“Frenchman’s Creek” (Movie Review-9/21/44)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 9/21/44 | Bosley Crowther

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The 1944 version is not available from Netflix. Mrs. Homer enjoyed the Daphne du Maurier novel. I have not seen the movie so I can neither confirm nor deny that Bosley Crowther is on target with his critique. That is undoubtedly the worst photo of Joan Fontaine I have yet seen.

[Tax-chick]

I agree, that’s an awful picture - it looks worse than a good shot of Bette Davis!

I watched “Blanche Fury,” a historical potboiler from 1948, yesterday while sewing. It starred Stewart Granger and a slender actress with very good hair. Everyone in it died.

[Tax-chick]

Do you know anything about John Wayne in RKO’s “Invisible Army”?

[Gefn]

I loved the Daphne Du Maurier book. One of the first romance novels I ever read.

Highly recommended.

[Tax-chick]

Just requested it from the library. I read “Rebecca.”

[Gefn]

I read this book in 9th grade, and I recall I liked it better than Rebecca.

Hitchock did a movie version of Rebecca which scared me when I was younger.

[Tax-chick]

Rebecca is scary. Also, I think it’s totally unfair that the author won’t tell you the main character’s name!

[Gefn]

I googled the book just now, amazing the book was published in 1938 and it’s still read.

I wonder if modern day romance novelists will be read in 80 years from now. I don’t think so.

[Gefn]

I just noticed the ad for a coat on the second page. I need a new winter coat. I actually like that one, and you can get it with mink for under 300.

Wow. I personally don’t like mink, but a coat for under 300?

I love old ads. I wish women still wore hats like they did in my grandmother’s day.

Thanks Mr. Simpson, for the extra bonus today!

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Do you know anything about John Wayne in RKO’s “Invisible Army”?

It will be released next year as "Back to Bataan." (trailer). The Bosley Crowther review runs on September 13, 1945, so we will just miss it.

[henkster]

I dunno; I think she looks kinda hot.

[Tax-chick]

Oh, then I’ve seen it!

[Tax-chick]

It’s just a mink bow, not a whole mink coat. Those sometimes appear in the ads, but they’re priced in the thousands.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Hitchock did a movie version of Rebecca which scared me when I was younger.

"Rebecca" review, March 29, 1940

Joan Fontaine looks a little better in this photo.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

It’s just a mink bow, not a whole mink coat. Those sometimes appear in the ads, but they’re priced in the thousands.

That's right. Back in the pre-war days when you could still get new cars it was not unusual to see a fur advertised for $3,000 when you could get a mid-range car new for under $1,000. Furs might be the one commodity that cost more back in the day in today's dollars than they would today.

[CatherineofAragon]

"I loved the Daphne Du Maurier book. One of the first romance novels I ever read.

Highly recommended."

It's going on my reading list.

Loved "Rebecca", both the book and the film versions. George Sanders was such a perfect villain.

[Tax-chick]

I read a book of short stories by Daphne du Maurier. She had a rather negative perspective on humanity.

[Savage Beast]

Joan Fontaine never did anything for me. Neither did Bette Davis.

[Savage Beast]

My wife ruined Rebecca for me. She said: "You know. The whole thing could have been avoided if right at first she had said, 'How did you feel about your first wife?' Talk about noncommunication in marriage!"