“Jamaica Inn,” “What a Life,” “Fast and Furious” (Movie Reviews-10/12/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 10/12/39 | Frank S. Nugent, B.R.C., B.C.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime”.)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Last week we had Ingrid Bergman’s first American movie. Today we have Alfred Hitchcock’s last English movie before he moves to Hollywood.

Here is a trailer for the third of today’s reviews, a “Thin Man” knock off.

“Fast and Furious” trailer

[wagglebee]

They were right, “Jamaica Inn” was quite possibly Hitchcock’s worst movie despite an impressive cast.

[Mikey_1962]

“What a Life” sounds forgettable except I didn't know Hedda Hopper was an actress, I only knew her as a gossip columnist.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I didn't know Hedda Hopper was an actress, I only knew her as a gossip columnist.

She also had a speaking role in "The Women," from last month. (See post of 9/22.)

[MinuteGal]

"Jamaica Inn" was possibly Hitchcock's worst movie......"

Correcto. But watching Charles Laughton act, even just looking at him, was always worth the price of the 25-cents admission charge of the day.

Laughton was one of the greatest film character actors ever, in my opinion. He was nominated twice for Oscars....."Mutiny on the Bounty", 1935, and "Witness for the Prosecution", 1957. He won only one of the the golden statuettes......for the lead in "The Private Life of Henry VIII", 1934.

His role in "Witness" lost out to Alec Guinness who starred in "The Bridge on the River Kwai. Laughton's role in "Mutiny" was deemed lesser than Victor McLaglin as "The Informer", a decision, which in my opinion, was a travesty.

Who can ever forget Laughton as the sadistic Captain Bligh in one of the greatest adventure films ever made !

Leni

[wagglebee]

I agree, Charles Laughton was incredible, but this movie was horrible. I love Hitchcock, but “Jamaica Inn” is flat-out boring.

[stefanbatory]

so they had a movie pre WW2 about little Japanese cars running around wrecklessly on American streets? pre war propaganda? /sarc