Reviews

A Sam Fuller-directed and scripted episode of the TV show The Virginian starring Lee Marvin and Lee J. Cobb is cobbled together with another episode (I assume) starring Charles Bronson to create this dreadful mess. Bizarre voice-overs, misplaced shots, and freeze-frames attempt to create the new plot. Utterly ludicrous and a disservice to a great filmmaker.

Roy Del Ruth delivers another firecracker entertainment. Loretta Young is a gorgeous, working girl along the lines of Ann Sothern's Maisie character. She rightfully wins the love of rich boy Robert Taylor with support from a feisty Patsy Kelly and interference from a deliciously snakey Rathbone. There's a perverse sexual undercurrent in Rathbone's performance that's a joy to watch. A pre-code gem!

The central relationship of the adoring street-wise kid (Cooper) and his devoted, boozing, gambling ex-champ Dad (Beery) is astonishing. We are observing behavior here, not acting. Cooper gives the best child performance I've ever seen and Beery is utterly human, flawed and unforgettable.

This film is full of terrific moments - comedy and heartbreak. The friendship between Cooper and his black pal is beautifully color-blind. When Cooper states, "He's colored," it's with a child's open, untainted honesty. I find King Vidor's films to always resonate with humanity and compassion. He was one of our greatest filmmakers as Frances Marion was one of our greatest screenwriters.

Insipid attempt to go the Clueless (which succeeded admirably) route of using classical literature as a template for a high school romantic comedy. Borrows Shrew's names and a fraction of plot and goes nowhere fast. Neither Kate nor her Petruchio have any sense of danger or true bravado in their souls. Listening to Letters to Cleo hardly defines a high school rebel. Limp direction and tired rock and roll covers.