Amazon.com

The promise of "One Hundred Beautiful Girls on Horseback" and a personalappearance by the Tommy Dorsey orchestra are among the enticements of this 1943MGM musical, a typical installment in the Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland let's-put-on-a-show genre. Not typical is the quality of the songbook, which trots outsome sublime George and Ira Gershwin tunes: "Embraceable You," "FascinatingRhythm," and a meltingly plaintive Garland solo on "But Not for Me." The plothas rich kid Rooney, energized as usual, sent away to a boys' school in the WildWest as a way of containing his mania (see title). The only gal in town isJudy, the granddaughter of the school's dean. The stars are affectionatelymatched, and musical fans will enjoy the young June Allyson belting out a spunky"Treat Me Rough." Rooney's comedy routine, imitating various radio personalities(including boxing champ Joe Louis), is one of those topical bits that willalmost certainly puzzle viewers today. The director is Norman Taurog, an MGMworkhorse who would later helm many of Elvis Presley's desultory vehicles. BusbyBerkeley staged the rave-up finale to "I Got Rhythm," but the most beguilingproduction number is "Bidin' My Time," sung by Garland and some cowpokes--adroll performance with surrealistic flourishes. Girl Crazy seems nobetter or worse than the average musical of the era, but it was a huge hit, andRooney would never reach this pinnacle of box-office success again. --RobertHorton ... Read more

Reviews (10)

FAST AND FUNNY
In GIRL CRAZY, Rooney and Garland finally grow up, despite the best intentions of a formula which saw them as kids on stage in film after film. Judy plays Ginger Gray, the daughter of a college president. The character Garland once described as "Dorothy Adorable", once given free rein in BABES ON BROADWAY (1941), BABES IN ARMS (1939) or the Andy Hardy movies, has, however, grown more complex. Ginger Gray shows the contradictory and ironic charm of the latter Garland characters, both vulnerable and quick to laugh at herself in a way that the roles as "Dorothy Adorable" hardly suggest. Berkeley films such as BABES IN ARMS & BABES ON BROADWAY had used the familiar "let's put a show on" theme as a glorious excuse for Garland, Rooney and dozens of other chorus folk to concoct variety shows. Although Norman Taurog's (he was Jackie Cooper's uncle) direction and staging of the musical numbers reflected the beginnings of a new style in film musicals, the plot of GIRL CRAZY is completely conventional. Not only are Rooney and Garland featured in virtually every scene, but they usually dominate the frame in Taurog's composition. Tommy Dorsey's orchestra provides the swingy ambience and the musical score is outstanding: "But Not for Me", "I Got Rhythm" "Embraceable You" "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Bidin' My Time" along with 7 others!

Isn't this great!!!!
This CD just came in the mail today. Just popped it in the player and I love it already! Judy's major numbers on this disc are featured on several of her Decca studio recordings, which is where I heard them first. But the original soundtrack performances, as heard here, are the best yet! This is, without a doubt, the best recording of the fabulous Gershwin score (although the 1952 Mary Martin cast album, now the only version in print, is good too). Garland and Rooney always worked so well together. The sound on the disc is wonderful - you'd never know it was made in 1943! All selections are in STEREO (except the Main Title, in monaural), thanks to the (as always) wonderful remastering and remixing job by Rhino/Turner. Unfortunately this disc is out of print, and its a shame that it is (I got my copy via Ebay). Keep an eye open for it, though. No faults with this one; it's great! As another reviewer states, these are quite possibly some of the greatest numbers ever put on film and disc!

One song in particular makes this movie special
I'm giving this film 5 stars based on one particular song in the film: "Bidin' my time". This performance by Judy just knocked my socks off when I caught it some time ago on late-night television. The rest of the film is fine too, but I'm a nut about music (all music from classical to rock) and after hearing this particular rendition I just had to own it. There's something different about how she and her group perform this song. I don't quite know how to describe it but it caught my interest immediately. It seems somehow ahead of its time. Anyway, that particular performance is just a joy to watch. I noticed that the commercial review had also picked up on this particular song.

Some of the best musical numbers ever put on film are here
I ignored this movie for years thinking it was just another over-exuberant essay in the over-abundant MGM collection of sappy adolescent musicals. I'm glad that listening to an English revival of the original musical finally motivated me to watch it, because some of the best musical numbers ever put on film are here. Busby Berkeley started as the director but was replaced for supposedly tyrannical behavior. His production numbers appear at the end and are quite amazing, choreographing "I've Got Rhythm" with guns and bullwhips. All the numbers on this movie are quite exceptional, in particular "Biding My Time" one of the Gershwin brothers' finest and most surprising tunes, but also "Treat Me Rough" and "Could You Use Me". And the arrangements are some of the best I've ever heard, anticipating the harmonies of the Hi-Los and the Four Freshmen by a decade and a half. Judy has never looked prettier nor sung as purely and Mickey pulls out all the stops without (well, almost) going over the top. He even plays a terrific piano solo, with Tommy Dorsey! I never get tired of watching this movie. It's an explosion of pure pleasure.

The fun never stops...
This is Mickey and Judy's best film together. They play off each other wonderfully and Judy's laughter is infectious. But it's the GREAT musical score that makes "Girl Crazy" a movie to go crazy about. This was their last starring feature together (she went on to bigger things in the years following) so get it, tuck it away and keep it for a rainy day when you need a reminder of how talented this screen duo was. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Classy And Spirited
This Film Wasn't As Bad AS I Thought It Would BE, Greer Garson Is Good, Walter Pidgeon Is Somewhat Boring, Edward Arnold Is Not As Good As I Thought He Would Be, Gladys Cooper Is Mediocre, Agnes Moorehead Is Great, Frances Rafferty Was So Good In This Film, And Tom Drake Had Such A Short Role Though I Love Him And His Acting. Perfect Film For Anybody Whom Is Interested With Any Of These People!

Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon together again
"Mrs. Parkington" was MGM's most expensive film produced in 1944 and indeed at this time Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon warranted the lavish expenditure as they were the most popular couple in films after their smashing sucesses in "Blossoms In The Dust", "Madame Curie", and of course the unforgettable "Mrs Miniver". Here we see Greer Garson playing another "Mrs" however Susie Parkington is very different to the stoic Mrs Miniver of the 1942 film.

Greer Garson was at first very reluctant to take on such an ambitious period piece again so soon after her involvement in the above mentioned films. She was desperate to try a comic role where she could show off her comedy timing learnt in her years of theatre work in London. Louis B. Mayer however saw her as the refined ladylike character of period dramas or sentimental contemporary pieces like "Mrs. Miniver". Indeed his judgement was spot on here as these roles suited Greer Garson to a tee despite her relutance to play them. "Mrs. Parkington" adapted from the novel by Louis Bromfeld of the previous year, contains a sprawling story set over a long period of time and sees Garson age from a young girl who helps her mother run a boarding house in a mining town to being a Grand Dowager of over eighty presiding over the financial and moral decay of her sprawling offspring. The story begins on Christmas Eve where the eighty seven year old widowed Susie Parkington is confronted by a family crisis when her grandson Amory Stilham (Edward Arnold) is in danger of being convicted for using funds illegally and is threatened with a jail sentence. During this evening Susie reflects on her whole life and we are taken back to the time when she first met her husband Maj. Gus Parkington and how her life took its upwardly mobile direction to the heights of New York wealth and success. Along the way we are treated to another beautiful acting experience courtesy of Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. The screen chemistry here is wonderful to behold but the characters they are playing here are very different to their work as the Minivers. Walter Pidgeon's character in particular is out of a much harder mould than his normally reserved Gentlemenly persona. Not the devoted husband here he is a bit of a scoundrel with a roving eye and a temper. The scene where the Parkington's invite all of New York society to a lavish dinner party and no one turns up is quite disturbing with Maj. Parkington getting all of the staff to join in on the feast in his fury. Greer Garson had never had to age so much in any of her previous films and while the makeup is commendable she really is more convincing as the younger Susie who is in awe of Gus's lifestyle and sophisticated friends. Nevertheless in the scenes of the present on Christmas Eve she lends a commanding presence in the family scenes.

"Mrs. Parkington" supplies a wonderful supporting cast, first and foremost the gifted Agnes Moorehead plays Susie's best friend and support Baroness Aspasia Conti who also happens to be an old beau of Gus. Moorehead is superb as the world weary but kind hearted support for Susie and she received an Academy Award nomination for his role. Edward Arnold shines in the role of the good for nothing Amory and Gladys Cooper and Frances Rafferty round out the family cast as the vicious and selfishly decadent members of Susie's clan. Veteran character actor Cecil Kellaway has a small but memorable role as the Prince of Wales who Susie meets but fails to recognise in a very comic scene at a country hunt when she has come to England to "reclaim" her straying husband.

Being MGM's biggest production that year inevitably the film boasts superb production values. Cedric Gibbons excels yet again in his interior design with the Parkington mansion being like something out of this world. The film displays beautiful black and white photography, costumes that are lavish but also historically accurate and an overall polish to be expected from MGM in its prime. Considering the wartime restrictions during this it is amazing how lavish this film was however costs were cut in nonobvious ways one instance being at the famous dinner party where all the displayed food on the tables was in actual fact cardboard cutouts!!

"Mrs Parkington" is yet another in the long line of Garson/Pidgeon accomplishments that never fail to entertain audiences. Like the Powell/Loy, Gable/Crawford teamings there is a special magic between them that made their work together in whatever roles so special. Here is no exception and for a story dealing with family turmoil, greed and regret it cannot be bettered. Highly recommended viewing.

You gotta give this 5 stars!
This lengthy and not overlong? You'll find this epic entertaining throughout. My favorite moment is when Walter Pidgen shows Garson that fabulous mansion telling her it belongs to a friend of his, when in reality It was a gift for her! In my opinion, the best "married" couple in the movies. Don't miss this.

THE ORIGINAL "MISS ELLIE"?
"MRS. PARKINGTON," the MGM film adaptation of the 1943 Louis Bromfeld novel of the same name is one of Greer Garson's better films. The story unfolds, in flashback, as the elderly Mrs. Parkington reminisces on Christmas Eve, about her life, love, family, and future. It's amazing how MGM could edit a multi-generational epic into 2 hours without diminishing the plot to a synopsis. Imagine squeezing the entire 14 seasons of the TV series "DALLAS" into a 2-hour film, as recalled by Miss Ellie on a Christmas Eve, and you pretty much have MGM's "Mrs. Parkington." Of course, with Greer Garson being the biggest box office draw of the 1940's, and Louis B. Mayer's prize star, you can expect the grand MGM treatment (exquisite black and white cinematography, period costume design, exterior and interior set design, makeup, crystal chandeliers, statuary, antiques, French-stripe wallpaper, "the whole nine yards," as it were...). But the plot, starting in 19th-century Nevada, ending in 20th-century Manhattan, is the core of the film. The storyline runs the epic trail of hardship, pain, struggle, success, reflection, dilemma, and ultimate grand choice which will determine the future. It's all there. It's just more fun to watch when glossed over in the signature MGM manner. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon once again make for one of the better leading screen "couples" of film's "golden era," right up there with couples like "Crawford and Gable," or "Tracy and Hepburn." In the end, Mrs. Parkington proves to be the "iron fist in the velvet glove." Watching her life will show the audience how life experience evolved her to such inner strength and wisdom, as it does with (hopefully) most people. Due to the story, "MRS. PARKINGTON" is a great film for Christmas Eve....or any eve, for that matter.... ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second half of this 1943 Technicolor musical is an excuse for MGM's contract talent to perform songs and sketches in a big show at an Army base. Unfortunately, more than an hour passes before the show arrives, stranding the viewer with a thin service comedy about an opera singer (Kathryn Grayson) tagging along to a military camp in hopes of reuniting her estranged parents, whose names are Bill and Hillary (no comments, please). Romance comes in the form of private Gene Kelly, a former trapeze artist who misses the glory of his former life. Grayson warbles, and Kelly has one nifty solo dance (with a mop and broom), but the all-star revue is the movie's main attraction. The song selection is generally poor ("I Dug a Ditch in Wichita" is performed twice), with Lena Horne's sultry take on "Honeysuckle Rose" an exception. She's backed by Benny Carter and His Orchestra. Specialty player Virginia O'Brien delights with one of her deadpan numbers, Eleanor Powell tap dances, and Judy Garland delivers with a boogie-woogie lilt on "Jumpin' Down at Carnegie Hall." Comedy sketches with Red Skelton and Frank Morgan are stubbornly unfunny. Then there'sJosé Iturbi, the Spanish-born conductor, making his film debut at thebeginning of his run as MGM's supposedly cute highbrow. Director George Sidneywould team up two years later with Iturbi, Kelly, and Grayson in Anchors Aweigh, a much more enjoyable musical confection. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This is one of my favorite Kathryn Grayson movies
I love this movie. Most people only watch it because of all the MGM stars in it. i personally think this is the most boring part of the picture. I enjoy the romance between Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson much more than the songs, dances, and comedy scetches of the stars. The only thing I think is wrong with this movie is that Kathyrn Gryason only sings three songs which is hardly displaying her talent (although the songs are pretty good), and Gene Kelly only dances once. I'd like to say to anybody thinking of seeing this movie: go for it. It's wonderful!

Thousands cheer--when it's finally over!
With a cast like this, I thought how they go wrong? Well, they managed! This movie goes on forever, with a plot that's predictable from the first few minutes, yet keeps dragging on and on. The only relief is Gene Kelly's dance routine with a mop, but otherwise there's little that's even musical about it. Be prepared to fast forward to the real entertainment, which is about an hour and half into the movie. During a "show for the soldiers," the film makers bring on a huge cast of stars who all have brief songs or scenes. Lena Horne is beautiful as always singing "Honeysuckle Rose," Red Skelton does a pretty funny skit, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Lucille Ball, Gloria de Haven, and June Allyson are all right, and Virginia O'Brian is wonderful. Unfortunately, except for these few numbers near the end, it's not worth watching, even for major Gene Kelly fans.

A cavalcade of MGM stars
MGM redefines the big-screen musical extravaganza in this 1943 roll-out of MGM stars... Gene Kelly and Katheryn Grayson, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, Red Skelton and Margaret O'Brien, plus Lucille Ball, Donna Reed, Ann Southern, Lena Horne, Frank (Oz) Morgan, Mary Astor, June Allyson, and John Boles and Ish Kabibble with Kay Kyser's big band. (At the time bigger than Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Or Tommy Dorsey.)

Filled with great period jive and swing numbers, Thousands Cheer capsules everything dear to a 40's teenager. On the brink of World War II this movie was a morale-lifter for our boys. The finale used the largest sound-stage in MGM history. Call it a 'don't miss,' call it a 'must-have,' and give it thumbs up and five stars.

For die-hard Kelly fans only
Despite the stars in the cast, this is ultimately disappointing. Granted, one doesn't usually watch this kind of all-star musical for the plot, but even so, this is especially weak on characterization and narrative drive. The stars are all concentrated in the last half-hour, and some of them are fun to see; actually, the best bit is Mickey Rooney doing impressions of Clark Gable and Lionel Barrymore (and his Barrymore is dead on!). Getting to the end, however, is tedious. The wartime romance angle is routine, spiced up only by some probably unintended Oedipal tension between the girl (Kathryn Grayson) and her father. Gene Kelly is energetic, charming, and sexy in one of his earliest roles, and he's about the only reason to watch this movie.

Stars Galore!
There are so many stars in this movie and is one of the greatest collaberation of stars ever assembled in one movie and at the end of the movie there is a special treat and is a must have! The stars that do what they do best include: Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, Mary Astor, Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, Ann Sothern, Lena Horne, Margaret O' Brian, Marilyn Maxwell, Marsha Hunt, June Allyson, Gloria De Haven, Frank Morgan, Virginia O'Brien, Lucille Ball, Donna Reed, and Mickey Rooney. Can I say more? Simply the greatest stars assembled in one movie! ... Read more

Description

Film version of popular book by Peal S. Buck about the Japanese occupation of China during WWII. The focus is on the impact that the occupation had on local families. In the end, an heroic young woman leads the local farm people in a revolt against the in ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very good, haunting film, even today.
Even though Katherine Hepburn makes a lousy visual Chinawoman, she is still a great woman and it comes out in this film. Very soon into the viewing you fully believe in her. The plot is full of horrors; the rape of Nanking jabs me a lot harder in this 1944 movie than blood-spattered killings do in, say, Blade. When this film came out it rated as propaganda, but recent it has come out that a lot of this kind of stuff did happen and so this is a valid historic document. I have not read the Pearl Buck novel, but I've read other novels of hers and "Dragon Seed" rings true.

WOW! Excellent movie!
I really don't understand the review beneath mine. Such a one as that gives no justice to a movie so great as this one. My review will be divided into two paragraphs, the first, a basic paragraph with no spoilers, and the second, a paragraph which will have spoilers but will not spoil the movie (i mean i can watch the movie twice and enjoy it more the 2nd time around!) *no spoilers! *The movie does not fill the roles of every (or even many) of the characters with Chinese actors/actresses. At first this may seem to degrade the quality of the movie, but it is only a first impression. And plus the actors play their roles VERY well! If you have read the book, you will find this movie to be loyal to the book throughout most of the plot. Only small and minor events in the book are shortened or excluded in the movie. Only one part of the movie is entirely different, and to any fan of the book it is noticable! The scenerary of the movie is excellent. It is sooo excellent that I can't even tell whether it was actaully shot in China (though I doubt it was as the time of the movies' making it would have been quite a hard task with WWII still occuring; this all the harder with the very intent of the movie! ) The movie has wonderful special effects that are all the more appreciable concidering the creation of the movie in 1944. The only complaint, which is small anyways, is that some parts of the movie are spoken in low whispers so that the TV must be set with a higher than normal volume level. But as I said, this is no HUGE problem. In conclusion, the movie has good actors, a wonderful plot, excellent photagraphy/special effects, and is worth buying. *spoilerwarning! *This paragraph has quite a number of spoilers. I only wish to describe in this paragraph specifically the major differences between the book and the movie (therefore, this paragraph is useless to anyone who has not read the book). First of all, in the book Ling Tan had a young daughter that had a major role later in the plot. She does not exist in the movie and so her role does not either. Also, though it WAS mentioned, the place of safe haven in Nanking (of course this is the city outside of which Ling Tan lived!) was never actually used to house Ling Tan's wife, Orchid, Wu Lien's wife, and the children (which is a shame because a BEAUTIFUL scene occured there!). Therefore, Orchid dies in a way different than the book. The fate of Wu Lien is different too. The manner in which Jade secretly goes to the city to do harm to her "conquerors" is different, but only slightly (major one is that she doesn't disquise herself!) Ling Tan's fourth cousin dies differently. Also, the scholar, Ling Tan's kinsmen, does not continually go to Wu Lien to give news, take money, steal the radio, and finally submit to opium; none of that happens in the movie. The last minor difference is that Ling Tan's youngest son does not pursue the woman that Ling Tan's youngest daughter (who as you remember doesn't exist) found for Ling San and also Ling Tan's oldest son does not find another woman after Orchid. Up until this, the story and book are very similar, matching nearly all of the themes; even much of the actual wording is quoted in the movie....that is awesome! But the major change is the very ending. I really don't want to spoil THIS part, so i won't mention how, but it is entirely different from the book and from what Ling Tan would ever think of doing! I think, and you may agree, that this part of the movie was done differently to spread enemy propaganda; remember, this movie was made in 1944, one year before the war with Japan was over, and long before the public had any knowledge of its ending! These changes are both good for they saved time and clearafied things, but bad because many parts of the book were worth keeping and making known to everyone! But i love this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

EXCELLENT MGM OUTING
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO, GOOD FLICK, MGM. NEED SAY MORE

ONE OF ABBOTT & COSTELLO'S BEST FILMS
S. Sylvan Simon directs this HILARIOUS A & C feature. Bud and Lou play a barber and porter in Hollywood. Lucille Ball, Rags Ragland, and director Robert Z. Leonard appear as themselves. The film was originally titled "BUD ABBOTT & LOU COSTELLO IN HOLLYWOOD". This is a FUN film for the WHOLE FAMILY to watch and enjoy.

A&C are in top form in this hilarious MGM outing.
Although, not usually mentioned as one of their funniest, this picture cracks me up every time. The routine where Lou is trying to get to sleep is priceless. As in most of their early films, the boy/girl subplot is a bore, and there are a couple of sappy songs, but the laughs are generous. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

FAST AND FUNNY
In GIRL CRAZY, Rooney and Garland finally grow up, despite the best intentions of a formula which saw them as kids on stage in film after film. Judy plays Ginger Gray, the daughter of a college president. The character Garland once described as "Dorothy Adorable", once given free rein in BABES ON BROADWAY (1941), BABES IN ARMS (1939) or the Andy Hardy movies, has, however, grown more complex. Ginger Gray shows the contradictory and ironic charm of the latter Garland characters, both vulnerable and quick to laugh at herself in a way that the roles as "Dorothy Adorable" hardly suggest. Berkeley films such as BABES IN ARMS & BABES ON BROADWAY had used the familiar "let's put a show on" theme as a glorious excuse for Garland, Rooney and dozens of other chorus folk to concoct variety shows. Although Norman Taurog's (he was Jackie Cooper's uncle) direction and staging of the musical numbers reflected the beginnings of a new style in film musicals, the plot of GIRL CRAZY is completely conventional. Not only are Rooney and Garland featured in virtually every scene, but they usually dominate the frame in Taurog's composition. Tommy Dorsey's orchestra provides the swingy ambience and the musical score is outstanding: "But Not for Me", "I Got Rhythm" "Embraceable You" "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Bidin' My Time" along with 7 others!

Isn't this great!!!!
This CD just came in the mail today. Just popped it in the player and I love it already! Judy's major numbers on this disc are featured on several of her Decca studio recordings, which is where I heard them first. But the original soundtrack performances, as heard here, are the best yet! This is, without a doubt, the best recording of the fabulous Gershwin score (although the 1952 Mary Martin cast album, now the only version in print, is good too). Garland and Rooney always worked so well together. The sound on the disc is wonderful - you'd never know it was made in 1943! All selections are in STEREO (except the Main Title, in monaural), thanks to the (as always) wonderful remastering and remixing job by Rhino/Turner. Unfortunately this disc is out of print, and its a shame that it is (I got my copy via Ebay). Keep an eye open for it, though. No faults with this one; it's great! As another reviewer states, these are quite possibly some of the greatest numbers ever put on film and disc!

One song in particular makes this movie special
I'm giving this film 5 stars based on one particular song in the film: "Bidin' my time". This performance by Judy just knocked my socks off when I caught it some time ago on late-night television. The rest of the film is fine too, but I'm a nut about music (all music from classical to rock) and after hearing this particular rendition I just had to own it. There's something different about how she and her group perform this song. I don't quite know how to describe it but it caught my interest immediately. It seems somehow ahead of its time. Anyway, that particular performance is just a joy to watch. I noticed that the commercial review had also picked up on this particular song.

Some of the best musical numbers ever put on film are here
I ignored this movie for years thinking it was just another over-exuberant essay in the over-abundant MGM collection of sappy adolescent musicals. I'm glad that listening to an English revival of the original musical finally motivated me to watch it, because some of the best musical numbers ever put on film are here. Busby Berkeley started as the director but was replaced for supposedly tyrannical behavior. His production numbers appear at the end and are quite amazing, choreographing "I've Got Rhythm" with guns and bullwhips. All the numbers on this movie are quite exceptional, in particular "Biding My Time" one of the Gershwin brothers' finest and most surprising tunes, but also "Treat Me Rough" and "Could You Use Me". And the arrangements are some of the best I've ever heard, anticipating the harmonies of the Hi-Los and the Four Freshmen by a decade and a half. Judy has never looked prettier nor sung as purely and Mickey pulls out all the stops without (well, almost) going over the top. He even plays a terrific piano solo, with Tommy Dorsey! I never get tired of watching this movie. It's an explosion of pure pleasure.

The fun never stops...
This is Mickey and Judy's best film together. They play off each other wonderfully and Judy's laughter is infectious. But it's the GREAT musical score that makes "Girl Crazy" a movie to go crazy about. This was their last starring feature together (she went on to bigger things in the years following) so get it, tuck it away and keep it for a rainy day when you need a reminder of how talented this screen duo was. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very good, haunting film, even today.
Even though Katherine Hepburn makes a lousy visual Chinawoman, she is still a great woman and it comes out in this film. Very soon into the viewing you fully believe in her. The plot is full of horrors; the rape of Nanking jabs me a lot harder in this 1944 movie than blood-spattered killings do in, say, Blade. When this film came out it rated as propaganda, but recent it has come out that a lot of this kind of stuff did happen and so this is a valid historic document. I have not read the Pearl Buck novel, but I've read other novels of hers and "Dragon Seed" rings true.

WOW! Excellent movie!
I really don't understand the review beneath mine. Such a one as that gives no justice to a movie so great as this one. My review will be divided into two paragraphs, the first, a basic paragraph with no spoilers, and the second, a paragraph which will have spoilers but will not spoil the movie (i mean i can watch the movie twice and enjoy it more the 2nd time around!) *no spoilers! *The movie does not fill the roles of every (or even many) of the characters with Chinese actors/actresses. At first this may seem to degrade the quality of the movie, but it is only a first impression. And plus the actors play their roles VERY well! If you have read the book, you will find this movie to be loyal to the book throughout most of the plot. Only small and minor events in the book are shortened or excluded in the movie. Only one part of the movie is entirely different, and to any fan of the book it is noticable! The scenerary of the movie is excellent. It is sooo excellent that I can't even tell whether it was actaully shot in China (though I doubt it was as the time of the movies' making it would have been quite a hard task with WWII still occuring; this all the harder with the very intent of the movie! ) The movie has wonderful special effects that are all the more appreciable concidering the creation of the movie in 1944. The only complaint, which is small anyways, is that some parts of the movie are spoken in low whispers so that the TV must be set with a higher than normal volume level. But as I said, this is no HUGE problem. In conclusion, the movie has good actors, a wonderful plot, excellent photagraphy/special effects, and is worth buying. *spoilerwarning! *This paragraph has quite a number of spoilers. I only wish to describe in this paragraph specifically the major differences between the book and the movie (therefore, this paragraph is useless to anyone who has not read the book). First of all, in the book Ling Tan had a young daughter that had a major role later in the plot. She does not exist in the movie and so her role does not either. Also, though it WAS mentioned, the place of safe haven in Nanking (of course this is the city outside of which Ling Tan lived!) was never actually used to house Ling Tan's wife, Orchid, Wu Lien's wife, and the children (which is a shame because a BEAUTIFUL scene occured there!). Therefore, Orchid dies in a way different than the book. The fate of Wu Lien is different too. The manner in which Jade secretly goes to the city to do harm to her "conquerors" is different, but only slightly (major one is that she doesn't disquise herself!) Ling Tan's fourth cousin dies differently. Also, the scholar, Ling Tan's kinsmen, does not continually go to Wu Lien to give news, take money, steal the radio, and finally submit to opium; none of that happens in the movie. The last minor difference is that Ling Tan's youngest son does not pursue the woman that Ling Tan's youngest daughter (who as you remember doesn't exist) found for Ling San and also Ling Tan's oldest son does not find another woman after Orchid. Up until this, the story and book are very similar, matching nearly all of the themes; even much of the actual wording is quoted in the movie....that is awesome! But the major change is the very ending. I really don't want to spoil THIS part, so i won't mention how, but it is entirely different from the book and from what Ling Tan would ever think of doing! I think, and you may agree, that this part of the movie was done differently to spread enemy propaganda; remember, this movie was made in 1944, one year before the war with Japan was over, and long before the public had any knowledge of its ending! These changes are both good for they saved time and clearafied things, but bad because many parts of the book were worth keeping and making known to everyone! But i love this movie! ... Read more