Midnight Oil:Movies and More

The Three Musketeers (1973) IMDb from the classic Alexandre Dumas novel sports an all-star cast befitting a sprawling swashbuckler that spans over two feature-length films. Included in the line-up are Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Oliver Reed and Frank Finlay. Also on display with an abundance of frillyness and    silliness are Raquel Welch, Faye Dunnaway, Geraldine Chaplin, Christopher Lee and Charlton Heston. Saddled with a plot that doesn't matter and  awkward costumes that do (there's something to do with the Queen's honour - or was it a love affair entangled with a diamond necklace and a conniving cardinal?) the actors  work hard to offer us un grand spectacle, as Michael York reminds us in his TVO interview. If  you're into frills and spills and not too much mental work, this may be the very film for your viewing pleasure.

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Catch the TVOntario video preview of both movies for the Three and even "The Four Musketeers" here.

See the video trailer for "The Three Musketeers" (1973)

"Father of the Bride" (1950) IMDb with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor provides an interesting look into the subject of marriage, weddings and father/daughter relationships. Joan Bennett plays the bride to be's mother and Don Taylor the prospective groom. A very young Liz Taylor makes for a convincing first-time bride while Tracy hams it up in the role of the doting daddy. While

the perspective on marriage and general naïvité of the young persons involved might seem a little odd for today's audience viewing this film, the dynamics of the internal family relationships may prove to be more familiar ground.

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Catch the video trailer for "Father of the Bride" here.

The Lady Eve (1941) IMDb, directed by Preston Sturgess, is a madcap comedy that showcases the talents of Babara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. Two of Hollywood's favourite stars shine brightly in this lighthearted romp wherein the rich but hapless Mr. Charles Pike falls like a ton of bricks for the conniving Miss Jean Harrigton. And then he does it again, this time with Miss Harrignton's alter-ego, the Lady Eve Sidwich, phony English accent and all. Charles Pike doesn't seem to take note of such inconsequential details, so taken up is he with the Lady Eve's charms. A thoroughly enjoyable film for fans of Ms. Stanwyck and Mr. Fonda as well as for enthusiasts of the screwball genre or this era.

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Catch the TVO  video preview of "The Lady Eve" (1941) here.

"To Catch a Thief" (1955)IMDb Hitchcock's romantic thriller packs in the glamour on the French Riviera. Always the gentleman, Cary Grant plays the super suave ex-cat burgler, Monsieur John Robie, opposite the exquisite and exciting Grace Kelly. Cary Grant, as Robie, is fingered for a series of robberies which he didn't commit and finds himself obliged to solve the mystery with the aid of the beatiful Ms. Kelly.

 

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 Catch the TVOntario video preview for  "To Catch a Thief" here.

"My Sister Eileen" 1955 INDb is chock full of a sunny optimism and great dance moves courtesy of Bob Fosse. Fosse as the underdog suitor of the highly attractive Eileen (Janet Leigh) is entirely unremarkable - until he puts on his dancing shoes, that is. Eileen's older sister, played by Betty Garrett, isn't a bad hoofer either as she tries every trick she knows to get published while in the Big Apple. My only regret is that we don't get to see Jack Lemmon graduate from charm school into a dance number. A song will have to do.

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Catch the video from the Interviews by TVO about "My Sister Eileen"

This film was screened with "Sweet Charity" also previously reviewed on Midnight Oil.

See Bob Fosse's wonderful coreography in this video segment from "My Sister Eileen" (1955)