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the greatest British films.
The incomparable Charles Laughton plays the perfect London butler who is "sold" to an American parvenu from a small town in Washington state (Red Gap). His (mal)adjustment to America is the source of the humor. Charlie Ruggles plays his new American master and Zasu Pitts his love interest. Roland Young gives one of the most convincing portraits of an upper-class Englishman ever portrayed.
Rather an unexciting plot but don't be fooled: the writing is absolutely brilliant with some of the best dialogue you ever will hear in a film. Laughton delivers, in the midst of all this mirth, one of the most thrilling soliloquies in film history: it actually got me a little emotional.
I have bought very few films (less than 20) but this one occupies a special place on a very small shelf.
Laughton is an unfortunately undervalued artist, these days almost forgotten. Yet, his Captain Bligh in "Mutiny on the Bounty" is fabulous performance as are his portrayals of Henry VIII and Rembrandt. Oh, and let's not forget his amazing turn behind the camera for, "The Night of the Hunter."
Follow Ups:
...was as The Hunchback of Notre Dame which had me spellbound as a youngster even though I must have seen it four or five times.
Surely this classic must be due for a remake, although it is quite close to more modern films in concept such as Beauty and the Beast, The Elephant Man, Darkman and even King Kong amongst others so the impact may be diminished.
It would be a role I'd imagine the best actors would relish.
Best Regards,
Chris redmond.
There was already a remake...
nt
Best Regards,
Chris redmond.
No. Terribly bad.
LOLO and Quin the eskimo
I was deceived.
As a Butler he make more the queer than a real butler.
The film is outdated.
But i had my fun.
Undervalued?
From whom?
He is a fine artist. So was his wife.
"effete."
Notice how his behavior changes?
And.... it was a comic turn, Patrick! I suppose you faulted Le Cage for the gay character? But Laughton hardly was gay because of the romantic subplot.
Anyhow, for the speech in the bar, alone, this film would justly be renowned. Add to it the many fine character actors and actresses, the brilliant dialogue, the perfect editing---- and you have a classic.
It may be an American/English thing to enjoy, I don't know. Perhaps others are unaware of the strange relationship between the colonialists and their former masters?
Effemine in French, I suppose.
No it was not only a comic turn as in real life in walked like he did.
No he was not gay in this film, but he played it.
And that was not to my liking.
It was overdone.
Blabla...I said a film I DID enjoy. Still outdated.
Beh...
film called "If I Had a Million." It an episodic comedy-drama made in 1932 and is, as far as I know, the first of many films about someone givng away a fortune and the effect it has on the recipients. Charles Laughton has a scene in it that is one of the classic comedy routines of 30s film. Oh yes, it also has some classic bits by George Raft, WC Fields, Jack Oakie, Charlie Ruggles, and the magnificent Allison Skipworth. Each segment has a different director, among them the masters Norman Taroug, Ernst Lubitsch, and Norman Z. McLeod. It's about 80 minutes and a great lesson on how humor and a little drama helped ease the pain of the Great Depression.
If you haven't seen it please do so immediately then report back to us.
greatest English actor virtually unknown to American audiences.
He also directed "Duck Soup' and 'Going my Way," amongst a long list of fine films. Laughton's drunken butler scene was classic. Reminded me of Chaplin's in "City Lights." Wasn't Ruggles was an American production?
he also is the producer--- and was one of the most successful of his day. I wonder if there was a legal wrangle or some such thing? All other sources list McCarey and it obviously is his style.
and was even thrown off the lot a time or two. He was one of the finest directors in an era that had many but he was also rather irascible and did not suffer interference from higher ups (producers) or complaining very well. He did not like Cary Grant, thinking him a chronic complainer and felt that some of the on-screen tics that Grant performed were a not too flattering imitation of Mr. McCarey.McCarey was chosen for "Ruggles of Red Gap" becuae of Charles Laughton, who personally requested him. The filming went pretty well but ran long because of some serious health issues that Laughton had suffered just prior to filming which caused him to miss some calls during filming. It's said the barroom scene, where Laughton recites the Gettysburg address, and which is certainly an all-time classic bit, took nearly two days to shoot for Laughton, and sometimes one of the other actors, could not get through the whole scene without tearing up.
As to why McCarey isn't listed as director of the film, well, I've read several different reasons but I suppose it was because he and the studio were once again not speaking. Despite their occasional spats they did have a long and fruitful relationship and McCarey's projects won many accolades including several Oscars. He may have been a thorn in Paramount's side, and they in his, but that thorn was made of gold and their long relationship resulted in some of the most fondly remembered films of Hollywood's Golden Era.
Edits: 03/16/09
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