tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post2647774062193027975..comments2023-10-20T13:34:46.654-07:00Comments on Kevin's Movie Corner: The Mary Astor Blogathon: The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)Kevin Deanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-72446310297514723212013-05-23T21:27:31.920-07:002013-05-23T21:27:31.920-07:00Hi Kevin, I wasn't very clear about that quote...Hi Kevin, I wasn't very clear about that quote - it was Ronald Colman's daughter (in her biography of him) who called her dad's voice "dream distant."The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-90502232947200210432013-05-15T00:15:21.427-07:002013-05-15T00:15:21.427-07:00Thank you for great review of a film I love too, t...Thank you for great review of a film I love too, though I haven't seen it for years. I must seek it out. Colman and Carroll were perfect together . It had everything going for it, direction,photography and performances . <br />I never felt the same about the 50s remake which seemed a pale shadow compared to the original.<br /><br />Vienna's Classic HollywoodViennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06907591161822012949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-37190041473322920272013-05-13T12:55:47.380-07:002013-05-13T12:55:47.380-07:00Thank you to everyone for writing.
FlickChick, yo...Thank you to everyone for writing.<br /><br />FlickChick, you ask "What is not to like about this film?" I agree. It's a jewel.<br /><br />Rick: I like Jane Greer in the remake too, but Mary Astor is heartbreaking her her small, but pivotal role.<br /><br />Le: I hope you get to see it soon.<br /><br />Eve: I loved your daughter's description of Ronald Colman's voice. So true. Interesting to read Mary's views on being a featured player. She made the right decision. Few actresses would have followed iconic femme fatale roles in "The Maltese Falcon" and "Across the Pacific" two years later with a warm turn as a mother of (almost grown) teenage daughters in "Meet Me in St. Louis."<br /><br />Page: I've said it before and I'll say it again. you have excellent taste.<br /><br />CFB: I hope you get to see it again soon. It gets better with each viewing. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-35088398993450041782013-05-12T10:16:13.322-07:002013-05-12T10:16:13.322-07:00Excellent review of an excellent film. I haven'...Excellent review of an excellent film. I haven't seen it in a while, but it's a great one. A good addition to the Mary Astor blogathon. Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-80832413473340869892013-05-11T16:49:28.228-07:002013-05-11T16:49:28.228-07:00Kev,
Did you know that Prisoner of Zenda is my fav...Kev,<br />Did you know that Prisoner of Zenda is my favorite Coleman, Fairbanks Jr film and my favorite swashbuckling film? No? Ya do now. : )<br /><br />You could have just posted screen grabs of Doug and Ronald and I would have been happy but since this is a celebrate about Mary. ha ha<br /><br />While Madeleine was the star of the show here, Astor held her own. (I'm a huge Niven fan as well.) So she had her work cut out for her in this one. With that said, her resume with Don Q and Don Juan come to mind whenever I see her in this one. I always wonder if she reminisces while seeing Doug Jr light up the screen after getting to see, work with dad, the original swashbuckler in Zorro.<br /><br />Anyway, enough reminiscing. I really enjoyed your review and reading your perspective on a film I'm quite fond of was a perfect addition to the Astor Blogathon<br /><br />Have a great weekend, Kev!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-17413617193422913972013-05-11T14:00:42.897-07:002013-05-11T14:00:42.897-07:00Your enthusiasm for this film is simply oozing out...Your enthusiasm for this film is simply oozing out of my computer. I love it when someone feels so passionately about a film, especially when it isn't one that everyone has seen. Thanks for a great post and for sharing your love of "The Prisoner of Zenda" with us all.Lasso The Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03221402578681699727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-36895338503898530112013-05-10T19:58:53.461-07:002013-05-10T19:58:53.461-07:00Kevin, "The Prisoner of Zenda" is a grea...Kevin, "The Prisoner of Zenda" is a great favorite of mine, too, and I thoroughly enjoyed your enthusiastic - and insightful - review. Your reverence for Ronald Colman's voice reminded me of his daughter's description of it - she called it his "dream distant voice."<br /><br />In one of her books, probably "A Life on Film," Mary Astor wrote that she preferred being a 'featured player' rather than a 'star.' Seemed to have to do with the fact that stars are expected to 'carry' a picture and she didn't care for that responsibility. Nevertheless, she added so much to so many films. And she co-starred with some of the biggest stars in movie history, from John Barrymore during the silent era to James Dean during TV's Golden Age.<br /><br />Great piece!The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-69904865561977512542013-05-10T13:48:46.052-07:002013-05-10T13:48:46.052-07:00I have only watched the 1979 version with Peter Se...I have only watched the 1979 version with Peter Sellers and, let me tell you, I've considered this 1937 film for my blogathon entry, but changed my mind. yet, I really want to see it!<br />I really agre that, even as a sometimes supporting character, Mary is an essential part of some film's successes.<br />Don't forget my contribution to the blogathon!<br />Greetings!Lêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-9641215211229567072013-05-10T06:00:55.997-07:002013-05-10T06:00:55.997-07:00Kevin, this is my favorite Mary Astor film (though...Kevin, this is my favorite Mary Astor film (though I guess it's technically a Ronald Colman movie). The whole cast is delightful and I like your theory about Rupert charming the Hays Code folks. Well-written and insightful review. By the way, I also like Jane Greer in the role of Antoinette in the color remake.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-49597420673435876802013-05-09T17:31:13.195-07:002013-05-09T17:31:13.195-07:00Kevin - what is not to like about this film? You a...Kevin - what is not to like about this film? You are so right that Mary is "adult" - I think she always projected that quality.But it's hard not to kinda fall for Ms. Carroll.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-69851865495508630692013-05-09T11:26:06.530-07:002013-05-09T11:26:06.530-07:00SS, thanks for including me in the blogathon. Lots...SS, thanks for including me in the blogathon. Lots of good entries here. I hope you get to see the whole thing soon. The final two scenes are, for me, among the most memorable in movie history.<br /><br />Aubyn, yeah the 1952 version is almost a shot for shot remake. Even Alfred Newman's score is re-used. The duel is longer and more lavish than the older one. Curiously, both films run 101 minutes so there must have been some trims to make room for the duel. As much as I like Stewart Granger and Debora Kerr, even with the same dialouge from the 1937 version, they don't inject the words with the poetry and emotion that Colman and Carroll do so effortlessly. Still, it's worth seeing. <br /><br />Lipranzer, if "The Prisoner of Zenda" doesn't turn you into a Ronald Colman fan, then nothing will. I hope you get the chance to see it some day. Thanks for writing. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-76287454371948631862013-05-08T20:49:57.559-07:002013-05-08T20:49:57.559-07:00I have to admit, I'm not the biggest Ronald Co...I have to admit, I'm not the biggest Ronald Colman fan, but your write-up makes me want to check this film out at some point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-87642269596805683952013-05-08T17:27:40.650-07:002013-05-08T17:27:40.650-07:00So glad you chose to write about Zenda, Keven, sin...So glad you chose to write about <i>Zenda</i>, Keven, since it's one of my very favorites. It's a testament to the greatness of this one that in 1952, Richard Thorpe basically just threw up his hands and copied it shot-for-shot in his remake.<br /><br />Your comments about Mary Astor gave me plenty to think about. You're right that she gives a lot of real depth and sadness to a character with minimal development. <br /><br />I agree with you that Fairbanks was eminently worthy of an Oscar for his performance here. And I also love that goodbye scene. Incredibly moving.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-86869343177752046172013-05-08T16:32:53.824-07:002013-05-08T16:32:53.824-07:00Beautifully done, Kevin. Strangely, I have only ev...Beautifully done, Kevin. Strangely, I have only ever seen the middle of this movie, but your post reminds me that I need to make an effort to see the whole thing.<br /><br />This is a wonderful tribute to Mary Astor: "Hers is probably the most nuanced, and adult, portrayal in the movie." Well said.<br /><br />Thanks for participating in our blogathon!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-6840454771651204212013-05-08T14:20:34.782-07:002013-05-08T14:20:34.782-07:00Dorian, I hope you get the chance to see it one da...Dorian, I hope you get the chance to see it one day. I think you would like it. And thanks to you and Ruth for co-hosting the Mary Astor Blogathon. I'm slowly making my way through all the entries after being off line for several days. There's some great reading to be had. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-77110905957836040212013-05-08T13:38:19.794-07:002013-05-08T13:38:19.794-07:00Kevin, I've been wanting to catch up with the ...Kevin, I've been wanting to catch up with the 1937 version of THE PRISONER OF ZENDA for years, ever since my dear late mom, an avid Ronald Colman fan among her many other lovable qualities, showed them to on TV back when I was a wee young'un. Combine that with lovely young Mary Astor, and you've got me eager to see it ASAP! I loved your quip "I want to come back as Ronald Colman's speaking voice." Who can blame you? :-) I also very much liked your description of James Wong Howe and Ansel Adams' black-and-white photography, too. Thanks very for joining our Mary Astor Blogathon fun!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-1001525286102359382013-05-08T12:24:41.194-07:002013-05-08T12:24:41.194-07:00Patti, it's not that the 1952 version, a virtu...Patti, it's not that the 1952 version, a virtual scene for scene remake, save for the final dueling sequence, is bad. It isn't. Far from it. I'd say its above average. But it can't hold a candle to the 1937 version, where everything and everyone in it is pitch perfect. <br /><br />Jacqueline, it's my favorite too, but all the versions are good. TCM recently ran the 1922 silent version, and that's very entertaining. It seems to me a foolproof story, one very hard to mess up. I do admit though, I never saw the Peter Sellers comedy version.<br /><br />CW, yeah I kinda love this movie. While there's no such thing as a perfect movie, this one comes pretty darn close. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-91438066712469318092013-05-08T09:07:16.033-07:002013-05-08T09:07:16.033-07:00So ... you kinda like this movie, eh? I know how ...So ... you kinda like this movie, eh? I know how you feel. The lump in the throat, the tears in the eyes. The color re-make has a fine cast and apes the earlier film, but it doesn't have the same spark for me. There is only room in my heart for the '37 version. Oh, how I ache for a sequel with Rupert.<br /><br />It is true that Astor brings a certain grounding, a certain heart crashing reality to her role. She triumphs.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-57018264972032965242013-05-08T08:54:28.302-07:002013-05-08T08:54:28.302-07:00I love this movie and consider this version superi...I love this movie and consider this version superior to others. Excellent review that brought back so many memories and emotions. Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-51782593336845877952013-05-08T07:52:30.550-07:002013-05-08T07:52:30.550-07:00Terrific write-up of a fantastic movie, Kevin. We...Terrific write-up of a fantastic movie, Kevin. Well, maybe I should qualify that and say terrific write-up of a fantastic story, for I have never seen this particular movie. It's been in my DVR for months, but I just haven't had a chance to watch it. However, I do love the 1952 version of the film...it is my favorite Stewart Granger film. (Jane Greer has Mary Astor's role in that one.)<br /><br />It's such a great story. I definitely look forward to catching this version one of these days soon.Patti https://www.blogger.com/profile/12931836399684850729noreply@blogger.com