Review of The Awful Truth (1937) by Hannah C — 25 Jul 2006

[b]The Awful Truth[/b].

I went into this not sure what to expect. I bought the [b]Cary Grant Box Set[/b] on Friday (the one released this year by Columbia), basically because Jen loves Cary Grant, and I had only seen [b]Arsenic and Old Lace[/b] at the time and loved it.

So I gues it would be fair to say that I was expecting somewhat the same thing...off-the-wall screwball comedy. While it's definitely not as off-the-wall as [b]Arsenic and Old Lace[/b], and Grant's performance isn't nearly as bonkers, it is still a fantastic and hilarious film, with Grant stealing the show as always :D.

This line had me laughing for about 5 minutes...

[b]Jerry Warriner:[/b] What do we drink to?

[b]Lucy Warriner:[/b] Well, let's drink to our future. Here's hoping you and Barbara will be very happy...which I doubt very much.

[b]Jerry Warriner:[/b] No, let's drink to your happiness with Buffalo Bill...which doesn't even make sense.

It was really great to see Grant and Dunne constantly at each other's throats yet so obviously and completely in love.

I really, really enjoyed this movie and I can't wait to check out the rest of the set.

A good, solid 8.

[b]Phantom of the Opera[/b] (1962).

This version of Gaston Leroux's work, this time by Hammer, is very, very different. First of all, it stars Herbert Lom (remembered best for his work as Chief Inspector Dreyfuss in the [b]Pink Panther[/b] films) as the Phantom, who is also a much more tragic and sympathetic character with much more of a background story than, say, the 1925 Lon Chaney film.

It also stars Michael Gough (Alfred of the Michael Keaton [b]Batman[/b] films) as Lord Ambrose D'Arcy, the villain.

Surprisingly, both of these leads are very convincing, and the very simplistic mask worn by the Phantom is actually quite effective.

Oh how wonderful it would have been, however, if Cary Grant had agreed to play the romantic lead which was written for him. He even showed interest in being involved, but, ultimately, turned it down.

It's a good, solid film with beautiful sets, but alas doesn't compare to the 1925 silent.

7.