It's interesting to note the relatively solid rating this film gets here on IMDb (7.3 at the time of this writing), and to read the reviews and discussion. There's no doubt about it -- this is an odd film -- almost desafinado -- slightly out of tune.
The opening segment of the film is interesting...and funny. Pipsqueak Professor Elwell (Hume Cronyn) is interviewing Margaret Hamilton (the witch in "The Wizard Of Oz") trying to find out information about the mysterious Dr. Praetorious (Cary Grant) and his constant companion Shunderson (Finlay Currie; the devout follower of Christ in "Ben-Hur").
From there we meet young Jeanne Crain who faints in class. She goes to Dr. Praetorius and learns she is pregnant, and he learns she is unwed. She attempts suicide and stays at his clinic, but then disappears. But, Cary Grant pursues her to her uncle's farm where she and her father unhappily live...but not for long...he proposes.
And then comes the climax of the film -- the hearing where Elwell brings charges against Preatorious. It's a great scene as Grant responds to all the charges, one by one. But then comes the question about the mysterious Shunderson, which he refuses to answer. Will he fall on this? No, because Shunderson enters the room and tells his own marvelous story. Hearing over. And Shunderson, in private, calls Elwell a "little man".
I enjoy this film every time I watch it, and I must have watched it more than half-a-dozen times. And the main reason I enjoy it is the wonderful performance of an aging and very tan Cary Grant; it really is one of his best performances. Jeanne Crain is superb here, as well, and this is one of her best role. Finlay Currie is wonderful as the mysterious Shunderson. Although his character is not likable, Hume Cronyn's performance is exceptional. Walter Slezak plays a lovable curmudgeon who is friends with Praetorious. And this was the film where I first noticed Sidney Blackmer...a fine and underrated character actor; this is one of his best roles. Basil Ruysdael does well as the college dean.
Earlier I said that this film was almost desafinado. But that is not a negative. It's gloriously different. Highly recommended!
The opening segment of the film is interesting...and funny. Pipsqueak Professor Elwell (Hume Cronyn) is interviewing Margaret Hamilton (the witch in "The Wizard Of Oz") trying to find out information about the mysterious Dr. Praetorious (Cary Grant) and his constant companion Shunderson (Finlay Currie; the devout follower of Christ in "Ben-Hur").
From there we meet young Jeanne Crain who faints in class. She goes to Dr. Praetorius and learns she is pregnant, and he learns she is unwed. She attempts suicide and stays at his clinic, but then disappears. But, Cary Grant pursues her to her uncle's farm where she and her father unhappily live...but not for long...he proposes.
And then comes the climax of the film -- the hearing where Elwell brings charges against Preatorious. It's a great scene as Grant responds to all the charges, one by one. But then comes the question about the mysterious Shunderson, which he refuses to answer. Will he fall on this? No, because Shunderson enters the room and tells his own marvelous story. Hearing over. And Shunderson, in private, calls Elwell a "little man".
I enjoy this film every time I watch it, and I must have watched it more than half-a-dozen times. And the main reason I enjoy it is the wonderful performance of an aging and very tan Cary Grant; it really is one of his best performances. Jeanne Crain is superb here, as well, and this is one of her best role. Finlay Currie is wonderful as the mysterious Shunderson. Although his character is not likable, Hume Cronyn's performance is exceptional. Walter Slezak plays a lovable curmudgeon who is friends with Praetorious. And this was the film where I first noticed Sidney Blackmer...a fine and underrated character actor; this is one of his best roles. Basil Ruysdael does well as the college dean.
Earlier I said that this film was almost desafinado. But that is not a negative. It's gloriously different. Highly recommended!