Re: The June 2014 TCM Schedule
Posted: June 21st, 2014, 8:56 am
Okey-dokey. Now I understand why I have never seen Against All Flags (1952) before. Despite the overly bright colors of the film's relentlessly lit cinematography (a sad reality in too many '50s studio products, alas), it is a bit wan when it comes to derring-do, with too much heavy breathing from Anthony Quinn for me. "Less is more, Tony," came to mind several times.
A slightly bleary-looking Errol Flynn did a good job in his two-handed scenes with Maureen O'Hara, though a director other than George Sherman might have encouraged a bit less of the increasingly tedious "Spitfire!" aspect of her character and much more of the "highly capable but emotionally naive" characterization. Best of all: Mildred Natwick as the Scottish governess of the Caliph's nubile daughter. Flynn & Mildred should have had more scenes together. I loved it when he asked her to give him the pistol she was hiding in her underwear.
The rest of the pirate features with Mr. Flynn last night on TCM were sublime--esp. The Sea Hawk (1940), which made me appreciate all over again the artistry and craftsmanship of the studio system, especially in that compelling opening sequence. Wouldn't it be great to see this movie on the big screen?
A slightly bleary-looking Errol Flynn did a good job in his two-handed scenes with Maureen O'Hara, though a director other than George Sherman might have encouraged a bit less of the increasingly tedious "Spitfire!" aspect of her character and much more of the "highly capable but emotionally naive" characterization. Best of all: Mildred Natwick as the Scottish governess of the Caliph's nubile daughter. Flynn & Mildred should have had more scenes together. I loved it when he asked her to give him the pistol she was hiding in her underwear.
The rest of the pirate features with Mr. Flynn last night on TCM were sublime--esp. The Sea Hawk (1940), which made me appreciate all over again the artistry and craftsmanship of the studio system, especially in that compelling opening sequence. Wouldn't it be great to see this movie on the big screen?