Secretary

Product Description

Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has a few strikes against her when she applies for a secretarial position at the law office of E. Edward Grey (James Spader). Although she's never had a job in her life, Lee is hired by the mysterious lawyer, Mr. Grey. At first the work seems quite normal but soon, in between typing, filing and making coffee, Lee and Mr. Grey embark on a more personal relationship, crossing lines of conduct that would give any human resource director the vapors!

System Requirements:
Starring: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, and Leslie Ann Warren.
Directed By: Steven Shainberg.
Running Time: 111 Min., Color.
© MMII Secretary Productions, LLC

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

This kinky love story features a standout performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, an offbeat young actress in her first starring role. Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a nervous girl who compulsively cuts herself, who gets a job as a secretary for Edward, an imperious lawyer (James Spader, an old hand at tales of perverse affection). Edward's reprimands for typos and spelling errors begin with mild humiliation, but as Lee responds to his orders--which are driven as much by his own anxieties and fears as any sense of order--the punishments escalate to spankings, shackles, and more. Secretary walks a fine line. It finds sly humor in these sadomasochistic doings without turning them into a gag, and it takes Lee and Edward's mutual desires seriously without getting self-righteous or pompous. Certainly not a movie for everyone, but some people may be unexpectedly stirred up by this smart and steamy tale of repressed passion. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Watch the closing credits, right to the end ..........2007-09-11

Just something that caught my eye.

"The persons and events in this motion picture are ficticious. Any similarity to actual persons or events is unitentional."

That's either a delicious accident, or an equally delicious in-joke.

A sick dark comedy........2007-08-24

Secretary is a movie you will really like or really loathe. I am somewhere in the middle. The story of a girl who cuts herself and finds happiness in a sadomachism relationship with her pompous boss could turn most people off and I have to admit some of the scenes are pretty risque but Maggie Gyenhaal wins over the audience with her dark optimism and self-deprecting attitude. She falls in love with Edward played by James Spader, it's an unusual kind of love but it works for her, she is used to hurting herself and now she finds pleaure in Edward releasing that same pain on her. This movie is not for everyone but it is worth a viewing or two. Enjoy!

Reveals some truths about human nature..........2007-08-05

"Secretary" was my introduction to Maggie Gyllenhaal, and I have yet to see her in anything better. Who is this woman? I have a serious crush. I had no prior knowledge about the actress or the movie, so her transformation mid-movie into this striking, poised, turned-on woman -- wearing shackles as she conducts her secretarial business with a smile on her face -- was a completely unexpected pleasure. James Spader is right at home as the weird guy who turns out to be the perfect complement to this disturbed woman and the one person in her life who can bring out the best in her. Their interplay reveals some truths about human nature that maybe only the adventurous and honest among us would admit they recognize. S&M, per-se, certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea. Still, there's something insightful about the success of their particular relationship. I'd double-bill this with "The African Queen", or maybe a Tracy / Hepburn movie.

Must see movie for those with an odd sense of humor.......2007-07-28

I loved this movie from the start. The way a young woman feels at that age is portrayed brilliantly by Maggie. The sexual tension that builds throughout the movie is a turn on. This movie relives my fairytales at finding true love and lust as a young woman. Absolutley my favorite movie

Wonderful Cult Film.......2007-07-24

Wonderful movie. Some of our puritanical American viewers might get stuck on the sexual content and reject this film (probably out of a sense of their own sexual inadequacies). This movie goes much deeper than raw eroticism. It is a wonderful commentary on individuality and the psychology of individuality. This film celebrates the uniqueness of the individual human spirit. This film screams about acceptance and appreciation of oneself -- and to acknowledge and honor the normal and quirky traits we all possess. This movie is truly a great film. It will undoubtedly go down as an important cult classic -- I would argue on the same par as cult classics "The Graduate" and "Harold and Maude." The performances by Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are first rate. These were likely too very difficult roles to pull off and they did it superbly.

Average customer rating:

Nonsensical Star Vehicle
It's silly, but it still sizzles...
idea with possibilities wasted
Not Enough Sizzle
Overly Broad Farce Doesn't Show Off Hepburn or Holden in the Best Light

Paris When It Sizzles
Starring: William Holden , Audrey Hepburn , Grégoire Aslan , Raymond Bussières , and Christian Duvaleix
Director: Richard Quine
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005ALMI
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Amazon.com

Paris When It Sizzles is an unusual screwball comedy to say the least. Whether it works is another matter, but the premise and humor are interesting enough to make it enjoyable. The basic problem with the film is its two stars: William Holden and Audrey Hepburn hardly sizzle with onscreen chemistry, and Hepburn's character, Miss Simpson, falls far too easily into the hands of Holden's drunken screen writer. However, the story is an interesting play on the typical Hollywood romance, with two plotlines running in parallel to each other. Holden's Richard Benson has only two days to finish a script for an enigmatic producer (Noel Coward). Hepburn's Miss Simpson is drafted in as the typist and as the script is dictated it manifests itself on the screen, allowing the two lead characters to play out any number of romantic stories. It's the cameo appearances in the imaginary world that really steal the show, with the blink-and-you'll-miss-it last screen appearance by Marlene Dietrich, as well as Tony Curtis having fun with his own screen persona. Not one of Hepburn or Holden's best, but worth a look purely for the interesting slant on the mechanical nature of Hollywood's romances. --Nikki Disney

Customer Reviews:

Nonsensical Star Vehicle.......2007-08-06

Saying a movie isn't a complete travesty is hardly an endorsement. There are some clever bits and pieces scattered here and there but there is no coherent narrative. The script is just a mishmash of silly playacting scenes based on movie cliches and a completely contrived eleventh hour romance. An excuse to reunite big stars. Around the time Holden plays Dracula and literally chases Hepburn around Frankenstein's lab room, I wanted to step on the set and yell cut, cancel production, apologize and send everyone home. Alas, the movie goes on...and on.

Holden and Hepburn had had an affair during the making of Sabrina, a film I like but do not love the way many do, ten years earlier. He professed his love for her but she told him she didn't feel the same way. They didn't see each other for ten years until they agreed to make this movie. Alas, he was still in love with her and she was still not in love with him. Adding to this, both had spouses on set and Holden drank like a fish during the entire filming. No surprise Hepburn called this the least pleasant filming experience of her entire career. The painful awkwardness on the set must have been indescribable.

Hepburn also didn't care for the film's silliness. She was right to have her doubts. The silliness just doesn't work because neither Holden or Hepburn did silly. Holden did sardonic very well in several movies (Sunset Blvd., Bridge on the River Kwai, Stalag 17) but was not naturally a comedic actor. Hepburn was charming and light in a European way but didn't do cutesy-poo or goofy very well. Her successful comedies (Charade, Funny Face, My Fair lady) are smart & sophisticated. Here we see her doe-eyed and running all over the place like a looney tunes character.

Unless you are like me and will sit through any movie once, there's really no reason to see this. Both Holden and Hepburn made many great movies far more worthy of your time. I'd rather watch Sabrina 10 times than PWIS ever again.

It's silly, but it still sizzles..........2007-08-03

Admittedly, this is neither Holden's nor Hepburn's premiere work. However, there is still some good writing in this film. Clever dialogue manifesting itself best in the recurring bit about the "liar and a thief suit" garners laughs fromk me and my family every time we watch this film. Some great campiness and send-ups of movie and book genres; and Tony Curtis making fun of Marlon Brando's acting style is classic.... It's not a perfect movie, but it certainly delivers in the humor department.

idea with possibilities wasted.......2007-07-26

The screenwriter had no idea how to write a comedy. Add to that casting a dramatic actor (Holden) to play a comic part, and you end up with a flop. With a comic actor (like, say, Tony Randall) and with a comic script, this could have been a very funny movie. Compare this movie with "Delirious (John Candy)" and you'll see what I mean.

The purpose of this story by two Frenchmen seemed to be to show how much they hated American movies. Every movie from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s is lampooned. But satire does not succeed when the satirist hates his subject so much that he can't be funny about it.

The enjoyable parts are the appearances by other stars: Marlene Dietrich, Fred Astaire (singing only), Frank Sinatra (singing a couple of lines), Tony Curtis hamming it up, Mel Ferrar, and Noel Coward (the only comedian of the lot).

Hepburn is given almost nothing to do and has no opportunity to save this picture. Holden tries hard, very hard, but he just doesn't know how to be funny.

Not Enough Sizzle.......2007-07-25

I think the title of my review says it all. The movie was hard to watch and did not do Audrey justice. I'm a fan of hers but that was not enough to get me into this movie.

Overly Broad Farce Doesn't Show Off Hepburn or Holden in the Best Light.......2007-04-08

Even though this 1964 comedy is not a complete misfire, this is not remotely my favorite movie of either Audrey Hepburn or William Holden. A decade after their initial coupling in Billy Wilder's class-conscious romantic soufflé, "Sabrina", the two stars are re-teamed under the far more heavy-handed direction of Richard Quine in an overly contrived, intermittently funny screenplay by George Axelrod. The result feels like the old-style French farce upon which it is based but with the artificial veneer of 1960's Hollywood studio product (even though it was filmed primarily on Paris sound stages). That's a shame since Hepburn and Holden can be game farceurs when properly motivated, but here they are unfortunately made to play more broadly than usual with an over-reliance on their screen personas.

The frothy plot centers on aging Hollywood screenwriter Richard Benson, who is holed up in Paris attempting to beat the deadline set forth by big-time producer Alexander Meyerheim to finish his latest screenplay. Benson has to hand in the completed script in two days, but the problem is that he hasn't even started since he has been busy boozing and womanizing in typical alpha-male fashion. He hires impressionable Gabrielle Simpson as his live-in secretary and becomes inspired to write the aptly named "The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower" (complete with an opening theme from Frank Sinatra). The rest of the movie goes back and forth between the reality of the impending deadline at Richard's apartment and the fantasy scenes of the screenplay coming to life.

There is no suspense as to how it will end, but it does have its charms with some silly spy-caper turns and cameo appearances by Marlene Dietrich in a walk-on, Noel Coward as Meyerheim, and a particularly amusing Tony Curtis as Gabrielle's Method-style actor boyfriend. At 110 minutes, the movie feels overlong, and the film is visually hamstrung by phony backdrops and studio sets typical of the period. Right between "Charade" and "My Fair Lady", Hepburn is never less than charming here, while Holden keeps his innate hamminess in check. However, neither seems especially challenged by the comic proceedings. The only extra on the 2001 DVD is the original theatrical trailer.

Average customer rating:

"Brilliant"
I think its been misrepresented somewhat
no title
The start and the end of political documentary...
Sometimes you need to fill in the gaps

The War Room
Starring: James Carville , George Stephanopoulos , Heather Beckel , Paul Begala , and Bob Boorstin
Director: D.A. Pennebaker , and Chris Hegedus
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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ASIN: B0002JUXDS
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Amazon.com essential video

Documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker (Don't Look Back) and Chris Hegedus shot behind-the-scenes at command central for Bill Clinton's 1992 election campaign and came up with this film. You won't find the kind of daily damage-control and skirt-chasing indirectly alleged in Primary Colors, but the filmmakers do give us a strong sense of the uphill battle of a presidential campaign. The center of the film is really James Carville, who steered the machine for Clinton's '92 run and who comes across in this film as a deeply passionate, complex, and somehow timeless man who could have fit into any chapter of American history. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

"Brilliant".......2007-01-15

This is a great film to see what is conducted behind the scenes to win a presidential campaign. Great film for students to see two political campaign managers at work. This film also showed these two guy's human side and at the same time funny.

I think its been misrepresented somewhat.......2006-12-02

This is not a film of the inner sanctum of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign as claimed but a film of his head campaign managers office. You will see some discussions on issues. Nothing very controversial. You never see any real important decisions made and you see almost nothing of Bill Clinton.

If you are interested in elections you probably will get some feel of how a modern campaign feels but little about much else.

no title.......2006-03-13

Well, I sure could have skipped this one. I well remember the critics raving over this on television, but why is beyond me. Mostly, I was just plain bored. There simply was no depth at all, just bunches of short takes and wise cracks. Bush was just downright dirty, making insults and slurs all over the place, something I do not consider an appropriate attitude in a man who would be President. And it is interesting that in one of the reviews it was noted that Mary Matalen, the deputy manager of Bush's campaign and very acid-tongued (maybe she wrote some of the slurs Bush used), is now the wife of James Carville, top strategist for Clinton's campaign, and basically the star of the movie. But all the scenes were focused on the funny quip, the bon mot, no long scenes of the nitty-gritty work, or any answers to any questions about Clinton either, for that matter.

The start and the end of political documentary..........2006-01-21

Though 'Primary' introduced the political campaigning doco, 'The War Room' surely is the apex of the genre.

Part of the highlight of the doco is Stephanopoulos, who is captured as he is - preening himself and agreeing with others ideas/suggestions.

As with the Clinton campaign, Carville steals the show. Whatever your convictions (and mine are on the other side of politics) it is impossible not to respect Carville for his character and beliefs.

I dont want to spoil it for you, but Billary wins...

Sometimes you need to fill in the gaps.......2005-12-30

While I found the glimpses into the inner workings of the 1992 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton to be interesting and well worth watching, it was a bit disappointing. Campaign manager James Carville and Communications Director George Stephanopoulos demonstrate their skills at political maneuvering. Even though Bill Clinton was a masterful politician, these two men got him elected. While both of them show their hard-boiled political fronts, they also show their human sides. Stephanopoulos openly talks about how nervous he is and Carville cries when he thanks the staff for their hard work.
There are two main weaknesses to the presentation. The first is that many parts will be incomprehensible to anyone who does not already know a great deal about the events. For example, there is mention of the relationship between Carville and Mary Matalin, but it is never truly explained. The incongruity of the political strategists of Democrat Bill Clinton and Republican George Bush having a romantic relationship in the middle of a presidential campaign is not emphasized as much as it should. If you were not aware of the depth of that relationship and who they are, then that segment will be little more than a flyby.
The second main weakness is that your perspective never reaches the level of the "fly on the wall." At all times, it is clear that you are seeing into the campaign only to the extent that they want you to see. It would have been better if they at least sometimes made it appear that you were seeing workings of the campaign staff that they would have preferred not be seen. I was especially disappointed with the response to the Gennifer Flowers incident. Clinton and his campaign staff handled it very deftly, yet we really don't see what they did. This contrasts with an incident later in the campaign when Stephanopoulos fields a call from someone who is threatening to expose what they claim is another Clinton infidelity. In this case, he supposedly fathered a child with a black woman. Stephanopoulos tells the person politely but firmly that:

*) At this point no one cares.
*) If you break the story, you will never work in the Democratic party again.

I found this video fascinating, but I remembered and understood the events that unfolded. If you for any reason do not know the fundamentals of what is happening, then you will spend a great deal of time puzzled by what you see.

Average customer rating:

A Dream Come True
Dated Story in a Timeless City
Practically Perfect in Every Way!
Just love this movie!
Hepburn and Brazzi have very little chemistry.

Summertime - Criterion Collection
Starring: Mari Aldon , Gaetano Autiero , Rossano Brazzi , Katharine Hepburn , and Darren McGavin
Manufacturer: Criterion
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ASIN: 6305094934
Release Date: 1998-09-09

Amazon.com essential video

There was a time before Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago when David Lean made smaller, more effortlessly picturesque movies, and this splendid Venetian travelogue and love story is one of them--the last, actually, before the epic onslaught started with the Oscar-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957. "Sometimes I think a schedule in Venice is just, well, all wrong," observes a bewitched tourist to Katharine Hepburn's vacationing spinster near the beginning of Summertime, which is based on Arthur Laurents's play The Time of the Cuckoo. Before the end, however, Jane will have thrown her idealized romantic notions into the canals and embarked on a passionate affair with a married art dealer (Rossano Brazzi). More blissful than Lean's adulterous fable Brief Encounter 10 years prior, but not entirely guilt- or pain-free, this deceptively simple romance is an often-fascinating glimpse at a time when sexual revolution for Americans--and especially middle-aged women--was confined to fanciful European trysts. Plus, with all the architecture, art, Italian conversation, music, and fine cuisine around you (all richly photographed on location by Jack Hildyard), who's to pish-posh a furtive all-nighter between one repressive country and a free-loving one? The two leads are graceful and even musical in their movements and line deliveries. Hepburn's initial outrage at the idea that illicit love is part of her impossibly beautiful surroundings may at first seem outdated, but the Academy Award-winning actress is too good not to suggest as well the poignant, deep fear her character has of opening up emotionally to anybody. Ultimately, Summertime is the movie equivalent of a deep, satisfying sigh. --Robert Abele

Description

An American spinster's dream of romance finally becomes a bittersweet reality when she meets a handsome-but married-Italian man while vacationing in Venice. Katharine Hepburn's sensitive portrayal of the lonely heroine and Jack Hildyard's glorious Technicolor® photography make Summertime an endearing and visually enchanting film.

Customer Reviews:

A Dream Come True.......2007-06-01

Watched this as a child and dreamed of seeing the beautiful Venice in which it is lovingly filmed. Wanted the courage of Kate's character to just go where I had dreamed, on my own. Have now twice. Loved having the chance to relieve the enchantment I felt as a child at the cinematic beauty of this film.

Dated Story in a Timeless City.......2007-05-25

Although the story is somewhat dated (the 1950's) the travel log of Venice is timeless. It is beautifully filmed in three of the five Districts of Venice ( The Dorsoduro, San Marco, and a very little in the Cannaregio Districts of Venice). Like the palazzos of this fascinating city, the love story portrayed by Hepburn's and Brazzi's characters is etched into a specific time period, and by today's standards seems dated, it is the love affair between the filmmaker and Venice that remains eternal. After watching the film you want to call your travel agent and book a trip to Venice as soon as possible.
P. S. And when you get there you can still buy one of those red goblets, made famous by the film, now known as The Summertime Glass.

Practically Perfect in Every Way!.......2007-05-23

This is one of the greatest films ever made! I shall tell you why:

1. The acting is impeccable, superb, and just wonderful! Kate Hepburn really shines the most in this, she's one of my favourites, has been for many years, and this has got to be one of her best performances ever, which is saying something! She's the everyday woman ~ she's easy to identify with on so many different levels. With each little nuance you see bits of her soul illuminated, making one pretty tapestry of raw emotion, the good criss crossing with the bad.
Rossano Brazzi is also very well used here, he draws you in with such charisma and charm, it's easy to see why he became so popular with Americans as well as his fellow countrymen.

2. The location. This was all shot on location in Venice, which was quite a rarity for the time. The scenery is breathtaking, the colours grab you, the feel of the city envelops your senses every minute, from beginning to end.

3. The cinematography is aweinspiring. The shots are enthusiastic fireballs that you greedily devour with hungry eyes. From the gray slightly drab coach on the train to the vivid rainbow houses of Venice, you're taken on a dizzying journey of aesthetic delight.

4. The story. It's timeless, revealing layers of the basic human condition ~ it's fraility, it's triumphs, it's vulnerability, it's ugliness, and it's beauty are all shown here. One of the things that defines this film from others is that it's a film that's not afraid to take chances and stand out from all of the rest. What you expect doesn't happen and what you don't expect does. One of those gems that isn't so well known, but should be.

This is just a wonderful, lovely, gorgeous film and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Just love this movie!.......2007-05-14

Saw this movie many years ago on Movie Classic channel and just love it, but never saw it again. Finally on Amazon, found the movie and ordered it. Thanks a million!

Hepburn and Brazzi have very little chemistry........2007-04-16

I did like this film. Beautiful scenery. Hepburn is a rather independant and prim fourtysomething secretary secretly looking for a romance, that has escaped her all her life. About 30 minutes into the film she catches the eye of Brazzi. Later she enters his shop, and he is interested. She is taken by his attentiveness and looks. Can she let her guard down? Can she trust him when he has already lied to her twice?

I think the film is very well made and is probably not as well known because of the title and the lack of chemistry between Hepburn and Brazzi.
I do recommend it.

Average customer rating:

The Most Beautiful Flower
Adorable 60's comedy...
If you like good ol' Classic films, you'll love this one
An Adroit Matthau, a Fresh Goldie and a Fun-Loving Bergman Provide Lift to a Frothy Farce
Frothy romantic comedy

Cactus Flower
Starring: Walter Matthau , Ingrid Bergman , Goldie Hawn , Jack Weston , and Rick Lenz
Director: Gene Saks
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B0000633R9
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Description

Walter Matthau stars as Julian Winston, an easy-going bachelor dentist whose delicately balanced scheme crumbles under some unexpected circumstances. Winston is stringing along his dizzy blonde mistress, Toni (Goldie Hawn), by telling her he has a wife and children. When he learns that Toni has tried to commit suicide over him, however, he promises to marry her. Toni, refusing to be a homewrecker, insists on meeting Winston's wife. He convinces Stephanie (Bergman)--his starched, no-nonsense receptionist--to pose as his wife, and there are unforeseen twists and surprises for everyone.

Customer Reviews:

The Most Beautiful Flower.......2007-01-04

It may be sacrilegious to say, but CACTUS FLOWER is a much better picture than those that Billy Wilder was making at roughly the same time. We watched this, then THE FORTUNE COOKIE in rapid succession, and this one wins by a country mile. I bring in Wilder's name because in some quarters CACTUS FLOWER has been looked on as a flimsy Billy Wilder rip-off, due to the use of Walter Matthau and also to the scenarist I A L Diamond, who worked wonders on the original Broadway play script to CACTUS FLOWER and really makes it bloom on the screen. (Only in the cramped dentist set do you feel that you're watching a play transferred to the screen. Could that set have been any smaller, sometimes you watch Ingrid Bergman try to figure out what to do with her hips as she nears a desk or filing cabinet.) Diamond squeezed this one in during the long wilderness years for Wilder, between the ragged comeback that was THE FORTUNE COOKIE, and the 1970 megaflop that became THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. Those two shows seem absolutely dour next to the radiance of CACTUS FLOWER. Maybe Diamond felt freed up from his own impossible to live up to legacy, and he could just be really dumb.

Well, CACTUS FLOWER has a Wilder sort of mise-en-scene anyhow, as Walter Matthau plays a swinging dentist who pretends to be married in order to deceive his young girlfriend, Goldie Hawn. All the actors play this out as though it were perfectly normal for a 60 year old guy to be "dating" a 21 year old hippie girl. Last week we watched Clint Eastwood's BREEZY where the exact same situation is played out as a problem picture, nearly a tragedy, and yet here it is a sex romp. Of sorts. Basically Matthau doesn't understand that his own nurse, Stephanie Dickinson, has been devotedly in love with him for years and years. And that she, Ingrid Bergman, is the woman for him.

I wonder if there's a code of reception for audiences in which we mentally dislike the pairing of the old and the young, so we're prepared for Matthau to switch his affections from Hawn to Bergman, and to let Hawn find romance with the kooky writer next door who saves her from a suicide attempt at the beginning of the film (shades of Diamond's APARTMENT script!) . . . What's great about Columbia producing this film is all the commercial tie-ins, the product placement which must have seemed super grating and cheesy in its day, but now floats somewhere in the comfort zone. For example, Goldie works in a Village record shop, and every album on the racks seems to be -- by Columbia records! (I should say, the majority of them are, but here and again a non-Columbia LP is shown, which must have been a triumph of artistic integrity.) And my favorite scene is the disco evening, where Ingrid Bergman invents a new dance called the "Dentist." Listen to the parade of Muzaked chartbusters playing in the background while the beautiful people show it off on the dancefloor--everyone of them a Colgems tune--"I'm a Believer," "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight," really, if the Monkees had made an appearance I wouldn't have blinked an eye. It's a fantastic scene, worthy of Max Ophuls, let alone Billy Wilder.

Adorable 60's comedy... .......2006-04-16

This is a really sweet little film that is completely and thoroughly 60's. It stars Walter Matthau as a dentist who is dating Goldie Hawn, a young free spirit. He's told her that he's married so he won't have to marry her, but, when he decides he wants to marry her after all, he has to produce a wife. He turns to his faithful nurse, played by Ingrid Bergman (!), who has worked for him for ten years. Hawn's character feels pity for Bergman, and events escalate to the point that the dentist is using one of his patients to play the role of his "wife's" lover.

There's some really witty dialogue in here, and Goldie Hawn, in her first movie role, is irrepressibly adorable. Ingrid Bergman also gives a fabulous performance, once you get over the shock of seeing her in something that isn't Casablanca, looking almost matronly. (But, at age fifty-four, still beautiful.) Walter Matthau also gives a great performance as the sneaky but loveable dentist, and there are a couple of scenes in a dance club that are too great for words.

If you like good ol' Classic films, you'll love this one.......2006-02-07

Classic Walter Matthau film. I enjoyed it very much because of the easy & believeable relationship between Matthau & Hawn, the suppressed attraction between Bergman & Matthau & the sweet storyline. This film was made during a time where special effects didn't fill in for weak plots; instead the story actually makes its point. Well done.

As bachelor dentist Dr. Julian Winston, Matthau tries to convince his mistress, Toni, (Goldie Hawn) that he has a wife who won't divorce him because they have children. Toni's had enough: she fires off a letter (yes, actually walks across the street in her nightgown to deposit the letter in a mailbox)to Julian, telling him she's committed suicide. Her young writer-neighbor, Igor (Rick Lenz), smells gas in the apartment hallway, breaks in & saves Toni.

When Julian receives the letter at his office, he storms off to Toni's apartment, only to find her alive & in the company of Igor. This little stunt persuades Julian to ask Toni to marry him -- he'll get a divorce no matter what. The catch is now Toni wants to meet Julian's wife, she has to get to know her so that Julian's wife won't think of Toni as a home-wrecker. Enter Ingrid Bergman as Miss Stephanie Dickinson, Dr. Winston's long-suffering, never-married dental assistant. Julian convinces Stephanie to pose as his wife for Toni.

What ensues is a calamity of coincidences & misunderstandings that cause true feelings to be revealed. Ingrid Bergman is such a joy to watch, she effortlessly steals the show.

If you want light-hearted entertainment that will leave you with a smile on your face, this film is for you.

An Adroit Matthau, a Fresh Goldie and a Fun-Loving Bergman Provide Lift to a Frothy Farce.......2006-02-02

Aside from the discotheque scenes that epitomize the swinging sixties (especially with everyone dancing to instrumental versions of Monkees hits), I am surprised how well this lightweight farce holds up 37 years later, but indeed it does thanks to the breezy execution of its deception-based plot and the sharp interplay of the three leads. Directed by the redoubtable stage-to-screen expert Gene Saks, this 1969 comedy is about Julian Winston, a successful Manhattan dentist and confirmed bachelor, who pretends to be married in order to avoid long-term commitment with his young girlfriend of a year, Toni. In response to Toni's half-hearted suicide attempt, Julian agrees to marry her, but Toni first insists on meeting his wife to alleviate her conscience. Enter Julian's devoted nurse Stephanie to play the wife, and the inevitable complications ensue with white lies growing into major whoppers that lead to presumed couplings and de-couplings.

As Julian, a relaxed Walter Matthau dexterously plays the deceptive dentist in his typically sardonic manner, but he lets his two female co-stars walk off with the picture. In her big screen debut, a pixyish 24-year old Goldie Hawn is still retaining her giggly "Laugh-In" persona but provides unexpected savvy and depth as Toni. She and Matthau have great, unforced chemistry in their scenes together. Screen legend Ingrid Bergman, still serenely regal at 54, is obviously having a ball playing Stephanie, initially starchy and quick-witted but blossoming into a liberated spirit as the story evolves. I particularly like how casual she appears after her overnight romp. There is nice supporting work from Rick Lenz as Toni's bohemian neighbor Igor and Jack Weston as Julian's smarmy actor buddy Harvey. Billy Wilder's longtime collaborator, I.A.L. Diamond, provides the sparkling screenplay and opens up the story beyond its stage-bound origins for Saks, who is not the most cinematic of directors. Other than a couple of trailers, there are no significant extras with the DVD.

Frothy romantic comedy.......2004-02-21

Peace and love, but not quite this much. Romantic comedy "Cactus Flower" is flirty, frothy and very amusing (not to mention it's nice to see a gal in her fifties shown as being attractive by the movie industry). It's predictable and lacking in twists, but it's entertaining by itself.

Bachelor dentist Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) met the ditzy but sweet Toni (Goldie Hawn) a year ago, but to avoid the looming threat of commitment, he claimed he was married with three kids. But Toni tries to commit suicide -- a faulty attempt botched by her attractive playwright neighbor Igor (Rick Lenz). When Julian learns of it, he decides to marry her, and pretends that he's getting a divorce from the wife he doesn't have. Small problem: Toni wants to meet her personally.

Julian tries to convince his straightlaced nurse Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pretend to be his wife. At first she says no way, but then agrees (partly because she is secretly in love with him... of course). Except then Toni thinks that Stephanie is still in love with Julian, and that his kids will be traumatized by the divorce. So then Julian tries to recruit a fake boyfriend for his fake wife, to give an excuse for the fake divorce... and the web of nonexistant lovers starts to spread.

This film is a fun film, not a great film; it's froth, and pretends to be no more. In fact, I guessed the outcome of the movie (give or take a cactus and mink stole) within the first ten minutes. But getting there is half the fun. It's cute to see the little web of lies getting worse and worse, right down to the womanizing pal Harvey telling his idiot girlfriend that he's an agent for the CIA.

The trappings of "Cactus Flower" are a bit dated now -- the dancing, the store of vinyl records, the clothing, the hippie putting flowers on people's windshields. Fortunately, the script has aged pretty well if you know what "square" means. The cluelessness of Hawn's character starts to grate on the nerves (surely NO ONE can be this dim), but it has some funny dialogue.

Ingrid Bergman usually got stuck in dramatic, often melancholy roles, but here she gets to bust loose with plenty of acid-tongued barbs, the "dentist" dance, not to mention a funny, sexy dance with Igor and a mink stole. Matthau does an excellent job as the increasingly uptight, habitual liar Julian, whom we like despite his jerkishness. Hawn is merely okay; she spends a little too much time biting her lip and looking fawnish, and Lenz is extremely funny, charming and quite underrated.

Description

An interview with Traudl Junge, one of Adolf Hitler's private secretaries from 1942 through the collapse of the Nazi regime, in which she tells it all. 2003 National Theatrical Release.

Customer Reviews:

Blind Spot.......2007-07-18

With so many excellent films concerning Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, few have transfixed me as much as "Blind Spot." This feature needs no graphic wartime footage to deliver its impact. Instead, the camera stays focused on Ms. Junge, who, in her early twenties as the war raged, was completely naive in her political outlook (or so she claims). This film is made more poignant in that Ms. Junge died shortly after production was completed, giving us the feeling that in these interviews, she is working to expiate a lifetime of guilt, one born of ignorance, or perhaps more accurately, a suppression of horrific reality. This makes a perfect double feature with the outstanding narrative film "Downfall", in which her character is featured prominently.

excellent, but too short.......2007-07-03

An amazing piece of history, but it needs to be longer. Also, the dissolves are an annoying distraction, but it was difficult to complain when one realizes the pricelessness of it all.

A unusual perspective that not often presented........2007-04-01

Extremely poignant.
A unusual perspective that is not often presented.
This is a powerful look into the inside private life of Adolph Hitler, not the man he presented to the public eye.
It is also the story of a woman who found her self unexpectedly in his employ and shelter from the reality of the rest of the world, her enlightenment to his atrocities and her survival and coming to terms with what weighed heavily on her, believing that while she was at the time unaware of his innate evil, she had contributed to his crimes too. VERY eye opening.
I have watched this at least 5 times and learn something new every-time.

Making Evil Work - Otherwise Good People Become Obtuse.......2007-02-05

Traudl Junge appears pleasant, well-adjusted, and thoughtful in her old age. Dying on the day that the film won awards in Europe this movie is her final statement. But, the interviewers where horrible. They never asked the key questions, rather they just allowed her to remember events and talk for almost an hour about the final days in the Berlin Bunker.

As a historical record, it's invaluable. But, as an insight into the human workings of Nazism, there is unfortunately nothing new here. Nazism and fascism in general can only function on such a large scale as it did in Germany when otherwise thoughtful people like Ms. Junge choose to create a "blind spot" so that the truth won't get through.

Traudl Junge was Hitler's secretary from 42-45. It is hard to fathom that she knew nothing about anything, acknowledging only one moment when DER JUDEN were discussed with Hitler. Imagine the scene: Frau Von Schirach comes to the Berghof and tells Hitler to his face that what is being done to the Jews is horrible. She is of course dismissed. Traudl Junge's assertion that she was unaware of the horrors that her boss and her colleagues were perpetrating is difficult to accept, just as Albert Speer's similar assetions are difficult to believe (especially since armaments production and concentration camps that supported such production fell under his authority as armaments minister). It seems that more than being embarrassed for being such a thoughtless automaton and servant of the modern devil and the greatest force of evil in the world in the last one hundred years, Junge seems embarrassed that she had created such a hole of fakery and self-deception around herself.

I've not read her book, and am not certain that I will. But it is a failure on the part of the interviewers to not ask her more questions. I heard only one or two questions, the rest of the entire film was Traudl talking about her experiences. More of a reminiscence than an insightful examination of her past, this movie is an addition to the historical record.

The insights that Junge must have had as a human being working so closely with Hitler and his cronies and sycophants were mainly lost in the movie. One almost feels badly for Ms. Junge, but not quite.
Recommended with reservations.

clearing her conscience.......2007-01-25

When Traudl Junge was twenty-two she was chosen, she recalls, "by complete coincidence and chance" from a typing competition to become Hitler's secretary from 1942-1945. Later in life, she became deeply disturbed about how she could have participated in the Nazi horror at such close quarters and remained so apolitical. In a brutal catharsis of self-analysis, she describes her "blind spot" as remaining so oblivious to the obvious. Clearly wanting to unburden herself and to speak publically for the first time, she gave ten hours of interviews at the age of 81, just months before she died. This film has almost no cinematic style or technique. Junge sits in her modest Munich apartment, a camera is put on her, and she delivers a ninety-minute, somewhat rambling soliloquy on what it was like to be Hitler's secretary. There is little ethical or war time insight; the fascinating part, in fact, is how banal she describes Hitler --his dog, his diet, his kindly paternalism, daily lunches and dinners with him, etc. More than half of her remarks cover Hitler's last few days in his Berlin bunker, where he eventually committed suicide and his body was burned. This fascinating film could have been so much better if a savvy interviewer had plied her with questions. In German with English subtitles.

Average customer rating:

Mild but nice, unforgettable star teaming
Comedy with A Serious Grain of Truth
Wife vs. Secretary rock, it is greeeaaat.

Wife vs. Secretary
Starring: Clark Gable , Jean Harlow , Myrna Loy , May Robson , and George Barbier
Director: Clarence Brown , and Errol Taggart
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: B000F7CMS6
Release Date: 2006-06-20

Amazon.com

For such an unheralded movie, Wife vs. Secretary provides a surprisingly satisfying time, aided immensely by the old MGM gloss and a trio of big stars. Clark Gable, so secure in his manly-man pictures, reminds us that he could be a dab hand at lightweight romance; his role is a typical Gable world-beater, a publishing tycoon with a lavish Manhattan lifestyle. But here he's happily, blissfully married, and his scenes with wife Myrna Loy are playful and cute. The only glitch is, his secretary is Jean Harlow, and despite Gable's fidelity, tongues will inevitably wag. Harlow here has none of the boisterous sass of her earlier pairings with Gable--she really is just an efficient and plucky secretary, even if boss and assistant trade charged glances during a business trip to Havana--and so the movie's tone is pretty genteel. The greenhorn James Stewart, still a couple of years from stardom, plays Harlow's mild but suspicious suitor, and he gets stuck with obligatory dialogue urging Harlow to give up her job and settle down with him. (The movie is interesting in showing how productive and fulfilled Harlow is by work rather than marriage.) MGM mainstay Clarence Brown directed, with an approach so dignified that nothing, alas, ever gets too giddy. Still, Gable and Loy are so fun together the movie succeeds. For Thin Man fans who can't get enough of Loy and the idea of marriage-as-playtime, this is a good fix. --Robert Horton

Description

Of course Linda Stanhope trusts her husband Van. Their marriage is based on love and respect. Who cares if Van's secretary has the face of an angel and the body of a chorus girl? Who says a blonde bombshell can't type and take dictation? But people are whispering. And when Linda calls Van's hotel room late at night during his solo business trip to Havana, guess who answers. Four Golden Era greats ? Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Myrna Loy as the romantic triangle and a lanky newcomer named James Stewart as Harlow's beau ? gild this sophisticated comedy-drama that takes a savvy look at men, women and love. Wife vs. Secretary: Guess who wins!

Customer Reviews:

Mild but nice, unforgettable star teaming.......2007-02-07

And the perfect film to follow Red Dust, Too Hot to Handle, or maybe China Seas? An excellent soaper in which Loy and Harlow vie for businessman Gable's affections. Not as much fun as the above, but still a fine example of the caliber of movie MGM just cranked out during the thirties. Bonus: check out the quite young James Stewart as Harlow's would-be hubby.

Comedy with A Serious Grain of Truth.......2006-11-19

Spoilers here a little -- This film is fun to watch. I love the rapport between characters. Clarke Gable is wonderful as the faithful (but almost not) husband of Myrna Loy. I was quite surprised at the nice acting performance turned out by Jean Harlow. Too bad she did not live to make more films. James Stewart is sparkling, as usual, in his small part in this film. Though labeled a comedy--there are some serious lessons here relating to ill-timed words of suspicion on the part of the mother of the Clarke Gable character. This creates havoc which is not always funny, but definately interesting. The quality of this DVD is excellent. The sound is good and the picture nice and clear. All in all, if you are a fan of older movies--you will enjoy this one.

Wife vs. Secretary rock, it is greeeaaat........2006-06-21

I have watch this movie over and over again, and each time I view it, I find it more enjoyable as ever. This movie is about misunderstanding between husband and wife, which is cause by other individual plant seeds of doubt in the ears of a loving wife, about her husband relationship with his secretary.
Of course, nothing is going on between the business man and his secretary, but the wife believe something must be going on, base on what she is told, the poor husband can't figure out what is wrong with his marriage, because he has done nothing wrong.
In this movie you got three of the greatest actors and actresses of all time, Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.
Ms. Loy wore some of the greatest gowns ever worn by any actresses in any movie, and she look stunning as always in them, and sexy as ever. Ms. Harlow is equally stunning and sexy, and Gable played one of his best roles ever in a movie, of course "Gone with the Wind" is his best role, but this is close second or third, (in my book).
Ms. Myrna Loy performance was so good, I don't know why she was not nominated for an award. Ms Loy stole this movie, get it you will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

sweet
Awkward, but sweet.
A realistic, fun film
wow....this is the way it happens!
late bloomers

Late Bloomers
Starring: Connie Nelson , Dee Hennigan , Gary Carter , Jonah Marsh , and Esteban Powell
Director: Julia Dyer
Manufacturer: Strand Releasing
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ASIN: B0000AZT3J
Release Date: 2003-10-01

Customer Reviews:

sweet.......2007-07-13

If you love romance then buy this film. It has great acting, the dialoge is funny and engaging. There's a certain geekyness about the story, but it holds it's own up against the ignorence of the towns folk. It has some really original scenes, great music, and the actors really work well with eachother. It is totally believeable and certainly brings the sunshine into your home.

Awkward, but sweet........2007-06-17

Not terrible, just too many problems for me to really fully enjoy. The basketball coach is a complete dork, and the housewife is overweight and frumpish, so no way can you ever feel like there is anything hot going on. The love scenes were awkward, un-sexy. And the naked basketball playing? Uhhh, no. What worked was the reality that this kind of thing happens (the falling in love between women thing), the feelings between the women, and their developing love is sweet. The ending was very unrealistic though. If you absolutely have nothing else to do one day, it's not an entire waste of time.

A realistic, fun film.......2007-05-07

I liked this film a lot and found myself smiling through most of it. The lead characters look like school teachers, not actors, the script handles their emerging attraction in a fresh way, warts and all, and the situations they find themselves in feel real. There is a scene where they face their colleagues which seems a bit contrived, but maybe that's how they do it in Canada! In any event, the scene brings out the issues attaching to gay teachers quite well. All in all, a really entertaining film, especially for gay women past the baby dyke stage.

wow....this is the way it happens!.......2004-09-28

Falling in love with a woman, for the first time in mid-life, as many of us have experienced, is an astonishing occurrence. LATE BLOOMERS shows this to be true by including large doses of engaging tenderness and realistic scenes of stark honesty. In this film there are no women wearing slinky dresses, seducing one another in a pseudo-romantic Hollywood setting. Instead, Late Bloomers portrays finding love, and finding it just around the corner, all as it often happens. Quite unexpectedly, the lovers discover one another, and find the closeness and romance previously missing from their past involvements. One of the women is married, so if you first fell in love with a woman when married with children; you will appreciate the character's struggles and those of her family. However, alls well that ends well and this is without a doubt what this film portrays. LATE BLOOMERS is believable, with fine acting and a great story line. The women who play the roles of the two lovers are perfect, uninhibited in their lovemaking; funny, tender, and even sometimes fearful; yet always finding a way to stay the course together. LATE BLOOMERS creates an entirely possible story and presents it by using, not only some drama, but also a great deal of humor. Buy this film. You will absolutely adore it.

late bloomers.......2003-09-25

Two high school employees end up with an unexpected romance with each other, after one of them suspects the other of having an affair with her husband. When there love affair is outed, their suburban lives are in turmoil. Another reminder of being different in a "staight" community.

Average customer rating:

If you knew Susie like I know Susie
Great Show Badly Served in Transfer
ANN SOTHERN : BOMBSHELL BLONDE de HOLLYWOOD!
delightful sitcom

Private Secretary:Vol 1 TV Series
Starring: Private Secretary
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00082ZR76
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Customer Reviews:

If you knew Susie like I know Susie.......2007-07-21

In this 50's TV comedy series, the private secretary to talent agent Peter Sands (Don Porter), Susan Camille MacNamara (Ann Sothern) goes out of her way to help her boss in the most convoluted schemes. Some how she always puts her foot in it; yet in the end everything turns out fine.

Either a victim of old age or bad memory (possible the world has changed); I found this series to be straining for laughs.

The DVD volume one contains:
"What Every Secretary Knows"
"How to Handle the Boss"
"Not Quite Paradise"
"Three's a Crowd"

If you enjoyed the acting of Don Porter then you should not miss him in the Bob Hope classic "Bachelor in Paradise" (1961)

The version I watched was distributed by alpha video and was not remastered (it really should have been). The images do not hold up well on today's big screen TV's

Great Show Badly Served in Transfer.......2005-12-16

Those of us who remember Ann Sothern's terrific performances in "Private Secretary" (later dubbed "Susie" in syndication) back in the 50s, and the stylish, glamorous New York celebrity life that was implied (though rarely directly shown) in the series can only be grateful that a handful of these classic TV comedies have been released on DVD. Watching them is pure delight, and not just for nostalgic purposes. The writing and acting are funny and sharp and the series -- despite its dated perspective on how a smart woman can handle a sometimes egotistical, always somewhat obstuse, male -- holds up remarkably well.

That's the good news. The bad news is the transfer to DVD is pretty dreadful. The sound quality is especially bad: whenever there's music, the pitch wavers like a drunken burglar alarm. It's actually painful to listen to. In one of the episodes, a floating dark bar (rogue splicing tape?) dances through a scene or two. In short, the whole product screams "on the cheap."

But the shows themselves are gems and it's a real treat to see Sothern and her superb supporting cast go through their paces once again.

ANN SOTHERN : BOMBSHELL BLONDE de HOLLYWOOD!.......2005-10-04

ANN SOTHERN WAS ONE OF 'THE GREATS'...A TYPE of GIFT THAT HOLLYWODD HAS FORGOTTON HOW TO GRACE THE WORLD WITH. ANN (BORN HARRIET LAKE) WAS A REAL TALENT:COMIC GENIOUS,GLAM-QUEEN... WHEN 'GLAM' WAS ABOVE and FAR BEYOND THE STARVED - WAIF STATE IT HAS PLUMMETTED TO. ANN WAS A CLASS-ACT. SHE STARRED IN THE DELIGHTFUL 'MAISIE' FILM SERIES and LATER BROUGHT MAISIE TO RADIO. SHE WAS A MAJOR STAR FOR FOUR DECADES. SHE WAS JERRY VAN DYKE'S MOTHER-TURNED-1928-PORTER's VOICE IN 1960's SITCOM 'MY MOTHER THE CAR'....FUNNY,GLAMOUROUS,SMART,GORGEOUS & FUEL EFFIECIENT...WHAT MORE COULD A GUY ASK FOR?

delightful sitcom .......2005-07-11

When Ann Sothern's Hollywood career started to stall, the lovely star focused her attention on television. She appeared in several shows as well as a lavish TV production of Kurt Weill's LADY IN THE DARK, and THE ANN SOTHERN SHOW. She also played the nosey Susie Camille MacNamara in the wonderful sitcom PRIVATE SECRETARY...

The sitcom PRIVATE SECRETARY featured Ann Sothern as Susie, the secretary to New York talent mogul Peter Sands (Don Porter). However, Susie often gets confused as to the limitations of her job and gets frequently entangled in the lives of Peter and his clients. Snappy dialogue and great comic support is provided by Ann Tyrrell as Susie's workmate Vi Praskins. When the series later went into syndication, the title of the show was inexplicably changed to SUSIE.

This DVD from Alpha contains 4 great episodes (presented under the SUSIE title):

"What Every Secretary Knows" - Susie gets embroiled with an opera bigwig when Peter tries to clinch a deal for two of his rising stars.

"How to Handle a Boss" - Susie arranges for her journalist-boyfriend to act as her ghostwriter when she has to submit an important article for a magazine.

"Not Quite Paradise" - Vi's aunt (guest star ZaSu Pitts) becomes convinced that Vi and Peter are engaged...and that Susie is the 'Other Woman'!

"Three's a Crowd" - Susie finds herself sandwiched in a love triangle, comprising of a young playwright and a gunho Broadway producer.

Hopefully Alpha may release some more eps from this often-neglected sitcom in the future.

Average customer rating:

Art imitates life as Grable plays "The Pin Up Girl"
"We should have used our imaginations"
Finally, Grable on DVD!
Comment on commentary...
WHERE ARE MICKEY AND JUDY WHEN YOU NEED 'EM?

Pin-Up Girl
Starring: Betty Grable , John Harvey , Martha Raye , Joe E. Brown , and Eugene Pallette
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000BZISU8
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Description

Betty Grable in the role that she made famous throughout World War II. A classic musical romance with Martha Raye and Joe E. Brown.

Customer Reviews:

Art imitates life as Grable plays "The Pin Up Girl".......2007-03-28

Betty Grable may have been seven months pregnant when this picture wrapped; but she puts in a fine performance with this musical. She sings well and dances, too. Fox does a marvelous job of hiding the fact that she's pregnant. The plot is razor thin as it was with many musicals of its time; but again the singing and dancing are why people go to see musicals--and you won't be disappointed there.

Grable plays Lorry Jones, a carefree gal who promises her heart to a mere 500 men to make them happy since she figures she'll never bump into them again when World War II is over. Lorry goes to New York for a weekend romp with her friend Kay, played by Dorothea Kent, before the two have to report for their new jobs as stenographers at the Naval Department in Washington. Naturally, the moment the ladies hit New York things begin to happen--and fast. They see the famous war hero Tommy Dooley played by John Harvey at Grand Central Station and there's competition for him right from the start in nightclub singer Molly McKay who is played by Martha Raye. Eventually they all wind up in a nightclub as the romantic sparks begin to fly between Lorry Jones and Tommy Dooley. Several musical numbers later, along with some incredible dancing both on foot and on roller skates, Lorry and Tommy may actually have the chance at a longer term relationship--provided, that is, that Molly, a Marine and the other 499 men Lorry casually said she was engaged to don't get in their way.

As one reviewer notes, I couldn't help but compare this to the great MGM musicals of the day. The two numbers in which the two men tap dance are wonderful; and I also thoroughly enjoyed the colorful number where the beautiful dancing girls wear huge feathers of red, white and blue. However, Grable fans will be the ones who will be the happiest with this movie as it really doesn't quite measure up to other musicals--even the other musicals in which Grable starred while she was at Fox!

The cinematography reflects good judgment and forethought; the characters are well framed within the picture which gives this mid 1940s war time musical a rather "pure" and "conservative, going with the mainstream" quality. The choreography shines with each and every dance number; I believe that a great deal of work went into figuring out how to stage those musical numbers.

The DVD has a few extras worth noting: you get a deleted scene of Grable singing a song that was cut from the final production; and there is a commentary by Richard Schickel. There are trailers for this movie and three other Fox musicals, too.

After all is said and done, however, this is Betty Grable's movie; and Grable's fans will enjoy Pin-Up Girl the most. The plot is rather thin and the acting by John Harvey is nothing special; but Grable gives a solid performance. Fox takes great advantage of the fact that Grable WAS a "pin-up girl" in real life. If you like musicals you'll probably enjoy this one but rate it about a B+. However, true blue Grable fans will love every minute of this movie.

"We should have used our imaginations".......2006-07-11

Skewering her real life role of a pin up girl, this 1944 movie stars Betty Grable as Lorry Jones a pretty and feisty young girl who works for the USO and is heading for Washington DC. Aboard the train, a conversation with friend Kay (Dorothea Kent) reveals that the pair isn't headed for the USO, but will instead take jobs as stenographers.

On the way, the pair decides to visit New York, where they see Molly McKay (Martha Raye) flirting with Guadalcanal hero Tommy Dooley (John Harvey). Later, Lorry claims to know the hero to gain admittance to the packed Club Chanteuse. The Club itself is a grand affair; a huge swing band plays on a giant stage that stretches from floor to ceiling, whilst the actual show consists of singers, dancers and even roller-skating routine featuring the Skating Vanities!

When Tommy eventually turns up at the club, he is immediately besotted with the cute Lorry. But Molly - the real star of the Club Chanteuse - is secretly seething; she knows that Molly is a fake so she asks her sing a song from the show. Lorry gets back at Molly when she belts out the tune as if she sang it every night on stage, even with back up singers!

Lorry and Kay continue on their journey to Washington DC and eventually bump into Tommy who coincidentally is looking for a stenographer - of course he picks Lorry. Of course Tommy can't tell who Lorry is because she's wearing glasses and has her hair in a bun, and every time he looks at her, she's looking back at him with crossed-eyes!

The story is silly and trite and almost non-existent, and it's all merely an excuse for framing the elaborate musical numbers, which are centered on the three-tiered bandstands where Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra sit. Indeed most of the action takes place in the nightclubs where Lorry and Tommy mostly hang out.

Obviously made for all the GI's, the film has an innocent quality combined with a sort of fierce patriotism and you really get the sense that the film is pushing the merits of the allied war effort. There's no doubt that Grable is sparkling and bubbly and she does a good job with the singing and dancing, even though the role is a bit of a caricature. But you can easily see how much she contributed to the war effort.

It's interesting to watch films such as this - not just for the flashy musical numbers, which sometimes border in the gaudy, but also for the social relevance, and for the forties nostalgia.

Although Pin-Up Girl may not be the best example of a War musical - the film is slight and is basically restricted to the pattern of boy-meets-girl and they live happily ever after - it's still a welcome and harmless diversion - just like Betty Grable, with her long silken legs, was a distraction for lonely soldiers of World War II. Mike Leonard July 06.

Finally, Grable on DVD!.......2006-04-23

It's a shame that all the Fox musicals haven't been released on DVD, especially the gorgeous Technicolor titles featuring Alice Faye, Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda.
Most agree that this wasn't Betty's best film ... the ending is especially weak, although the all-girl marching routine is impressive. The commentary by noted film historian/critic Richard Shickel is not especially helpful and uninspired. His comments on Martha Raye and Joe E. Brown are good but he incorrectly states that this was their only film together ... wrong. They co-starred in "$1000 A Touchdown" for Paramount in 1939. And this was Raye's third film with Grable, which Shickel doesn't mention. He also passes up the fact that Raye was married to one of the dancing Condos Brothers in the movie. The notes in the colorful and well-designed DVD liner by film historian Sylvia Stoddard are much more fun and accurate.
The film transfer itself seems a bit on the dark side, but it's still gorgeous.
Thanks, Fox! As a Grable and Raye fan, I've waited for this for a long time!

Comment on commentary..........2006-04-01

Listening to Richard Schickel's slow delivery will probaby put you to sleep although he does provide some interesting background information on some of the stars in the film. He states, correctly, that Joe E. Brown will probably be best remembered for his role in "Some Like It Hot." However, he mistakenly states that Tony Curtis was the "girl" for