With great actors like Joan Crawford and James Stewart, how could 'The Ice Follies of 1939' possibly go wrong? Also like musicals and ice skating (seen especially with Sonja Henie) has dazzled on film. So 'The Ice Follies of 1939' had a lot going for it.
Sadly, 'The Ice Follies of 1939' did go wrong. Badly wrong. It is among the worst films for both Crawford and Stewart and career-worsts for them in terms of performances. Very little of 'The Ice Follies of 1939' works, but it is not irredeemable by all means, then again this is coming from somebody who always tries to see good in bad films. The best thing about the film is the ice skating sequences, in both choreography and dancing they are dazzling and where 'The Ice Follies of 1939' sparkles the most.
The production values are another redeeming quality. It is a beautiful-looking film and looks expensive, shot in gorgeous rich Technicolor and lavishly produced in the set design. The costumes are both distinguished and elegant. The music has energy and pathos and fares well on its own as well as within the film.
Unfortunately, neither Crawford or Stewart are on top form, quite the opposite. Crawford tries but overdoes it, while Stewart simply walks through his role. They do in all fairness have a pathetic script to work with that is impossible to rescue at any rate. As do the rest of the cast that fail to distinguish themselves in forgettable roles other than perhaps Lew Ayres (Lewis Stone is pretty wasted).
The script is just full of clunky rambling dialogue, sickly sentimentality, badly written clichés and the cringe factor. The underdeveloped and flat characters also don't help, even the best of actors old and new would struggle to do anything with them.
Nor the mostly non-existent story, and when there is a hint of one it's tired and contrived with terribly dull pacing and scenes that go on for too long. Reinhold Schunzel's direction throughout is incredibly dreary.
In conclusion, sparkles in three areas, melts completely everywhere else. 3/10 Bethany Cox
Sadly, 'The Ice Follies of 1939' did go wrong. Badly wrong. It is among the worst films for both Crawford and Stewart and career-worsts for them in terms of performances. Very little of 'The Ice Follies of 1939' works, but it is not irredeemable by all means, then again this is coming from somebody who always tries to see good in bad films. The best thing about the film is the ice skating sequences, in both choreography and dancing they are dazzling and where 'The Ice Follies of 1939' sparkles the most.
The production values are another redeeming quality. It is a beautiful-looking film and looks expensive, shot in gorgeous rich Technicolor and lavishly produced in the set design. The costumes are both distinguished and elegant. The music has energy and pathos and fares well on its own as well as within the film.
Unfortunately, neither Crawford or Stewart are on top form, quite the opposite. Crawford tries but overdoes it, while Stewart simply walks through his role. They do in all fairness have a pathetic script to work with that is impossible to rescue at any rate. As do the rest of the cast that fail to distinguish themselves in forgettable roles other than perhaps Lew Ayres (Lewis Stone is pretty wasted).
The script is just full of clunky rambling dialogue, sickly sentimentality, badly written clichés and the cringe factor. The underdeveloped and flat characters also don't help, even the best of actors old and new would struggle to do anything with them.
Nor the mostly non-existent story, and when there is a hint of one it's tired and contrived with terribly dull pacing and scenes that go on for too long. Reinhold Schunzel's direction throughout is incredibly dreary.
In conclusion, sparkles in three areas, melts completely everywhere else. 3/10 Bethany Cox