1932
Yay! A movie in English! And it takes place in China and is really ethnocentric and just a tad racist. Wait...
Marlene Dietrich may be one of my favorite actresses of all time. I always appreciate actresses that aren't drop dead gorgeous. They have to be successful by their talent and they have to carry themselves in a manner where they are really attractive to men. I think Nicole Kidman and Joan Blondell do (or the latter case, did) that well. This movie is about Marlene Dietrich and the plot, secondary characters, and scenery just seem immaterial when you watch this film.
I have always liked movies that take place on trains. They are always romantic, mysterious, and dark. My experiences on trains has always been rather underwhelming. I think the trick is to get a sleeping car. Anyway, a really good movie that will make you to head the Marlene Dietrich fan club.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
China banned the movie and demanded a world wide withdrawal. The studio had to promise to never make a film about Chinese politics again.
This movie used 1000 extras. I just automatically typed 1001 and had to correct myself. Wow...
Available on YouTube. First part:
I was fortunate.. years ago this was my first (what at the time I regarded as) really 'old' film.. and I loved it. So that encouraged me to go on and try more..
ReplyDeleteYes, you can't really do wrong with a good train movie.
I too am always dissapointed that I never meet such strange and exotic people on real trains. Perhaps I should just be glad no-one has ever been murdered on a train I've been on, but, come on fate.. at least one mysterious figure who sits silently in the corner looking threatening. And Peter Loree in the next compartment.. and someone with a well dodggy MittleEuropa accent...
But it won't happen. I blame two things for the demise of such encounters. a) They have banned smoking from both the engine and the passengers, b) All modern trains are decidedly in colour. Nothing romantic, exotic, mysterious can happen on a colour train.
Ray
Hey Ray,
DeleteI laughed out loud reading your comment. I rode a lot of trains when I was touring France and they were always really dirty and I would come off of them feeling slightly nauseated. Is it too much to ask to have one guy ask me to kill his father if he kills my wife? Apparently so.
Thank you! Glad to have brought a laugh to someone.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, a small request please.
Could you find a way of showing a 'recent comments' box in the side bar? I forgey which 'archive' entries i have commented on, and, as you seem to make a point or replying (much appreciated), I'd like to see what you say. I tend to just pick something at random, and I forget what I've commented on. Also, if anyone else adds, I'd love to develop conversations.
How to do this? No idea. For me, switching a computer on is a major triumph.. but Andrew must know, he added one..
If you can, it would be great...
Ray
Got it up and running; great suggestion Ray! And, of course, applause for turning on the computer today.
DeleteThat was quick.. Thank you. And already I got to see someone else add a comment to the archives I wouldn't have done.
ReplyDeleteRay
No problem! And I commented on your original reply on The Challenge post but I guess that was awhile ago and might not show up on my flashy new recent comments gadget!
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