Starring Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and William Bendix
Directed by Tay Garrett
Music by Jimmy Van Heusen; Lyrics by Johnny Burke
Of course, Lawrence Olivier wasn't the only star who occasionally indulged in swashbuckling fantasies. Even easy-going Bing Crosby found himself caught up in a romantic adventure or two, and not just on the road with his buddy Bob Hope. This is the third adaptation of the Mark Twain novel about a blacksmith who finds himself back in medieval times and shows the residents how modern people live. How does this version fare? Let's head to Pendragon Castle in England, just as the tour begins, and find out...
The Story: Hank Martin (Crosby) tells the castle's owner Lord Pendragon (Hardwicke) his story when he shows him a priceless pendant given to him by the lovely Lady Alisande (Fleming). Martin is a car mechanic in early 1900's Connecticut who is knocked out and wakes up in medieval times. He's found by a burly knight named Sir Sagemore (Bendix), who brings him to his bosses King Arthur (Hardwicke), Merlin (Merwyn Vye), and Morgan Le Fay (Virginia Field). The aging and ill Arthur at first agrees with Merlin that Hank should be executed as a "monster." Hank uses the light from his watch to convince Arthur and the locals he's a sorcerer. Lady Alisande was always convinced, especially after Hank flirts heavily with her.
Merlin and Morgan have their own plans. They first set Alisande's fiancee Lancelot (Henry Wilcoxon) on Hank in a jousting match, but Hank uses rope tricks to get him off his horse. When Hank convinces Arthur to dress as a peasant and see the suffering in his own kingdom, they end up in Merlin and Morgan's hands as slaves. Hank, however, still has one more trick in his little black almanac that could save them all.
The Song and Dance: For once, Crosby being out-of-place in a historical film actually works as part of the plot. He does very well as the laid-back mechanic who uses his knowledge of the future to get himself and others out of a few big jams in the past. Bendix has some funny moments as Hank's strongest and most loyal ally in Arthur's court, and Rhonda Fleming is spirited and lovely as the intelligent Alisande. The color is absolutely gorgeous, nicely illuminating the stunning costumes and shadowy sets representing a fairy-tale Camelot.
Favorite Number: We start off with Hank explaining to the kids in his Connecticut town why you should always keep trying, even "If You Stub Your Toe On the Moon." "Once and for Always" is Alisande and Hank's big duet, performed first after the ball to introduce him to the court, and later after they've all been tossed in prison by Merlin. Hank, Arthur, and Sagemore are "Busy Doing Nothing" as they try to pass for peasants on the road through Camelot.
What I Don't Like: The plot does come a little closer to the original Mark Twain book than the 1927 Rodgers and Hart stage musical, but it's still not a 100 percent adaptation. (For one thing, Morgan Le Fay shows up here, too.) The music, while cute, isn't the most memorable. Alisande's sudden change from Hank to Lancelot and back again is a bit of a mood whiplash in the middle of the movie. While it does set up for Hank leaving the kingdom, it also makes little sense with what comes before or after. Also, note this sticks to the book's interpretation as Merlin as a lot younger and more villainous than usual.
The Big Finale: If you love stories of knights and princesses and Camelot or fish-out-of-water tales, or are a fan of Crosby, you'll want to give this glowing fantasy tale a try.
Home Media: Currently DVD only in North America as part two Bing Crosby sets (although it does show up on TCM from time to time).
No comments:
Post a Comment