★ 7 / 10
“Walter” (Cary Grant) is a bit of a
CinemaSerf
“Walter” (Cary Grant) is a bit of a rogue who is conned into helping the war effort by “Houghton” (Trevor Howard) and so takes up residence on a remote Pacific…
“Walter” (Cary Grant) is a bit of a rogue who is conned into helping the war effort by “Houghton” (Trevor Howard) and so takes up residence on a remote Pacific island where he is to report sightings of Japanese aircraft, shipping etc. In return, he will be given his very own island Easter egg hunt - only it will be for bottles of Scotch, instead! He’s grumpily resigned to his duty until one day he encounters “Catherine” (Leslie Caron) on his island complete with her own set of ducklings - half a dozen young daughters of the French diplomatic corps left behind. She demands that he help, he demands that she leaves. Is it a Mexican stand-off? Well, no - not for long, pretty swiftly she and her gaggle have this poor hapless fellow dangling and the story sets off down a predictably one-sided battle of the sexes path. No, the story isn’t especially novel or original but there’s a lovely chemistry between Grant and Caron that reminded me a little of the “African Queen” (1951) and the girls contribute amiably too. It is a bit of a slow starter, and the conclusion is a little bit rushed, but the gist is entertaining and both stars seem to be enjoying the mischief as they do their own little bit to defeat the enemy - which ever side he/she/they might be on.
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★ 7 / 10
Grant's Skills on Full Display in Lighthearted WWII Romp With a Game Caron
EUyeshima
I have a certain fondness for this 1964 movie because it is one of the earliest I remember seeing in the back of my parents' 1963 Rambler station wagon at the…
I have a certain fondness for this 1964 movie because it is one of the earliest I remember seeing in the back of my parents' 1963 Rambler station wagon at the now-defunct Burlingame Drive-In near San Francisco. The film's catchy theme song, "Pass Me By", was in my head for years. In the intervening years, I have come to recognize Cary Grant's immaculate precision as a comic actor, and even playing a grizzled, alcoholic beachcomber like Walter Eckland, he still exudes the sharp wit and crack timing that is his hallmark. In fact, Grant is at the top of his game here.
Sharply written by Peter Stone and Frank Tarloff, the story revolves around Eckland's futile attempts to remain reclusive aboard his boat tooling around the South Pacific. Unfortunately, WWII is raging on, and the British Navy need to use him as a hidden spotter of Japanese fighter planes. He is tricked into the role and remains shipwrecked manning his post on an isolated island. Enter Catherine Freneau, a priggish French schoolteacher, who has been stranded on another island with seven schoolgirls. Eckland fetches them, and they all cohabitate with inevitable shenanigans occurring.
Director Ralph Nelson, who generally made relatively lightweight fare, keeps the story fairly facile until they come under attack and a suspenseful element is carried through to the end. In what turned out to be his last leading role, romantic or otherwise, Grant was applauded at the time for dispensing with his suave manner to inhabit this character, but actually it's a throwback to the everyman characters he played in "Only Angels Have Wings" and "Gunga Din". The difference is that at age sixty, he displays his talents as both romantic comedy lead and action hero with such seasoned adroitness.
As Catherine, Leslie Caron demonstrates just how greatly underrated she is as a comedy actress. Even though her character threatens to be strenuously rigid, she conveys Catherine's vulnerability with subtle nuance and also has a very funny drunk scene where she gets to show off her ballet dancer gams. Grant and Caron have great chemistry. Trevor Howard dryly plays Eckland's friendly adversary, Commander Houghton, who transmits instructions by ham radio, and the girls are all gratefully portrayed with individual personalities. I have always been impressed how this film maintains its light heart and humor even though it's clear that the wartime setting is a critical element of the plot. It remains good, solid entertainment.
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79%
TOMATOMETER
· 14 reviews
86%
AUDIENCE
· 5K ratings
7.3/10
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Great, relaxing movie with Cary Grant at his best