with an interest in the movies, I'm watching more films on DVD and going out to movie houses a lot less. Convenience trumps the better experience.
Of course, you lose audience interaction and the poor film now has to compete with all the comforts of home.
It's a bit like seeing Rembrandts & Titians in a book reproduction, or from posters with iffy color values, no texture or weight to the surface and the wrong dimensions . . . all while snacking on chips & soda. (Oops! You get that at your local cinema,too.)
The ease of instant movie gratification risks turning an art form (well, sometimes) into little more than low-grade eye-candy & mindfodder. So, maybe it's worthwhile to write a bit down on what we're all viewing, just to keep fully engaged.

DVDs: the latest opiate of the people meets the internet, where everyone's a critic.
God help us.

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Sunday, February 25, 2024

THE GORGEOUS HUSSY (1936)

Everyone in-front & behind the camera/above & below the line is at their worst in this inert period historical, stiffer than the Petticoat that gave name to this Andrew Jackson political scandal.* Joan Crawford, never at ease in period pieces (or in flouncy clothes), is Peggy O’Neal Eaton, serial inamorata to Virginia Senator Melvyn Douglas, Navy hunk Robert Taylor, Man-about-town James Stewart, Cabinet Secretary Franchot Tone; as well as enjoying the personal protection of President Lionel Barrymore . . . er, Andrew Jackson. More sinned against than sinning (in this telling), her choice of romantic chaperones always blowing up in her face. In some ways, it’s Crawford’s PARNELL/’37, the Clark Gable mega-flop historical. Only this one somehow made money. All those stars*; and just as many in support. A pity, too, as whenever we leave the romance and head to the Capital, you can faintly make out the proto-Civil War story wasted here.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY: *And that includes producer Joseph L. Mankiewicz, hotly being wooed to take over from mortally ill production head Irving G. Thalberg, and ex-wooer of Crawford whose recent marriage to co-star Tone was already on the rocks.

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID/LINK: *Taylor suddenly a major star after a loan-out to Universal for MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION/’35. Above-the-title second billing (and extra curly hair!) in spite of getting killed off at the end of act one, a mere 41" into the film. Even Janet Leigh lasts longer than that before her much discussed early demise in PSYCHO/’60. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2009/08/magnificent-obsession-1935.html

WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK: Underrated contract director Clarence Brown lives down to his mediocre rep on this one. At least the film earned out; more than can be said for his next, CONQUEST/’37, a real money pit for Garbo & Charles Boyer. Yet, these two disappointments followed by one of his best (and least known) films, OF HUMAN HEARTS/’38. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2019/07/conquest-1937.html https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2020/01/of-human-hearts-1938.html

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ERNST LUBITSCH

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Sunday, February 25, 2024

THE GORGEOUS HUSSY (1936)

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