6/10
Your star is not above.
25 November 2020
Two years after "written on the wind" ,here they are again: Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack ; like in Douglas Sirk's classic ,they get married and they haven't got any children.There the comparison ends .Although the cast and credits and the sparkling colors are enthusing , Jean Negulesco is no match for Sirk.

Besides,this is a remake of "sentimental journey" , in which the leads were Maureen O 'Hara and John Payne ; one should notice that the part of William Bendix , who shared top billing with both stars , has been reduced ,and Lorne Greene who replaces him is only supporting .

Like O'Hara in the original film,one finds it hard to believe Bacall has a heart condition ; ditto for Stark: a masculine man,he's as miscast as Payne .And he's not very credible as an astronomer ,solving his equations . By and large ,"sentimental journey" was more convincing ;a ghostly Julie says :" you both were looking for me ,and you've missed each other "; these appearances beyond the grave -except for the last picture -have been suppressed in the color version: the little girl hears her adoptive mom's voice ,but we do not hear it .Evelyn Rudie is a cute little girl ,but they had her overplay in the scenes when she neighs (brays more like).To have her return to the orphanage was an unnecessary change .

Vic Damone's syrupy song hints at the Fall,when the leaves fall down ,which indicates that the character will have to brace themselves when tragedy strikes.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed