Reviews (29)

Bergman shines in religious epic
Overlong but fairly engrossing bio of Gladys Aylward, an English-woman who, despite her lack of qualifications, becomes a missionary in China. The film is episodic and covers Aylward's brief career as a parlor maid (saving money for her trip to China), her journey to China, her work at the Inn of the Sixth Happiness and the Chinese-Japanese war which results in her guiding 100+ children in an arduous journey through the mountains to a safer village. I didn't find the film as moving as other reviewers but it is well mounted and nice to look at. Bergman is outstanding as are other supporting players, most notably Curt Jergens and Robert Donat. This was Donat's last film (he died before it was released) and his last screen words are prophetic - "We shall not see each other again, I think. Farewell."

What is most notable about this dvd release is the excellent commentary by Nick Redman, Aubrey Solomon and Donald Spoto. Redman talks about the real Gladys Aylward, Solomon talks about the film production and Spoto discusses Ingrid Bergman. There were many things changed for the film version and many of them are small and inexplicable. For example, Aylward's given Chinese name was Ai-weh-deh (not Jenai), an adopted child was actually named Ninepence (Sixpense in the movie), etc. Other changes were more larger in scope - Aylward's journey to China was quite harsh and she almost died several times. The inn-keeper, Jeanne Lawson (memorably played by Athene Seyler) was no as agreeable a woman as portrayed in the film - she was actually a cantankerous person prone to fits and thought to be quite mad by the villagers. Aylward herself was thought by many to be fanatical and to put it bluntly, off her rocker. Many other fascinating aspects about the film and the women (both Aylward and Bergman) are included.

A must for every video library ! An inspiring tear-jerker !!
One rainy afternoon I was channel surfing and came across this movie and fortunately for me it was very close to the beginning. I was so drawn into the story and captivated by Ingrid Bergman's performance that I forgot I was even watching television!! This is one of the most touching and moving stories I have ever seen and (I won't give this part of the movie away) when the Chinese gave "Gladys" a new name and what that translated to in English I thought I was going to go through a whole box of tissues right then and there. The storyline, scenery and acting are superb and the fact that it is based on a true story only makes it more inspiring. My cousin is 18 years old and wants to pursue a career in the mission field and I told her many times that she has to see this film. So I'm not only going to purchase one for MY video library but one for HER'S as well.

following God's call
This is a magnificent film in every aspect; the acting is brilliant, the landscapes beautiful, the drama intense. Based on the true story of Gladys Aylward, a house maid in England who was "not qualified" to be sent to China as a missionary, so went there on her own, saving every shilling earned for a ticket on the Trans-Siberian railroad. Taking place in the pre-WWII era, it's an adventure story of great spiritual courage, the chaos of war, and a romance between two independent people who never thought they would find love.

Ingrid Bergman is luminous as Gladys. It is one of her very best performances, and my personal favorite. Robert Donat, who passed away before the film was released, is also marvelous as the Mandarin of Yang Cheng, and Curt Jurgens as Captain Lin Nan is handsome and believable as the man who falls in love with Gladys. In a small but pivotal part, Athene Seyler is terrific as Jennie Lawson, the elderly missionary who helps Gladys in her early years, and Peter Chong is a delight as Yang the cook.
It is odd that the only Oscar nomination went to director Mark Robson; perhaps Bergman was overlooked because she had received a "Best Actress" for "Anastasia" two years earlier, but Bergman fans will give this film their own five-star award.

The fabulous location filming by Freddie Young was done in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, a remarkable substitute for Shaanxi Province, in the heart of China. The village reproductions are very well done, and look incredibly similar to films I have seen shot in China. The lovely score by Malcolm Arnold adds much to the film, and Alan Burgess, whose book "The Small Woman" is the basis of the story, wrote the script, which is witty, wise and wonderful, with Isobel Lennart.
Many times I've laughed out loud , and many times I've cried watching this film; it's good for several viewings, as it is epic in scope, and the script has an intelligence that makes it a rare gem. total running time is 158 minutes.

In the film, Chinese tradition has five "Happiness" wishes: Wealth, longevity, good health, virtue, and a peaceful old age and death. "Each person must decide in their heart what the sixth happiness is".

Break out the Kleenex...
...for this manipulative, mawkish tear-jerker. The story feels superficial (you never get a feeling for Aylward's sense of spirituality, only the very ocassional bit of tacked-on religiosity), and it's all grossly sentimental. All those feel-good moments with singing kids and long hugs actually detract from the important message about selfless service by making self-sacrifice seem all too easy and romantic, even in the face of brutal Japanese invasion.

The casting choices will try your suspsension of disbelief, to say the least: a Swede as an Englishwoman, a hulking German as a half-Dutch/half-Chinese colonel, and an Englishman as a Chinese mandarin. That said, this is still a fun film if you take it for what it is. It boasts an unusual story and exotic setting, and Bergman is as radiant as ever (even if she overacts in a couple scenes). Donat and Jurgens are uqually winning, in their own way.

Hardly Bergman's best film, but certainly worth a watch if you're a fan.

Noah visits the baby Jesus
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness was filmed in Wales and the scenery is beautiful. Ingrid Bergman is in top form as Gladys Aylard would be missionary to China. One of my favorite scenes is when her assistant Yang, who has a fondness for Noah and his ark, is telling the diners at the inn that Noah came in his ark to visit the baby Jesus along with the wise men. When she gives him a disapproving look he goes on to explain that even though Noah was born long before Jesus people lived alot longer back then, so no one could say for sure that he couldn't have been there. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Escaping? Why Not Take the Train?
A lot of effort went into this 1965 military war film classic. Now you don't have to wait for the movie on American Movie Classics to see it in wide-screen. The DVD version was released in Summer 2001. Frank Sinatra, playing the part of a downed American pilot, leads hundreds of POWs on a dash for the Swiss frontier in this action packed movie. Most of the action takes place on a hijacked Italian train, formerly commanded by the German military, as it winds its way ever deeper into enemy territory. Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare (Known best for his roles in American television shows such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Knight Rider)co-star. Also, look for Wolfgang Preis reprising the role of a German officer for the un-teenth time in his long career (The Longest Day, Anzio, Raid on Rommel, A Bridge Too Far, Battle of the Commandos, The Train, Is Paris Burning?, Ike the War Years, etc.). This film has nonstop action, train chases, aerial attacks and scenic Italian locations. If you haven't seen this film in wide-screen, now's your chance.

Frank Sintatra Express
Von Ryan's Express is a somewhat unheralded -- yet must see -- film for WWII fans and Sinatra fans alike.

Granted, the movie is a smidgen below The Great Escape, but not by much. If you liked that movie, and who didn't, then you are sure to like this one. Instead of Steve McQueen this has Frank Sinatra who carries this role off to perfection. What makes Von Ryan's character so appealing is the believable character growth. Ryan begins appeasing his captors in exchange for fairer treatment; but over the course of the movie this changes radically and he leads a prison escape on a hijacked train through the spectacular Alps of Northern Italy.

The movie also offers fine acting by Trevor Howard, and an unknown Italian beauty. The costumes and sets are perfect recreations and of interest to people who reminisce or read about that era. Dialogue is excellent. And scenery is of sweeping beauty. I also loved the old trains.

This movie is an unheralded gem. Recommended.

outstanding WWII action film
Easily one of the best action movies I've seen, and it just goes to show you that action movies don't need gratuitous violence to be awesome (it's rated PG). If this had been made today, it would have probably starred Brad Pitt and would have been gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, but instead it stars Frank Sinatra (?? didn't know he could act well, this was first movie I saw him in) and most violence is implied, making it seem almost more intense. Awesome and highly recommended.

Surprisingly good
My apologies in advance to the legion of fans out there, but somehow the idea of a "good" Frank Sinatra film seems oxymoronic. But this is a fine film, with Sinatra believable as the American martinet, and a simply outstanding supporting cast. I must single out for special mention the wonderful performance by Edward Mulhare, a much underrated actor, who rarely had the opportunity to show what he could do. His performance as Father Costanza is a gem, and one of the elements that makes this movie really work (and his German is excellent!).

Top Quality
This is a great WWII movie with a wonderful storyline. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1957, Peyton Place has becomesynonymous with torrid soap opera. Though the novel by Grace Metalious iseven more sensational, the movie provides plenty of tantalizing storyturns--secrets, adultery, rape, bitter parents, frustrated teenagers,suicide, and murder. Multiple storylines deftly interweave: AllisonMacKenzie (Diane Varsi), an ambitious young girl struggling with theneurotic fears of her mother (Lana Turner, in a career-revivingperformance) and the neurotic fears of the boy she loves (Russ Tamblyn),while her best friend Selena Cross (Hope Lange) fights off the brutaladvances of her drunken stepfather. The movie had to sanitize the novel'sNew England town in order to get some of the more unsavory plot turns pastthe censors; ironically, the glossy "normal" surface makes these eventsall the more shocking, paving the way for David Lynch's Blue Velvetand Twin Peaks. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (30)

The secrets and scandals of a small New England town
Based the bestselling novel by Grace Metalious, Peyton Place is a hallmark of mid-20th century American culture and remains powerful melodrama to this day. Modern audiences in particular might notice similarities with the currently popular Dawson's Creek.

The story centers around shopowner Constance MacKenzie (Lana Turner), hiding a secret from her past; her daughter Allison (Diane Varsi), who dreams of escaping from Peyton Place and becoming a writer; Allison's best friend Selena Cross (Hope Lange), who lives literally on the other side of the tracks and suffers abuse at the hands of her drunken stepfather (Arthur Kennedy); Norman Page (Russ Tamblyn), a shy, quiet student yearning to break away from his domineering mother; Rodney Harrington (Barry Coe), the playboy son of millowner Leslie Harrington (Leon Ames), who disapproves of his son's relationship with the flashy Betty Anderson (Terry Moore); and Mike Rossi (Lee Phillips), the new high school principal smitten with Constance.

Screenwriter John Michael Hayes did a magnificent job of distilling Metalious's occasionally crude story, making it acceptable to film audiences, though it can be argued that Metalious's feminist slant was lost in the process. The film was beautifully directed by Mark Robson, who's never gotten enough respect, perhaps due to his reputation as a craftsman; well, Peyton Place is a finely crafted work, solid entertainment, with majestic location work in Camden, ME, much of which will be lost in the transfer to the small screen. The cinematography is by William C. Mellor and the wonderful score is by Franz Waxman.

Peyton Place received 9 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay-Adapted, Best Cinematography, Best Actress (Lana Turner--her only nomination), Best Supporting Actress (Hope Lange, Diane Varsi), and Best Supporting Actor (Arthur Kennedy, Russ Tamblyn). 1957 was the year of The Bridge on the River Kwai, so Peyton Place lost in every category.

Get this DVD-Peyton Place the classic soap opera
Peyton Place is one of my favorite books and one of my favorite movies. The filming and score are beautiful. The scenery of coastal Maine is fantastic. This is one of the most popular soap operas...the term "Peyton Place" has come to mean a gossipy community.

Most of the acting is great... the only actor that does not seem right for the role is Lee Philips. He is does not see the type of guy Lana Turner would go for.

Lana Turner and Diane Varsi have some great mother daughter conflicts. Lloyd Nolan is great as the doctor caught in the moral dilemma of covering up a miscarriage (which was an abortion in the book)

The DVD adds an interesting commentary by Russ Tamblyn and Terry Moore. You feel as if you are sitting with them as the watch the film. They give share stories of what it was like to be a young actor in the 1950s.

This is a great film and even better DVD. My wife and I liked the book and movie so much we named our daughter Allison after Peyton Place's main character.

The Darkside of Small Town Life
1957's Peyton Place was based on the tawdry best seller by Grace Metalious that depicts the sorted lives of the residents of the titular small New England town. The film was quite controversial at the time as it contains frank talk about sex, an incestuous rape, a hinted at abortion and murder. The film helped paved the way for the abandoning of the Hollywood moral codes. Everyone in Peyton Place, it seems, has something to Hide. Constance MacKenzie (Lana Turner) is an uptight single mother to Allison MacKenzie (Diane Varsi). She is fearful of scandal and rebuffs the advances of new high school principle Michael Rossi (Lee Phillips). Constance is hiding a secret from Allison and after Allison is wrongful accused of swimming naked with Norman Page (Russ Tamblyn) she reveals that Allison was born illegitimately as her father was living with Constance but was married. Allison leaves Peyton Place to go to New York City. Allison's best friend Selena Cross (Hope Lange) lives in a shack with her drunken stepfather Lucas Cross (Arthur Kennedy). Lucas is abusive and beats Selena and eventually rapes and impregnates her. Confronted by Dr. Swain (Lloyd Nolan), Lucas leaves town. He eventually returns and tries to take advantage of her again and Selena kills him. This leads to trial where Allison returns to town to speak on her Selena's behalf. She avoids her mother and in a bitter meeting tells her of her feelings towards her. At the trial, Selena refuses to let Dr. Swain speak about the rape. Dr. Swain's conscious gets the best of him and in an impassioned statement on the stand he reveals Selena's secret and chides the townspeople for their gossiping ways that led Selena to this position. Selena is acquitted and Allison reunites with Constance. The film was a huge hit and ironically Ms. Turner was embroiled in her our murder trial when her fourteen daughter stabbed her mobster boyfriend to death. It spawned a sequel and a popular television series. The film garnered nine Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director (Mark Robson), Best Actress for Ms. Turner (her only nomination) and two Best Supporting Actor & Actress nomination for Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Tamblyn, Ms. Lange & Ms. Varsi. The film holds the ignominy of having the most nomination without a single win.

Colorful soap classic/less than perfect DVD
Lana Turner and a terrific cast make this toned down version of Grace Metalious's steamy, sensational novel a real potboiling delight! The music, the cinematography, everything...it all evokes a long ago time and place and here it is all beautifully preserved for posterity! Fans will also enjoy its sequel, RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE with luscious Carol Lynley and another good looking cast of youngsters and scenery-chewing veterans.

Unfortunately, this DVD has a few jumps and glitches which disrupt perfect viewing. The AMC Backstory documentary isn't all that informative, and you'd think they'd at least have edited out the commercial bumpers. The commentary track by Tamblyn and Moore is one of the most boring ever...nearly impossible to sit through. Neither actor offers much insight into the film they are watching, instead rattling off alot of their own movie credits and misinformation (ie. Dick Sargent was never in "that genie show," Ms. Moore). Who was producing this!?

The commentaries make this DVD a must-have
I already had a beautiful copy of this movie--the outrageously priced ($49.95) laserdisc set put out by Fox Home Video sometime in the 90s--but the selling point for me this time around was the promised audio commentaries by Russ Tamblyn and Terry Moore. I wasn't disappointed! I've always considered Tamblyn one of the unsung heroes of moviedom (his credits read like a list of the best films ever made--"Gun Crazy," "Father of the Bride," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "West Side Story," and this gem among others) and I'm certain that those viewers only familiar with his remarkable dancing and acrobatics in musicals would be surprised by his sure handling of a complex character in this film. The performance earned him a well-deserved Oscar nomination--a feat not shared by the majority of his musical colleagues. Tamblyn comes off as a very likable, unassuming guy in his audio commentary, and his memory of the long-ago events is pretty sharp--even to the point of remembering that a double for Lana Turner did a couple of the shots in the last scene rather than the actress herself. Along the way he has plenty of interesting stories about the other actors, the location shoot, and what was going on in his life at the time. Terry Moore is also very engaging in her commentary, although she's clearly less familiar with the movie itself--e.g., she registers surprise at the fate of Betty Field's character the same way a first-time viewer would. But Ms. Moore also has some intersting recollections, such as roasting in her winter coat while surrounded by fake snow in the blazing California sunshine. And her obvious respect for the story's themes and its characters (as significantly altered and arguably improved for the film adaptation) is very endearing, particularly if you're as enamored of the film as this viewer. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

A powerful study of courage in the face of irrational odds,The Bridges at Toko-Ri (based on James Michener's novel) is noless patriotic than many other war films, but it dispenses with gung-hobluster to focus instead on the very real and tragic consequences ofwar. This is also one of the first films to openly criticize themorality of the Korean War while praising the honor and integrity ofthe men who fought it. Lt. Harry Brubaker (William Holden) is one ofthose men, with one difference: A lawyer with a loving wife (GraceKelly) and two young daughters, he's been recalled to duty from theNavy Reserve, and reluctantly accepts his mission to fly with abomber-jet squadron over one of the Communists' most heavily protectedtargets--the strategically vital bridges in the Korean canyon of Toko-Ri.

Brubaker has his own noble protection, from his fellow pilots(including Charles McGraw in a fine supporting role), his admiringadmiral (Frederic March), and from the helicopter scouts (Mickey Rooneyand Earl Holliman) who've saved his life on previous missions. But hisambivalence--and his fear that the Toko-Ri mission will be his last--iswhat gives the film its potent emotional impact. Holden is perfect inhis role, and director Mark Robson steadfastly avoids any falsesentiment or macho theatrics that would diminish the film's devastatingclimax. The Bridges at Toko-Ri is also a superlative showcasefor Naval operations; the aerial sequences earned an Oscar for specialeffects, and complete Navy cooperation assures total authenticity inthe "flat-top" aircraft carrier scenes. For these and other reasons,this will remain a timeless classic for anyone seeking to comprehendthe emotional maelstrom of warfare. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the Terrace is one of Paul Newman's lesser-known films, but it's a worthy showcase for the actor's developing screen persona. Like Butterfield 8, this is a slick, prestigious adaptation of a John O'Hara novel, about loose morals and forbidden love among the wealthy elite. Director Mark Robson lacks the mastery of melodrama that Douglas Sirk would've brought to this material, but he's still on target with O'Hara's tale of a prodigal son (Newman) who rejects his late father's steel mill in favor of big-business conquest, only to find his trophy wife (superbly played by Newman's off-screen wife, Joanne Woodward) straying into the arms of her former fiancé, while he falls in love with a socialite (Ina Balin) with whom he's much more compatible. A well-tuned drama of marital discord and unchecked ambition, From the Terrace was sharply adapted by Ernest Lehman between the triumphs of North by Northwest and West Side Story, and Newman's brooding performance gave him a solid boost to his iconic role in the 1961 classic The Hustler. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent oldie.....
A view FROM THE TERRACE is what Paul Newman's character David Alfred Eaton has of his future wife Mary (JoAnne Woodward). The screen play was based on a best-selling novel of the same name by John O'Hara. Given it was released in the 1950s when sex on the screen was verboten and not much more explicit in novels (ban a book in Boston), one must appreciate the work it took for Newman and Woodward to give these performances.

Like many other teenagers of my generation, I was "in love" with Paul Newman. Newman could make female hearts flutter by simply looking at the camera with his big blue eyes. Many other teens preferred Marlon Brando, his peer and rival for female affection. I believe these two actors were the Leonardo de Caprio and Brad Pitt of their day, although in the long run, Newman (like de Caprio) has had more staying power and gracefully made the transition to mature roles.

In the 1950s, to see a film one had to attend a theater, where the screen was usually covered with a huge velvet curtain. FTT played at the Center theater in my small town, and I saw the film six times after it was released. I was able to get into the theater for a quarter, and as my allowance was $3, this was no small sacrifice. So, you might say this film was one of my all time favorites.

Watching it again almost 50 years later, I wondered how I would react, and of course the passage of time and arrival of many other actors and vast changes in filmmaking have affected the way I view the film and Newman, but I still like him enormously, and this film holds it's own, though the storyline may seem archaic.

This film is about infidelity and divorce and the price of success, a story line that may be lost on generations raised in an age of no-fault divorces and dual earner households. Once upon a time, divorce and infidelity were considered absolutely scandalous, and financially disastrous. In fact, if you divorced, your life was ruined. Many couples stayed together and suffered the ignominy of a cheating spouse. FTT was a ground-breaking film because it tackled these issues head-on.

The DVD version of the film is well done, and the price reasonable (technicolor and cinemascope production). Do your self a favorite, buy this DVD and add it to the shelf where you keep CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and other 50's favorites.

I absolutely adore this movie
I saw this movie for at least the third time today and I told myself: go ahead and get this on DVD because you watch it every time it comes on TV. Well, I just simply must have it near me. I love the "how do you like them apples" part in the movie. What a move! I love every minute of this movie. It is like a short story! I love the dialogue! Watch it people!

My View From The Sofa
Paul Newman has many more famous roles...but for some reason, this is one of my all time favorite movies of his. It comes on the Love Stories, AMC, or TCM cable channels every here and now...or you could just buy it like I did.

He's nice, determined, well-meaning Alfred Eaton, who starts off with lofty, wealthy ideas about what is important in life...the right woman, the right career, the right friends...and showing them all how important he can be when he has them. Ultimately, he learns that what is important is only what feels right to him alone.

I love his story of personal discovery as much as his love affair story with Natalie. Alfred and Natalie have this beautiful scene where they are saying goodbye, they're barely touching, but it's the most painfully romantic thing to see.

Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward have some excellent scenes in this movie also with real good comeback dialogue. He's the hardworking, decent man and she's the desperate-to-impress and just plain desperate society wife. She self-righteously and hurtfully accuses him of adultery with a girl with no guts when she's been sleeping with her ex-fiancee all along. She actually calls her lover and arranges a tryst while her husband is in the room!!!! She has guts!!!! (if little else) Unbeknownst to her, Alfred has exhaustingly if unaffectedly (if you can look unaffected and disgusted at the same time, that is) done his best to makes her invisible in the room, but she probably just becomes invisible without any real effort on his part to make her so by that point. Their voices just have the most impactful tones...especially when they get to play off of each other. I can play their final scene over and over again where she says she won't give him a divorce and he says,"Any further communication between you and me will be through legal channels." He has the most genuine smile on that handsome face in that moment than through the entire movie!!!!!

This movie is actually pretty long, but not a moment is wasted. It all comes together in the end when Alfred finally chooses what he actually wants instead of what he's supposed to want.

Maybe it's because it's so subtle and not at all like a "movie" that it seems to be largely overlooked by everyone except me and 20 other people. Paul Newman is one fine, naturally classy actor, I say.

Unfaithfully Yours
Every few years, I sit back and enjoy "From the Terrace" for what it is. As good old fashioned "potboiler", John O Hara's screen adaptation is not quite as sprawling as say....Edna Ferber's works, but nonetheless is a decent potboiler in its own right. Alfred (Paul Newman), discharged from the Navy after WW II is the ambitious, disaffected son of nouveau riche steel mill owner Samuel Eaton, (Leon Ames). Seeking to make his own unique mark in the world he spurns his father's hopes of joining the business and decides his fortune is to be made elsewhere. Along the way, he meets his future blue-blooded trophy wife Mary St. John (Joanne Woodward) and soon discovers her appetites are far in excess even to his own ambitions. Landing a job at a prestigious Wall Street firm in an oblique way that is a potboiler's trademark, Alfred comes under the watchful eye of old money and traditional expectations by J.D. MacHardie (masterfully portrayed by Felix Aylmer). I very much enjoyed all the scenes in which Aylmer's MacHardie was highlighted and I can almost smell the stodginess of old money, ritual table manners, wood paneled walls, cigars, and brandy that were part of his ultra-conservative environment. Soon enough, while on a trip to scout business opportunities, Alfred meets Natalie (Ina Balin), the unattached daughter of a wealthy coal mine owner. Knowing full well of his marital status, she consents, even encourages his attention and unfaithfulness. Balin manages to pull this off with a naive sweetness without ever seeming cheap or trashy. Infidelity is a major theme in this work and I'm sure its frank discussion must have sparked many a controversy when this film was released very early in 1960. Veteran actress Myrna Loy was given near top billing as Alfred's alcoholic and unfaithful mother, yet her on-screen performance was limited to the first reel of this nearly 2 1/2 hour film. I enjoyed the brief on screen appearance of young Barbara Eden as a flirtatious socialite. Patrick O'Neal was perfectly cast as the smarmy Dr. Jim Roper, the illicit lover of Mary St. John. Over his long acting career, Paul Newman has delivered solid performances again and again. This is one of his lesser known works but serves as a fine example of why he was so popular with the audience as a silver screen heartthrob. Watching this film today and being mindful of his lasting marriage to Joanne Woodward just serves to make this movie all the more compelling to me. I hope you will agree.

A view of the male in society.
Based on John O'Hara's novel, Alfred Eaton wants success in his own right but also seeks happiness for himself. He ventures out to New York leaving behind his cold, unloving father and alcoholic mother. As he is settled, he meets Mary St. John at a party in Southhampton. She is engaged to a psychiatrist Jim Roper. She rebuffs him at first but laters falls in love with him, calling off her engagement to her fiance. The two marry. However, their marriage is on the rocks. As Alfred gains success and social status, Mary feels isolated from his affection and has sexual affairs outside of the marriage. A business venture in rural Pennsylvania force him to confront his past and his future. Having dinner at the Benzinger home, he falls in love with the daughter Natalie. Strikingly beautiful and raven-haired, she is the one who understands him and is affectionate towards him.
Alfred Eaton, is relatively like most men. They want to gain recognition and respect from the social and economical community and at the same time, be happy with themselves. However, success doesn't always bring happiness. Happiness comes from within. Eaton's lack of affection from his father caused him to seek happiness elsewhere but he was forced to make hard decisions that would not only affect his career, but himself. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Some guys can sell out; others just can't
Bogart does both. Good story, good film. Good performances. Interesting. Well worth seeing. Good dvd.

A Knockout
Whenever a new boxing film is being hyped, we inevitably get someone's list of great boxing films, yet The Harder They Fall never makes those lists. Screenwriter Philip Yordan and director Mark Robson took Budd Schulberg's tough but somewhat diffuse and repetitive novel and condensed it into an excellent film adaptation that is still a timely indictment of the corruption and brutality in the world of boxing. This was Bogart's last film, and actor's last films are generally terrible, but Bogie went out with a classic. The performances are generally excellent, and the scenes with Steiger and Bogart work beautifully, with Steiger's aggressive, fast-talking, almost lunging forward attack matched by Bogart's wary, laconic, reactive style of acting. Also excellent is the underrated Nehemiah Persoff, an Actors Studio alumnus, who himself resembles Steiger and who gave excellent support in numerous films and TV shows. Perhaps the film's only flaw is Bogart's 11th hour moral conversion, but it is acceptable enough and does lead to a final, excellent scene between Bogart and Steiger.

BRUTAL FOR IT'S ERA
absolutely Bogart's greatest and valedictory performance. Bogart exited this life with his greatest performance. not only was this Bogart's best but this film also boasts a stellar ensemble of actors. this film dares to explore the criminal racketeering that once plagued the sport of professional boxing. the brutal realistic portrayals given by the actors is unsurpassed. from the intimidating performance by Steiger especially to the moral dilemma of Bogart is no less than incredible. an absolute must and imperative for one's film library. almost unbearable final fight to watch.

as for the DVD, some artifacts present but overall a good transfer. the audio is stereo and also good.

Bogart's last film...
Harder They Fall is Humphrey Bogart's last performance on the silver screen before he passed away in 1957. He plays the character Eddie Willis, a former sportswriter, who is hired by Nick Benko (Rod Steiger), a shady boxing manager, to promote an incompetent giant boxer by the name Toro. In the process of promoting Toro, Eddie faces several humorous situations where he has to make the wrong moral choice in order to reach his goal of making a lot of money. Eddie's greed causes him to lose friendships, lie, and hurt people; however, he convinces himself that he must do this in order to achieve wealth. The process of learning the value of human life and money is an emotionally painful journey for Eddie, since he becomes burdened with the heavy feelings of guilt. Harder They Fall is an interesting film about greed and betrayal that is set in the boxing world. As the story unfolds the audience is offered high class drama that is carried by a well prepared cast, which offers a first-rate cinematic experience.

A great boxing movie that was also Bogart's last
This is far from one of Bogart's best movies, but it is still well worth watching. In this film, he plays a washed-up sportswriter who has been hired as a PR man for gigantic South American boxer named Toro Morena. The problem is, Morena, despite his immense size, can't box at all. Bogart and Morena's crooked owner, magnificently played by Rod Steiger, manage to take him up the heavyweight ranks by fixing a string of fights.

Of all the sports, none have inspired as many excellent films as boxing. In fact, there may be more first-rate boxing films than first rate films from all other sports combined. There are probably a good dozen very, very good fight films, and this belongs to their number.

The tension in the film derives from the ultimate conflict between Bogart's inherent decency and Steiger's unmitigated exploitativeness. The two had great onscreen chemistry in their scenes together. They employed very different acting styles, Steiger being one of the first Method actors to enjoy success in the movies. Bogart was strictly old school, but he not only held his own, he dominated their scenes together.

A couple of real life boxers played major roles in the film. Jersey Joe Alcott plays Toro Moreno's trainer. Toro Moreno himself was very loosely based on the career of Primo Canera (with the difference that Canera actually could box, the similarities being that he was a remarkably tall heavyweight who killed a man in the ring). Max Baer, former heavyweight champion and the father of Max Baer Jr. (Jethro on THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES), plays heavyweight champion Buddy Brannen. The irony in this is that Baer in real life became heavyweight champion by beating Primo Canera. The in-the-ring shots are among the finest that have ever been filmed in boxing pictures. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Anthony Quinn, The All Purpose Ethnic!
This is a surprisngly good movie with Anthony Quinn, the all purpose ethnic! I say this because he has been used to play everything from American Indians to Arabs over the years! Here he plays a fairly conventional character modeled after the actaul charasmatic Marcel Biegeard, a French paratrooper. I would concur with the other reviews that its one of Quinn's better roles.

The movie has plenty of action taking the viewer from the defeat of Dien Bien Phu to Algeria. The scenes in Algeria are less propagandistic than some portrayals, though I believe the French were a good deal more brutal than this movie shows.

Again, the best features really are the combat scenes, and the depiction of how Quinn's character molds a solid and versatile combat unit able to take on terrorists in the mountains and the city. My question when watching this movie was why didn't the French show this kind of courage and determination in 1940 against the Germans when it would have really mattered? The movie conveys a subtle anti-French message toward colonialism at the end which does not come across very clearly. Reviewers have tended to pan it because of this, but that's no reason not to give this film a chance.

Despite these minor quibbles this is still a unique film covering an exotic topic. With increased American involvement in Afghanistan and elsewhere there's a lot of added interest here. The movie conveys quite well the difficulties of dealing with insurgents. There's lots of good action without gore, some good acting, and even a romance or two. Not a bad deal considering this movie was out of print until the recent DVD re-issue.

Excellent Combat Classic on DVD
Very good film released in 1966 based on Jean Larteguy's novel "The Centurians" with Anthony Quinn portraying the main character Lieutenant Colonel Raspeguy. The film opens with Raspeguy and his paratrooper battalion fighting to the bitter end at Dien Bien Phu in Indo China. Raspeguy with his surviving officers and soldiers are interned by the Viet Mihn forces and repatriated back to France.

Raspeguy loses his battalion command, but later obtains command of the 10th Paratrooper Regiment, activated for battle in Algeria against Arab guerrilla forces fighting for independence. Raspeguy recruits his trusted veterans and they train the regiment with lessons learned from their experiences in Indo China.

Raspeguy is the typical maverick, a hardcore soldier who runs operations his way. His unconventionalal methods for weeding out terrorist factions and insurgent forces causes friction with the French senior command and government officials. He suffers a setback after his soldiers commit atrocities against local villagers in an area where several comrades were ambushed. Raspeguy is under investigation and faces a second relief from command and possibly imprisonment. Victory is his key to success and he pulls out all stops to defeat the terrorists and a large insurgent force led by one of his former officers who defected from France.

Overall a very good film and an interesting subject with French paratroopers fighting guerrilla forces in Algeria. Good action scenes on small unit combat, though tame by today's movie standards.

The DVD release is finally here and an excellent deal considering its previous VHS edition was expensive and of average quality. The DVD edition's imagery is sharp and clear, in letterbox format, and sound is significantly improved.

Colonial war film
A fine action film, also a short overview of the French post-war attempt to keep hold of Indo-China then Algeria. The movie fairly shows French injustices in Algeria leading to the later excesses by both the French and rebels. Note how, at that time, all their military equipment larger than personal arms was American in origin. Good cast, great scenery, was told by 'Nam vets that the battle sequences are very authentic looking. Also note this: how many other post-war French colonial paratroop war movies are there?

High Adventure with French Paratroopers
1966 film based on Jean Larteguy's novel "The Centurians" with Anthony Quinn starring as the story's main character Lieutenant Colonel Raspeguy. Commanding a paratrooper battalion in Indo China, Raspeguy is a hard-core dynamic leader and a maverick in the French officer corps with rough demeanor and peasant background. The film opens with his battalion defending its position at the ill-fated Battle of Dien Bien Phu that forced France to give up Indo China (Vietnam). Raspeguy with his surviving officers and soldiers are captured and later repatriated back to France. Raspeguy is relieved of his command, but is later reinstated over a newly formed paratrooper regiment to battle Arab insurgents in Algeria fighting for independence from France. Having learned bitter lessons from Indo China, Raspeguy trains the new paratrooper unit and fights the guerrillas in brutal fashion.

Despite the length of the film at 139 minutes, the movie version was not able to fully capture the novel's story. However, it does cover the important aspects such as Raspeguy's friction with the French senior command, his peasant background, recruitment of Indo China veterans, the new regiment, and one of his former officers, of Arab heritage, who defects and leads the guerillas in Algeria.

Overall a good film and an interesting subject with French paratroopers fighting guerrilla forces in Algeria. The story is a bit choppy in the beginning covering events from Indo China through France, but becomes more coherent once Raspeguy and the parachute regiment are in Algeria. Good action scenes on small unit combat, though tame by today's movie standards.

The DVD is finally here, imagery and sounds are excellent, and an excellent buy considering it was only available in an expensive VHS edition previously.

Jump into combat, lead men and defeat insurgents
A lone C-47 aircraft flying high overhead.

Stand up! Hook up!

Red light buzzes.

Green light, GO!

As you jump into the surrounded French position of Dien Bien Phu with Aliane Delon, George Segal and the characters French Commando Jean Larteguy created in "The Centurions" and "The Praetorians"---you experience the mood and the feel of a desperate battle gone wrong. As they land to desperately reinforce the abandoned outpost, they meet Anthony Quinn's Raspeguy--his best movie role--a legendary figure modeled after Col Marcel Biegard to include his pipe---who keeps the men together and out of the prison camps by personal humanity and leadership-by-example. Its too bad Larteguy's books are out-of-print--you should read them as companions to the film, which differs in some details to keep you guessing. There is even a romance to keep the females interested with the dashing Delon and sexy Claudia Cardinale (WOW).

This film is simply a masterpiece and must-see for every American in uniform or who ever wants to serve. Its our guide of how a fighting force should be--a force of esperit de corps, yes, but a force that THINKS. After Raspeguy's "lost command" in Indo-China, he reflects and decides to surround himself with bright, innovative young officers and to learn from his experiences. He realizes that men will fight for an identity reflected in a piece of head gear---I love how in the book, Raspeguy says that if he had been Jewish, he would have made the cursed yellow Star of David the Nazis used to march Jews to the death camps, his unit's insignia of honor--to embrace it---to turn its symbolism on its abusers--to fight for and make it a symbol of honor and courage. In the film, he chooses the "Leopard" camouflage cap and makes it the symbol as we would the beret if we were smart in the U.S. Army and made a universal BROWN BERET our symbol to live up to. Raspeguy's men, outcasts from other units---soon start believing in themselves and winning in battles noone thought they could win.

The film is just superb in its depiction of truck and helicopter-mobile tactics fighting the guerrillas in desert Algeria. It has some of the best, most realistic combat scenes of a light infantry assault uphill against a dug-in foe ever depicted on film, Raspeguy's SLAM-esque style of cross-talking by radio his subordinate leaders is superb. All of the key figures are thinking infantry leaders not mindless macho stooges/tyrants as is the common American stereotype depicted in films and emulated too often in real life.

If this were not enough, the film has a My Lai-type moral leadership dilemma incident that would make a good place to stop the tape and discuss among your men.

I cannot rate this film too high, its one of the best war films ever made, its more helpful to watch than even Saving Private Ryan because it has a positive message of what to go out and do if you are in the military, whereas SPR brings on negative sadness and an anger that if properly channeled by a pursuit of how to do it better would be helpful. Most people when they see something negative go no further, its better to see the French Colonial Paratroops find a way to win in this film. I pin a medal for bravey on the leopard camouflage uniforms of the film-makers and old Commando Larteguy wherever he is--and render the salute!

Airborne! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The disaster-movie trend of the early and mid-1970s was starting to wear out its welcome when Earthquake was released in 1974. It’s another one of those enjoyably mindless all-star marathons, and the title tells you all you need to know about the plot. Charlton Heston offers his trademark brand of macho courage as the citizens of Los Angeles brace for the Big One--an earthquake that rattles the city to its crumbling foundation. It's got all the sophistication of a Love Boat episode, but the movie's momentum scores high marks (at least on the Richter scale), and the Oscar-winning sound design and special visual effects are still impressive, especially when you consider that advanced computer-graphics effects were still two decades in the future. Genevieve Bujold adds a touch of class to the all-star ensemble, and of course, what self-respecting disaster flick would be complete without a role for George Kennedy? In more ways than one, this cheesy movie rocks! (If you want to re-create the movie's original sound process known as "Sensurround," you’ll just have to crank up the bass and subwoofer on your home theater system until plaster cracks and windows shatter!) --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (33)

A Classic 'disaster'...
The most catastrophic earthquake hits Southern California, levels Los Angeles and with it, changes the lives of all people who live there. 'Grand Hotel' formula with larger than life acting, plus some of the most chilling special effects ever filmed. Earthquake still remains one of the most successful disaster movies in film history. Charlton Heston plays the construction engineer, Ava Gardner is his spoiled, rich wife & George Kenedy plays the tough cop. Also starring Lorne Greene, Genevieve Bujold, Marjoe Gortner, Lloyd Nolan, Barry Sullivan, Victoria Principal & Richard Rowntree watch out for Walter Matthau in a cameo role.
An average DVD presentation, the PAL version released in some European countries is much superior than this one (with Charlton Heston & Ava Gardner on the cover) & includes 4.1 Sensurround & presented in 2:35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.

Thrills, Chills, and Fun!
"Earthquake" was a late entry into the early '70s Disaster film mania, and the audiences had become a little jaded after whetting their appetites on "Towering Inferno" and "The Poseidon Adventure." But hey! "Earthquake" has its own charms and some surprisingly good special effects.

Charlton Heston is in his stone-faced glory playing a heroic engineer who is trying to save Los Angeles from a devastating 7.2 earthquake. Dams break, buildings tumble, glass flies, panic and hysteria reign. Beautiful Ava Gardner ... plays Heston's spoiled, expensive wife. To give Heston the proper angst, he has reluctantly fallen in love with the nubile Genevieve Bujold who fetchingly needs rescuing quite often. The ending surprised me; I wonder if Charlton insisted upon it.

"Earthquake" delivers. If your expectations are for deep characterizations and startling ambiguities; you will be disappointed. If you want a couple hours of thrills and mindless fun, "Earthquake" will satisfy. My only complaints are the overly long set-up before the earthquake begins and a vague sadness that I haven't the facilities for "Sensurround."
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

Goodtimes doesn't 'make' movies. Oh, and this one is awful
Goodtimes is a small VHS/DVD distributor, usually of long forgotten bad movies and that's why their sooooooooo cheap.
Of course you get what you pay for.
And what do you expect with Charlton Heston?
Eventually all 'Chuck's movies' will wind up in the Goodtimes bin!
Because Charlton Heston can't act his way out of the proverbial paer bag.
Chuck once had muscles (just like Popeye) and his biceps got him into the movies. But he always needed to be stuck in big budget epics like this brain fart. Why? Because if you pay attention to all the DTS Dolby stereo High definition yaddas then you won't notice the huy can't act!
Even most Hollywood reviewers who like the poor big dumb fella have written that this is one of his worst.
Yuk

It rumbles!
The old vhs video did not rumble. This DVD RUMBLES! It shook the house. Thanks for restoring the "sensurround"

The only decent dvd made by Goodtimes Video
This classic movie was somehow given to the "Goodtimes Video Company" that is know for releasing horrible picture quality on their dvds. "Earthquake" however is decent. The picture quality is as good as the vhs video release and the only bonus to this dvd is the fact is is in widescreen format. Goodtimes Video Company is the worst company to buy from in my opinion. I avoid buying from Goodtimes like the plague. I would say this dvd is excellent quality comparred to anything else I've seen from Goodtimes besides "Airport 75". The quality of picture is just like the video. No new enhancments or re digitalized or anything. The picture is as good (if not a touch better) than what you'd see on vhs or television, so it is worht buying for a low cost.The sound quality SHOULD'VE been redone in DTS or Dolby Digital just because of the old Senssurround that went with this movie. However the sound quality on this dvd is in mono, the quality is not that bad for what you've heard before on vhs or television. I would say, if this is the only release on DVD available, it is worth buying if you loved this movie.The ONLY other dvd release by Goodtimes Video that was done ok was "Airport 75". ALL other dvds released by this company have been horrible and not worth a nickle. "Airport 77" was absolutly horrendous to watch on their dvd. Bad picture (dark) and had a soundtrack suppossedly called Dolby Digital that in my opinion was a lie because all I heard was mono.Anyways, "Earthquake" was an ok buy at a low enough cost. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Dark Look at Prizefighting
"Champion" is an extraordinarily grim and intense study of a man already corrupted by an insatiable need to dominate. Seldom has a Hollywood film from this period had so tortured a figure at its center. It is to Kirk Douglas' credit that, because of his performance as Midge, the viewer doesn't hate the character, and is able to feel compassion.

Also of note in the cast is the always excellent Arthur Kennedy as the Midge's brother, whose physical handicap mirrors the emotional one of his sibling. Paul Stewart and Ruth Roman add to the films effect in memorable supporting roles. This film was nominated for an Academy Award for its beautiful deep and dark cinematography. And the score is one of Tiomkin's more subtle creations. Often ignored by film noir enthusiasts, "Champion" fine blending of intense drama, ensemble acting and virtuoso cinematography. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Hard hitting early pugilist flick
Interesting that right around the same time--the late 40s--three different films were all released with basically the same theme and plot: The Set-Up (w. Robert Ryan); Champion (w. Kirk Douglas); and Body and Soul (w. John Garfield). Ryan's film is a very good piece of work while the Garfield film is, by today's standards, heavy-handed, thus dated. But the Kirk Douglas film is, in fact, the Champion.

The boxing scenes are realistic--in spite of Douglas' recent nose job, made during filming, preventing any of his sparring partners to hit anywhere near his schnozz. But more than anything else, it's Douglas' tremendous charisma and energy that raise this film above the norm. Douglas, as did Garfield in the earlier Body and Soul, plays a guy mired in poverty who sees boxing as a quick way out of the hole and, once initially successful, wants nothing but more: both money and success. And nothing standing in his way will prevent him from getting what he wants. But while Garfield's portrayal of selfishness is forced and, as well, entrenched in cliched dialogue, both Douglas' acting and the far more intelligent script make Midge Kelly's (Douglas) relentless quest for power tremendously believable.

Arthur Kennedy is Connie, Midge's brother whose leg was busted when he was a kid and now walks with a cane. The three--yep, count 'em, three--women in Midge's life add a lot of juice to the film and a nice touch is the casting of a brunette who's Midge's girl when he's poor and two blondes when he's rich and successful. Back in them days, blondes were IT. (Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield carried on the tradition).

Champion gives you a great view of life in the late 40s as well. It's also interesting that the director, Mark Robson, was part of the Val Lewton school of horror directors (which also included Robert Wise), so makes excellent use with his cinematographer of light and shadow. This is not exactly a film noir, but does have several noirish traits--camera lighting, and thematic corruption and desperation.

This is more a precursor to Raging Bull than Rocky; the latter character is always good, while DeNiro's character is akin to Midge Kelly--rising quickly from a life in the streets to attain fame and fortune, even if toes get stepped on and hearts gets smashed to pieces (Rocky would never do stuff like that).

A strong piece of cinema; recommended.

DOUGLAS BEST MOVIE
THE FIGHT SCEANS ARE GREAT FOR 1949 MOVIE THE MAKEUP ON KIRK IN LAST FIGHT ARE FANTASTIC.

Douglas slugs his way to upward mobility
This is the movie that made a star of Kirk Douglas and it is easy to see why. Up to that point, although cast in memorable films such as "Out of the Past" and "A Letter to Three Wives," among others, he played second banana and minor roles that really didn't give the audience a hint as to his raw, seething talent. In "Champion" Douglas' abilities are displayed full throttle in the start of what would be a string of excellent performances of flawed yet all-too-human characters in his searing portrayal of Midge Kelly, a desperately driven and ruthless young man who is willing to do anything and step on anyone to get on top. Douglas captures to perfection Midge's permanent disillusionment, anger and bitterness springing from wretched childhood poverty and miserable circumstances and just a general feeling of being cheated by life; this all results in him becoming an amoral, unscrupulous individual out to pursue success and wealth at any cost. Yet Douglas' performance (as well as all the other scoundrels he played in many fine films) never comes across as repulsive--quite the contrary, we pity Midge, perhaps even like and admire him a little. Rest of the cast is superb--Arthur Kennedy as Midge's devoted and long-suffering brother; darkly attractive Ruth Roman as Midge's coolly alluring, conflicted wife; blonde sexpot Marilyn Maxwell as a mercenary, cunning hustler as well as Midge's mistress; Paul Stewart as the principled coach in the corrupt world of boxing who helps Midge only to get shafted; and Lola Albright is poignant as a young introspective and serious married woman who gets betrayed by Midge when he throws her over for money. Douglas in his star turn is sure to keep you riveted in a must-see performance. Complimenting the mood of the film is the wonderfully gritty, almost claustrophobic B&W photography and the ironic parallel evident in Midge's profession as a boxer since he both literally and figuratively knocks around all those in life around him.

CHAMPION-- The title says it all!
Before "Raging Bull" and "Rocky" there was "Champion". This movie was one of Stanley Kramer's first and it is stark and powerful in a very compelling way. The incredible film editing won an Academy Award in 1949 and it is up there with "The Harder They Fall" among boxing cinematic masterpieces. If you want a "reel" experience and boxing is of interest to you, this flick is a must see.

Surprisingly fascinating
Kirk Douglas plays an emotionally bankrupt man driven by poverty and anger to become a champion prizefighter. His energy and confidence attract love and loyalty from people who contribute to his success but become hurt and disillusioned by his ingratitude and betrayal. The plot is fairly simple, but the film holds interest through its portrayal of a man devoid of self-understanding, whose ambition can never truly be satisfied despite his apparent success. The most intense scenes are in the boxing ring, where no amount of punishment can stop him. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Escaping? Why Not Take the Train?
A lot of effort went into this 1965 military war film classic. Now you don't have to wait for the movie on American Movie Classics to see it in wide-screen. The DVD version was released in Summer 2001. Frank Sinatra, playing the part of a downed American pilot, leads hundreds of POWs on a dash for the Swiss frontier in this action packed movie. Most of the action takes place on a hijacked Italian train, formerly commanded by the German military, as it winds its way ever deeper into enemy territory. Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare (Known best for his roles in American television shows such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Knight Rider)co-star. Also, look for Wolfgang Preis reprising the role of a German officer for the un-teenth time in his long career (The Longest Day, Anzio, Raid on Rommel, A Bridge Too Far, Battle of the Commandos, The Train, Is Paris Burning?, Ike the War Years, etc.). This film has nonstop action, train chases, aerial attacks and scenic Italian locations. If you haven't seen this film in wide-screen, now's your chance.

Frank Sintatra Express
Von Ryan's Express is a somewhat unheralded -- yet must see -- film for WWII fans and Sinatra fans alike.

Granted, the movie is a smidgen below The Great Escape, but not by much. If you liked that movie, and who didn't, then you are sure to like this one. Instead of Steve McQueen this has Frank Sinatra who carries this role off to perfection. What makes Von Ryan's character so appealing is the believable character growth. Ryan begins appeasing his captors in exchange for fairer treatment; but over the course of the movie this changes radically and he leads a prison escape on a hijacked train through the spectacular Alps of Northern Italy.

The movie also offers fine acting by Trevor Howard, and an unknown Italian beauty. The costumes and sets are perfect recreations and of interest to people who reminisce or read about that era. Dialogue is excellent. And scenery is of sweeping beauty. I also loved the old trains.

This movie is an unheralded gem. Recommended.

outstanding WWII action film
Easily one of the best action movies I've seen, and it just goes to show you that action movies don't need gratuitous violence to be awesome (it's rated PG). If this had been made today, it would have probably starred Brad Pitt and would have been gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, but instead it stars Frank Sinatra (?? didn't know he could act well, this was first movie I saw him in) and most violence is implied, making it seem almost more intense. Awesome and highly recommended.

Surprisingly good
My apologies in advance to the legion of fans out there, but somehow the idea of a "good" Frank Sinatra film seems oxymoronic. But this is a fine film, with Sinatra believable as the American martinet, and a simply outstanding supporting cast. I must single out for special mention the wonderful performance by Edward Mulhare, a much underrated actor, who rarely had the opportunity to show what he could do. His performance as Father Costanza is a gem, and one of the elements that makes this movie really work (and his German is excellent!).

Top Quality
This is a great WWII movie with a wonderful storyline. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

They don't make 'em like this anymore. Well, John Waters might, if he ever had a big enough budget. A steamy "inside look" at the alternately sleazy and glamorous world of catfighting, backbiting show-biz starlets, this Hollywood hit from the bestselling novel by Jacqueline Susann is a high-gloss camp artifact--a time capsule (or some kind of capsule, anyway)--from the screwy '60s, when a broad was a broad, a bitch was a bitch (whether "her" name was Neely O'Hara or Ted Casablanca), and a "doll" was a prescription drug. These dames of whine and poses obsessed over their bust lines, booze, and barbiturates. The once-shocking and scandalous language and behavior of these Broadway babes has been eclipsed by Dallas, Dynasty, and Melrose Place, but time has only enhanced the stature of Valley of the Dolls as a classic--and it still puts Showgirls to shame. With Patty Duke, Susan Hayward, Sharon Tate, Lee Grant, Barbara Parkins, and Martin Milner (and juicy, scene-chewing dialogue such as the infamous: "They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway. But Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope--now get out of my way, I've got a man waiting for me!"), Valley of the Dolls is the Mount Rushmore of backstage movie melodramas. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (117)

"Outta My Way......... I've Got A Man Waiting For Me!".
The above review title is just one of the juicy, over the top lines piled on in this delicious treat which probably has one of the most campiest reputations of any movie from the glorious 1960's which was rich in such efforts. People just love to hate this trashy but highly enjoyable movie based on the best seller by Jacqueline Susann and I have to admit I love every tacky and wildly over the top moment myself. Never I believe has one film abounded with so many (possibly), unintentionally hysterical moments from Patty Duke's wild rehearsal number with a string necklace that seems to have a provocative mind of its own in showing off her... ummm, shall we say "chief assests", to Sharon Tate agreeing with her mother over the phone that "yes I know I have no talent and yes I am continuing with my breast exercises mother!", to Susan Hayward's ghastly "hit Broadway show", number complete with a ridiculous revolving mobile made up of plastic shapes that look like multi coloured body parts. The highlight of course of the entire film is the infamous wig pulling scene in the ladies room between long time rivals Patty Duke as the Judy Garland like Neely O'Hara and Susan Hayward playing Helen Lawson, a character based loosely on Broadway Diva Ethel Merman. For this scene alone "Valley of the Dolls", has earned a dubious immortalitybut which nevertheless makes this film essential viewing.

"Valley of the Dolls", of course chronicles the ups and mostly downs of three young career women who find life contains alot of ugliness beneath the glitter. The three women are the intelligent brunette Anne Welles (Barbara Parkins), who comes from her conservative New England town to create an exciting new life for herself in New York, an up and coming singer Neely O'Hara (Patty Duke), who has a brilliant talent but also a self destructive element in her character, and finally the beautiful leggy blonde Jennifer North (Sharon Tate), who has limited talent but stunning looks that open doors for her. Anne becomes involved with Lyon Burke (Paul Burke), at who's theatrical law firm she works, Neely gets discovered singing on a telethon and shoots to the height of stardom only to come crashing down with her misuse of pills or "Dolls", after which she also ruins Anne's chance at happiness by stealing Paul away from her. Meanwhile Jennifer sees her life cave in as her partner Tony (Tony Scotti), is struck down by a crippling disease and she is reduced to appearing in French porn movies to pay his bills only to discover then that she has breast cancer herself. While these women are experiencing the school of hard knocks one survivor goes on untouched by the human tragedy. Broadway Diva Helen Lawson (Susan Hayward), a tough and cold veteran of the theatrical world continues to pull all the strings when she gets Neely fired from her show when she sees her as a potential rival and after Neely's disgrace in Hollywood sees her fail a second time as a result of her pill abuse. Helen is a cold calculating woman, a "barracuda", as she lovingly describes herself, who istotally alone in the world and will do anything to hold on to her piece of turf which of course is her stardom on Broadway. The women all find their own ways to deal or not deal with their situations and we see Anne eventually return to the sane but predictable life she left in New England without Paul who she is not ready to marry, Jennifer commits suicide rather than face the terrors of breast cancer surgery, and Neely after completely ruining her chance at a comeback on Broadway finds herself alone, unwanted, and out of a job with only her "dolls", for company.

Certainly the original novel by Jacqueline Susann could never be called a literary classic, being exploitation fiction of the worst kind but the film has managed to take on a cult status uniquely its own over the years. It's shameless characters very clearly based on real personalities of the time like Judy Garland and Ethel Merman, it's terrible dialogue and hilarious situations that produce laughs even when it is meant to be serious have ensured that "Valley of the Dolls", is a camp classic of the first order. It's really hard to judge the performances in this piece considering the dialogue/situations the actresses had to work with . Patty Duke who probably earned the most flak from this production playing the drug soaked singing sensation clearly based on Judy Garland talked about this film in some length in her excellent autobiography "Call Me Anna", and still shudders when her involvement in this film is brought up. A wondefully talented actress, her scenery chewing here just defies belief but her over the top character gives this film alot of its bizzare appeal. Barbara Parkins truly is like a living mannequin in this film playing the "sensible", one of the three with her lacquered hair and flawless makeup and her scenes where she literally over night becomes the "Gillian Girl", are hilarious in their tackiness. The tragic Sharon Tate still most famous for her terrible murder certainly has a breathtaking beauty but she has very little character to work with and her scenes where she talks to her mother on the phone are (unintentionally I'm sure), amazingly hilarious for all the wrong reasons. Susan Hayward came into this unhappy production late into production after the original choice to play the bitchy Helen Lawson, Judy Garland was fired. I find I miss Hayward's campy character when she is not on screen and she has some of the most memorably awful scenes and dialogue in the film from gems like "Tell that son of a bitch to get off his butt and earn his oats" to "They drummed you right outta Hollwood and you come crawling back to Broadway, well Broadway doesn't go for booze or dope!".The atrocious musical number from her Broadway show is a camp highlight where a seemingly dazed Hayward sings a bizzare little ditty called "I Plant My Own Tree", to an unfathomly appreciative audience. On the plus side "Valley of the Dolls", is a lush, beautifully photographed production with the shots of a snow covered New England and the streets of New York a real highlight. Despite it's tacky nature you can see that Twentieth Century Fox went all out in this big screen adaptation of the best selling novel. And for those interested in celebrity spotting Jacqueline Susann who later disowned the film version of her book makes a small cameo appearance as a reporter in the scene where Jennifer North's body is wheeled out to the ambulance.

A camp favourite not to be taken seriously at all is how to best describe "Valley of the Dolls". It's pulp magazine level of storytelling ruins any chance of this story being a serious examination of the plight of young working women however as over the top entertainment this is first class and always gets people talking and laughing about the sheer awfulness of much of it. People are even known as having "Valley of the Dolls", parties with the guests dressed as the characters with the movie playing in the background so I guess it has earned it's questionable place in the entertainment history. Sit back and enjoy the darker side of the glitzy glamour life in 1960's Broadway and Hollywood in the notorious film version of Jacqueline Susann's "Valley of the Dolls", soon.

"You gimme back my hair, you little b*tch!"
This entire movie could make up an arm's-length list of unforgettable quotes. I am almost embarrassed to admit I know 75% of the dialogue by heart! I first saw this film on the late show back in 1981 with my Mom and immediately became obsessed with it. The next day I grabbed the paperback from my parents' bookcase and read it cover to cover. I still prefer the movie. I had no idea back then it would become such a cult classic as the years went on. I thought it was my own private guilty pleasure! Why on earth hasn't the studio released this on DVD? It was bad enough it took them until 1993 to get it out on VHS. Do they not realize there's a GOLD MINE here? The video has grossed some thirty million bucks in sales and rentals in its 12 years on the market. Fans are clamoring for a deluxe DVD release, which should include multiple commentaries from Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke and others, and of course, that prized lost footage featuring Judy Garland as Helen Lawson. Judy's legions of fans will willingly snap this up for a glimpse of what would have been her final film role, guaranteeing bigger sales than the video for sure! 20th Century Fox...are you LISTENING?? I can only hope that when the DVD release arrives that the person in charge of the audio corrects the sound on all the musical numbers. I have an old tape of this recorded off a local channel and the orchestra sounds fantastic during the musical sequences, although the print is faded and scratchy. On the VHS version, the vocals have been brought so forward the music is barely audible, which is a shame because you can't fully appreciate the musical numbers based on the VHS tape.

The 60's were NOT a groovy decade for young vulnerable women
Based on the same book by Jackie Susann, this film is an 'inside' look at the obstacles young women face in order to make it to the top. The obviously 60's music, hairstyles/clothing are of secondary importance to the general ambience and message of this work.

Since I am part of the generation who was raised on Dallas and then 90210, the film itself is not very shocking with regards to content. We now know that lots of young women across the country (ab)use prescription drugs and have a laundry list of other problems to deal with on a semi-regular basis. Even if we are not doing these things, we know plenty of other young women (including our own friends) are.

Yet, I am obligated to remember that this film (like the book) was made in a time when the American people were very good at playing naive. We assumed that rich people/aspiring starlets had no problems---or if they did, we should not hear about it. This lulled most people (except those experiencing harships of course) into a false sense of complacency. We confused the lack of public acknowllegement with a lack of public problems.

Even if Susann had only meant to generate money with the book and then this film, it critiqued power structures in a way which the radicals of her day (and mine) cannot accomplish with their own more blatant theoretical works. Beneath the camp in Susann's work is a serious discussion of all the things which young women have to go through in order to attempt making it to the top reaches of our supposedly egalitarian society.

Campy Fun!!!
I love this movie.Patty Duke is great as the spoiled primadonna, and gives a petulantly wonderful performance.What a BRAT!!!Everything else is just perfect about this schlockfest.Highly recommended for a campy good time.

Woefully Miscast
Except for the lovely Sharon Tate, who fit the WRITTEN character of the book to a 'T,' the lead actors cast were inappropriate for their characters. For example, it was always stressed in the book that Anne was a cool blond with icy blue eyes: Barbara Parkins was a dark brunette with brown eyes. I love Paul Burke (12 O'Clock High, Daddy'S Gone A-Hunting), but he was not Lyon Burke. Patty Duke was so-so as far as a choice, certainly better than Parkins (Peyton Place, Captains & The Kings). However, as a slice of 60's cinematic Americana, the film is pretty standard and ok. ... Read more