First, I highly recommend one read the Wikipedia article about this film before viewing it. It's pretty entertaining reading, and gives one some background as to just how important a film this was at the time.
It was not that popular, and critics were not fond of it at the time, either. But, according to Wikipedia, the attitude of critics toward the film has "mellowed". And, in my view, deservedly so.
First, this is an ideal film for Deborah Kerr, although she was new to the public at that time (this was her first American film), so the public didn't yet know how to peg her. In a sense, this is "An Affair To Remember" in reverse. Kerr is enchanted -- reluctantly so -- by Gable, who is the complete opposite of Cary Grant. Instead of suave and sophisticated, he's a big rough around the edges...a huckster in all of life. And, this is no light comedy or traditional romance. No, it's an expose of sorts of the advertising business of the time...though some things still run pretty true. Gable is also perfect here. Can't you just see Gable as huckster? It's a paring that works.
The supporting actors here are very strong. Knowing his politics, it's sometimes difficult for me to like Adolphe Menjou, but here as the advertising executive he's very good. Sydney Greenstreet is perfectly (word intended) obnoxious here as the spoiled rotten (literally) sponsor...particularly in one rather daring scene where you see him hawk a spit on the boardroom table. I'm not a fan of Ava Gardner's, but she's very pleasant here as the singer. And, Edward Anrold is great as a talent agent, though his role is not large.
This is a very watchable film, but a rather serious one. Recommended! And perhaps one for your DVD shelf.
It was not that popular, and critics were not fond of it at the time, either. But, according to Wikipedia, the attitude of critics toward the film has "mellowed". And, in my view, deservedly so.
First, this is an ideal film for Deborah Kerr, although she was new to the public at that time (this was her first American film), so the public didn't yet know how to peg her. In a sense, this is "An Affair To Remember" in reverse. Kerr is enchanted -- reluctantly so -- by Gable, who is the complete opposite of Cary Grant. Instead of suave and sophisticated, he's a big rough around the edges...a huckster in all of life. And, this is no light comedy or traditional romance. No, it's an expose of sorts of the advertising business of the time...though some things still run pretty true. Gable is also perfect here. Can't you just see Gable as huckster? It's a paring that works.
The supporting actors here are very strong. Knowing his politics, it's sometimes difficult for me to like Adolphe Menjou, but here as the advertising executive he's very good. Sydney Greenstreet is perfectly (word intended) obnoxious here as the spoiled rotten (literally) sponsor...particularly in one rather daring scene where you see him hawk a spit on the boardroom table. I'm not a fan of Ava Gardner's, but she's very pleasant here as the singer. And, Edward Anrold is great as a talent agent, though his role is not large.
This is a very watchable film, but a rather serious one. Recommended! And perhaps one for your DVD shelf.