Hard to believe that this film, produced by the great Pandro Berman, directed by the formidable George Stevens & acted by a cast of A-list talent, led by Katharine Hepburn & Franchot Tone could turn out so poorly.
I think a lot of the fault lies in the way the movie was photographed. It's extremely stagy. As if the movie were being acted on a stage and simply shot.
Also, too much of the movie takes place in one house set. When the movie finally shifts locales it's SUCH a welcome relief. There are even some genuine outside shots that breathe fresh air into the movie. Unfortunately, they pass all to quickly and soon enough where back in that darn house room set!
Of course, the plot is rather silly made even more so by the fact that the "ten years older" version of Hepburn basically looks as if they simply didn't put any makeup on her. So when her character simply puts on a pretty dress, does her hair & puts on some makeup to transform her into her "niece" and Franchot Tone actually buys this, well of course it's ridiculous. But I suppose that's a classic Shakespearean device so who am I to quibble.
At least the movie DOES get better once Hepburn has to play both herself & her niece.
Still, the movie is ultimately forgettable.
I think small children might like it actually due to it's very simplistic and almost childish presentation.
Oh and poor Estelle Winwood really does look like Marty Feldman (Igor from 1974's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN).
I think a lot of the fault lies in the way the movie was photographed. It's extremely stagy. As if the movie were being acted on a stage and simply shot.
Also, too much of the movie takes place in one house set. When the movie finally shifts locales it's SUCH a welcome relief. There are even some genuine outside shots that breathe fresh air into the movie. Unfortunately, they pass all to quickly and soon enough where back in that darn house room set!
Of course, the plot is rather silly made even more so by the fact that the "ten years older" version of Hepburn basically looks as if they simply didn't put any makeup on her. So when her character simply puts on a pretty dress, does her hair & puts on some makeup to transform her into her "niece" and Franchot Tone actually buys this, well of course it's ridiculous. But I suppose that's a classic Shakespearean device so who am I to quibble.
At least the movie DOES get better once Hepburn has to play both herself & her niece.
Still, the movie is ultimately forgettable.
I think small children might like it actually due to it's very simplistic and almost childish presentation.
Oh and poor Estelle Winwood really does look like Marty Feldman (Igor from 1974's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN).