If I Were King (1938)
“If it’s so easy to be king, how would you begin?”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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“If it’s so easy to be king, how would you begin?”
Synopsis: |
Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
Must See? Links: |
“If dad’s evidence was so important that they had to murder him, we’ll be running the same risk.”
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Review: Note: Ford apparently claimed of this film, “I didn’t want to do that picture, and I raised hell, but I had it under contract. I made it but I didn’t see it.” Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“History is born out of a bottle of wine.”
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Response to Peary’s Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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“What this country needs is bigger and better patriots!”
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It’s highly disconcerting to see a would-be protagonist like Bogart so easily caught up in murderous, cowardly behavior — which I suppose is exactly the point. We’re meant to be shocked and horrified by what we see carried out here, and we are. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“He is the kind of boy you really hoped for — isn’t he, Joe?”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“Don’t worry: Tyler and his partner will get a fair trial whether they deserve it or not.”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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“How do you keep smiling with a stiff upper lip?”
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Review: Scripted by the prolific British novelist, playwright, screenwriter, producer, broadcaster, and social commentator J.B. Priestley, the storyline goes in unexpected directions while effectively skewering class expectations, and demonstrating the almost inconceivable power that lies in simply knowing the “right” people and being in the “right” places. Though I’m not a fan of the film’s twist ending, that’s a minor quibble, and the movie overall remains very much worth a look. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Categories
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“Why does it always have to be you?”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“He’s my uncle — and my enemy.”
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Review: Sanders plays a typically sadistic baddie with nothing but ill intent up his sleeve, though Power is resilient and more than up to the task of facing him. This well-shot adventure-revenge tale covers quite a bit of territory (literally) in its 98 minutes of running time, and features numerous notable supporting performances — particularly by Elsa Lanchester as a helpful prostitute tickled pink to be interacting with nobility. While not must-see for all film fanatics, it’s well worth a look by those who enjoy this kind of historical adventure drama. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“He is not a man; Andre is a shadow on the wall that flickers when the music plays.”
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Review: — is the worst culprit; “And my heart… performed a minuet… in an ashcan”) and odd strains of humor — viz. a flamboyantly fey producer (Michael Chekhov) with a Bob’s Big Boy-esque pompadour who swoons over Kirov’s bare chest and is constantly avoiding payments to his set designer and musicians. Meanwhile, Anderson plays it straight as a dour grand dame of dance, but one wonders what kind of movie she thinks she’s acting in. The strengths of this low-budget film lie in its visuals (Hecht worked with DP Lee Garmes as usual) and the unexpectedly humorous earnestness of its lead characters; during a particularly noteworthy scene, Kirov and Essen make love to each other with and through their eyes: “Hug me with your eyes… Harder.” George Antheil’s unique score is also worth a mention. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
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