Sunday, January 6, 2008 - Cary Grant Movie Reviews--Charade and Father Goose
Charade
Murder. Hidden money. Men with secret identities. Pretty widows. Secrets from a war long over. Lies. Theft. Spying. Guns. Sound like an adventure? I think you are right!
Audrey Hepburn (another favorite of mine...oh my, I seem to have a lot of favorites, don't I?) plays a young woman named Reggie Lampert, who is planning on divorcing her husband, Charles. She is vacationing at a ski resort in France, but plans to return to Paris, where she will ask Charles for a divorce. It is at the ski resort she first meets Cary Grant's character, Peter Joshua. Peter and Reggie's first meeting is a brief one--but both seem to develop an instant liking for each other. Reggie even invites Peter to look her up in Paris once her divorce is finalized, never expecting Peter to do so.
Reggie's plan changes dramatically, however, when she arrives home in Paris to find that her husband has been killed. The new widow is alarmed, but almost relieved. Peter arrives to offer his regrets, and the two start a friendship. It isn't until Reggie is introduced to a CIA agent that things truly become messy--the agent informs her of her husband's involvement in a government theft during the war. Of the four men that were with him, one was dead. The other three were still alive--and had killed Charles, the CIA suspected, for the money that he had helped to steal. Now the three believe that Reggie has the money, and they will do anything to get it back. Reggie's life is in danger--but worse than that, she has a small problem--she doesn't know where the money is herself!
Thus, Reggie enlists the aid of Peter, and the two join forces to find the money, avoid the killers, and fall in love. This is a suspenseful, action filled movie--from Peter's rooftop battle over Paris with a one-handed man to rescuing a kidnapped French child!
Reggie is a delightful character, and Peter equally charming. But Reggie begins to suspect Peter of lying to her--and her fears are confirmed. She wonders if she can trust anyone--especially when it appears Peter may be working against the CIA. She even begins to wonder if he will kill her himself! Is Peter who he says he is? (I'll give you a hint, he most certainly is not!)
Some special extras add to this movie--the Paris scenery, to be exact. Reggie's references to the Humpback of Notre Dame, Gene Kelly's dance from An American in Paris, and the sights of France in the background add a little extra flavor to an already sizzling movie. Another favorite part of mine--this is for you Audrey Hepburn or My Fair Lady fans--is when Grant's character takes Reggie to her hotel room, and proclaims that they are "On the street where you live!" (and for you others, this is a reference to another famous film of Audrey's, My Fair Lady, and the name of a song in it) Just makes me laugh!
Quotes from the movie:
"Do women find it feminine to be so illogical, or can't they help it?"--Peter
"Three of them. All in their pyjamas? C'est ridicule! What is it, some new American
fad?"-- police commissioner
"No it isn't, I'm getting a divorce."--Reggie "Please! Not on my account."--Peter
"Oh, poor old Herman. It seems like him and good luck always was strangers. Well, maybe now he'll meet up with his other hand some place."--Tex
Father Goose
Now here's a fun movie! I've been wanting to see this one for a while, and so many people (lotrsavvy, for one! thanks!) have recommended it to me, I had to get it and watched it over Thanksgiving. And then I watched it again. And actually, I ended up watching it four times in one week. I really do love this movie now. Everything about it is awesome--the locations are beautiful, the story is funny, romantic, cute, and exciting, the cast is wonderful, Cary Grant is sixty but still incredibly handsome and as charming as ever...hehe.
Set during World War II, Grant plays American Walter Eckland, who has been spending much of his time alone in the South Pacific with his new beautiful boat. However, he is recruited--and forced--into becoming an Allied coast-watcher. His good friend, Commander Houghton, has found use for this whiskey-loving man--and he is dropped off with provisions on a small island.
Walter's job is simple--at first. He watches for enemy planes, identifies them, and radios in (using his title-derived code name, Mother Goose) to the Commander. A replacement can't come soon enough, though, for Walter--he hates this job. Thus, he is delighted when a replacement is found. Of course, the replacement is on the next island over. Walter must take a small trip in his tiny motorboat to rescue the man from the Japanese, bring him back to his own island, and then, he can finally leave.
Upon arriving at the replacement's island, however, Walter is greeted with a surprise--the man is dead. And on the island instead is a pretty French schoolteacher, and the seven little girls in her charge. Walter is horrified--not only must he continue to be on his island as a coast watcher, but he must take eight females with him!
Hilarium ensues back on the island. Walter and the woman, Catherine, clash constantly. Catherine is a prim, proper woman who will not have the children subjected to Walter's filthy, bachelor ways. He, on the other hand, is determined to stay out of their lives, and believes they should do the same to him. Unfortunately, the women-folk take over--everything. His hut, his clothes, his tin beef, his coconuts--they even hide his whiskey! The girls can't stand him either--and he doesn't try very hard to win their affections at first.
Both parties must learn to compromise in this hysterical battle of the sexes. Will Walter ever get used to life with women? Will the little girls warm up to him, and will Catherine ever accept him for who he is? It's a funny tale, complete with lots of excitement as Walter and Catherine have to avoid Japanese troops, the island dangers, take care of the children, and deal with their own growing relationship!
Quotes from the movie:
"Let me tell you-- I am not a father figure. I am not a brother figure or an uncle figure or a cousin figure. In fact, the only figure I intend being is a total stranger figure."--Walter
"How do you know it's [a fish] a 'she'?"--Catherine "Her mouth is open, now be quiet."--Walter
"How in English do you say 'parachute'?" --Catherine
Comments
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
Ooh! I love Charade! =D I'm on a mission to collect ALL the Audrey movies...
Which reminds me: The other day we spent way too long on your blog checking out your music which led to us singing 'Enry 'Iggins for the rest of the day.
Now I'm thinking I should be adding Cary to that list. =P
Father Goose sounds great!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Awww, hehe. But you are obsessed with him, right? :P Be proud of what you are!! hahaha
Yay! We actually just watched Father Goose a couple nights ago. :D That has so many funny lines in it. hehe
Jennifer
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
AUDREY HEPBURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LoL did you see the pics. of her on my blog? I have a poster of her in my room my all time most Fav.!!!!
I know I love that NB song.
GB~
sharla~
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Striker
oh I'm sorry, you made the cake? Well, then it was a........really cool looking slipper!
I didn't know so many movies had the same actor in it!
~Striker
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - RYC:
Posted by SuperAngel
Yep, I think Riley is pretty cool. I loved him in the first one. hahaha
No I have never been your way. It would be neat to head that way though.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Have a great day!!
Love, Prayers and Blessings,
Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com
Thursday, January 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Awww thankyou.... I feal so old.... LoL thankyou so much! I love having you as a friend as well!
GB~
sharla~
Sunday, January 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sarahbeth
I _love_ Father Goose. I'm not that big a fan of Audry Hepburn *ducks as Audry Fans throw rotten tomatoes at me* but she is soo funny in this one.
Have you seen the movie Funny Face? It's stars Audry Hepburn and Fred Astare, and it's a fabulous movie in Technicolor.
Love the music on your sidebar!
Cheers!
Sarah Beth
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