btotten2 Reviews

The Robe (1953)

"The Robe": first movie RELEASED in CinemaScope, but not the first produced in this process.

[7 December 2001]

This movie is one of my favorites, and with the letterboxed editions available now, especially if you have a stereo VCR and SurroundSound hook-up, make it the next best thing to seeing it in it's heyday in 1953 at a fully equipped, first-run engagement in CinemaScope and Color by DeLuxe.

However, "How to Marry a Millionaire" was the first movie to be filmed in 20th Century Fox's "revolutionary" new process CinemaScope and was already in the can ready to be released, however, 20th Century Fox delayed the film's release and instead unleashed "The Robe" just before Easter instead. "The Robe" became a staple of network TV "event" movies like the "Wizard of Oz" and was regularly broadcast on ABC during the 60s and 70s; now, it's been supplanted by a more polytheistic movie: "The Ten Commandments".

The "who was first in CinemaScope" issue is a nitpicking point but something of interest to film bugs like me. It doesn't detract from my enjoyment of "The Robe" at all. If you liked "The Robe", be sure to rent or buy "Sign of the Cross" (1932 - and make sure you get the restored version released on video after 1992 or thereabouts). This is a more violent and depraved Rome than that portrayed in "The Robe" (probably reflecting the violent and depraved times of Depression era America rather than the Eisenhower insulated 1950s that "The Robe" emulates).

The Innocents (1961)

Fantastic Movie!

[10/10 · 9 October 2001]

I saw this movie for the first time at a theater when I was about 11 at a revival house and it scared the crap out of me! Watched it again at my family's summer home on TV one night when I was up there all alone and it did the same thing. For all of you who feel it's overacted and S-L-O-W, it's the imagination thing, the setting up of things, the atmosphere and so right as one of you said, it could not work in color. It's like old-time radio: you just have to let yourself go. Everyone is right, the cinematography is great. The film is not as good as it could have been, probably, but still a good movie to rent, own or see if you are fortunate enough to live in a city that has a revival cinema that showcases such movies as this.

The French Line (1953)

If you ever get a chance to see this movie in 3-D run, don't walk!

[10/10 · 9 October 2001]

1982, a small neighborhood theatre in my hometown. A double feature of "The French Line" and a Universal film (both Technicolor and 3-D). "The French Line" was a hoot and a half! When the posters outside of the theatre proclaimed "JR in 3D!", they really meant what they said. During several musical numbers, when she would turn from profile and face the camera with her chest thrust out: watch out! You almost felt you should move away from the screen. It's not "Gentlemen to Prefer" blondes, but the total 1950s of it, the tacky musical numbers (no tackiness on Russell's part, though, as she was a capable singer) and that "just hold on feeling" you got from an RKO production when the studio was going through it's death throes, came through. A delightful movie, and, although, I am not a Jane Russell fan, I admire her as a performer and a very capable actress. She carries the movie through on star power. A couple of costumes in the movie caused the movie to be condemned by the Catholic League of Decency in the USA as "unfit for all". How times have changed! Like a previous reviewer said, it could not only be shown on the Disney Channel, but probably already has, and on a Sunday morning, too! I've seen the movie on AMC, and the video transfers are horrible, but if you ever, EVER get a chance to see it in a theatre in 3-D, run, don't walk. You'll have a great time.