Review of Salome (1953) by Cha T — 18 Jun 2008
A bamboozled hodgepodge of Wildean viz. Biblical subplots, a boscage of Orientalism, and hammy overacting. Charles Laughton (repulsive as Herod Antipas) and Dame Judith Anderson (a meretricious viper as Herodias) chew the scenery, though their performances are generally delightful and appropriately overcooked.
Regrettably, Sir Cedric Hardwicke is limited to a rather bland scene as Tiberius Caesar, and Basil Sydney is reduced to a rather meager impression as Pontius Pilate; Alan Badel seems somewhat more like an extra from an imperial court scene in a Cecil B.
DeMille epic than a raving lunatic and, therefore, is not exactly bonkers enough to portray John the Baptist. Rita Hayworth is certainly ravishing as Salome, but that is the extent of her mastery; she captures all the fluttering, feminine sexuality, yet she conveys none of the effete decadence, cruelly imperious superciliousness, and wanton desire of Wilde's (and Strauss') Judean princess, the depraved "daughter of Sodom" denounced by the Baptist.
Stewart Granger merely occupies space. An interesting disaster by William Dieterle.
This review of Salome (1953) was written by Cha T on 18 Jun 2008.
Salome has generally received mixed reviews.
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