This April 15th marks the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the "greatest ship". I have seen 1997's Titanic starring Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio at least 25 times but had never seen the original starring Clifton Webb and Barbara Stanwyck so when I received a copy from 20th Century Fox to review, I closed the shades, turned on the TV, got a comforter and headed for the couch.
The 411 by Maria:
Well by now unless you are living in a cave you know about the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic. A big boat, sets sail from England to New York but only 3 days into its North Atlantic voyage strikes an iceberg and sinks taking with it 1500 passengers mostly men. Without the big blockbuster budgets of 1997 I was expecting a less than stellar viewing while I fought falling asleep until the end. I LOVED it.
It is in black and white with many shots looks pretty pathetic and less dramatic than James Cameron's blockbuster but the decks, staterooms, and grand staircase are there as well as emotional relationships.
This time we don't have star crossed lovers meeting from different worlds as much as a couple going through a separation. Julia, (Barbara Stanwyck) is taking her two children Norman and Annette to escape a world that she feels has made them nasty, self righteous, egotistical, snobby people like their father Richard (Clifton Webb). Julia wants to raise them in her childhood home in Michigan so she takes them without telling Richard.
Richard buys his way onto the boat. The movie focus on Richard and Julia's relationship along with a few others tossed in for good measure so that we can see just how big hearted Richard and Julia truly are.
There are some funny lines and the movie is dated but that is what I love about it. Not sure why Annette calls her father angel but it is cute. I also love that even when she is about to tell her mother how mad she is, she tells her that she loves her.
Richard: Could you be common in a slightly lower voice.
Julia: I'll say it in any tone you want! I'll whisper it. I'll write it down, but that's the way it's going to be! He stays with me!
Why do the British find it necessary to announce dinner as if it were a cavalry charge.
When the Titanic finally sinks into a very quiet demise. Unlike Cameron's Titanic there is no screaming or crying, just a water filled blast and the singing men and woman quietly go down while the shot goes wide so we can see all the waiting life boats in the foreground.
Even without the hoopla of today's effects, this movie is well worth a gander. The movie looks great for being 60 years old and who won't respect the actors of today after seeing the deliveries of these actors. Most of their acting is done through their expressions with all lines delivered very flat. Still it is a classic and should be respected.
Well by now unless you are living in a cave you know about the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic. A big boat, sets sail from England to New York but only 3 days into its North Atlantic voyage strikes an iceberg and sinks taking with it 1500 passengers mostly men. Without the big blockbuster budgets of 1997 I was expecting a less than stellar viewing while I fought falling asleep until the end. I LOVED it.
It is in black and white with many shots looks pretty pathetic and less dramatic than James Cameron's blockbuster but the decks, staterooms, and grand staircase are there as well as emotional relationships.
This time we don't have star crossed lovers meeting from different worlds as much as a couple going through a separation. Julia, (Barbara Stanwyck) is taking her two children Norman and Annette to escape a world that she feels has made them nasty, self righteous, egotistical, snobby people like their father Richard (Clifton Webb). Julia wants to raise them in her childhood home in Michigan so she takes them without telling Richard.
Richard buys his way onto the boat. The movie focus on Richard and Julia's relationship along with a few others tossed in for good measure so that we can see just how big hearted Richard and Julia truly are.
There are some funny lines and the movie is dated but that is what I love about it. Not sure why Annette calls her father angel but it is cute. I also love that even when she is about to tell her mother how mad she is, she tells her that she loves her.
Richard: Could you be common in a slightly lower voice.
Julia: I'll say it in any tone you want! I'll whisper it. I'll write it down, but that's the way it's going to be! He stays with me!
Why do the British find it necessary to announce dinner as if it were a cavalry charge.
When the Titanic finally sinks into a very quiet demise. Unlike Cameron's Titanic there is no screaming or crying, just a water filled blast and the singing men and woman quietly go down while the shot goes wide so we can see all the waiting life boats in the foreground.
Even without the hoopla of today's effects, this movie is well worth a gander. The movie looks great for being 60 years old and who won't respect the actors of today after seeing the deliveries of these actors. Most of their acting is done through their expressions with all lines delivered very flat. Still it is a classic and should be respected.
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Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy for my honest opinion.
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