“Primrose Path,” “It’s a Date,” “Virginia City” (Movie Reviews-3/23/40)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, Cabrillo College Library | 3/23/40 | Frank S. Nugent, B.R.C., B.C., H.T.S., Douglas W. Churchill

[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” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
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]

“Virginia City” original trailer

[Homer_J_Simpson]

This week’s movies are a bit on the obscure side.

“It’s a Date” original trailer

[PAR35]

I saw Viginia City on TV years ago. From what I recall, I didn’t like it because the good guys (the Confederates) didn’t prevail.

Fairly typical Randolph Scott western, I don’t know why they put Errol Flynn and Bogart in it. Both were miscast.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I saw Viginia City on TV years ago.

Netflix should be delivering a copy to me today. I'll check it out tomorrow after Mrs. Homer leaves. (Not a western fan.)

BTW, TCM is airing "Primrose Path" tonight at 10:30 PDT. Their description:

"The youngest child in a family of prostitutes tries to go straight with a working man."

How they hoped to get a story like that past the 1940 censors in a recognizable form is beyond me.

More 1940 movies on TCM today and the wee hours tomorrow - "Kitty Foyle," at 5 PDT, and "Lucky Partners" at 12:15 am. A Ginger Rogers festival.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Fairly typical Randolph Scott western, I don’t know why they put Errol Flynn and Bogart in it. Both were miscast.

Nugent doesn't seem to like Flynn much. After considering a few of his efforts I am beginning to see why. Bogart's character was just silly. What was he supposed to be - a Mexican deserter from the Confederate cavalry? I don't think anyone could have made that believable. But the painted-on mustache and his weird accent didn't help. Miriam Hopkins is a comely little thing. I don't remember seeing her in other movies. Nugent didn't care for her acting. I suppose she doesn't make us forget Bette Davis.

[PAR35]

Flynn should have stuck to costumed dramas with sword play. Westerns weren’t a good fit.

Miriam Hopkins
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394244/

“Born in Savannah, Georgia and brought up in nearby Bainbridge” - yes, a quick 5 hour drive of only about 250 miles. Farther drive than from New York City to Boston. Accuracy must not be a virtue for the IMDB.

After her death, her girlhood home in Bainbridge fell into ruin. I suppose it was eventually demolished, but it may have been restored. Haven’t been in that part of the world in many years.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I guess I'm not paying close enough attention. From imdb.com I learned that Miriam Hopkins co-starred in "The Old Maid," the review of which I posted on August 12 of last year.

"The Old Maid" review, 8/12/39

Nugent was kinder to her for that portrayal, blaming the flaws in her characterization on the director or screenwriter.