Runyonesque era films rarely interest me. I made an exception for the Clan in "Robin And The Seven Hoods".
I didn't expect this film to catch my fancy either, but there are enough unique aspects to this film to make it well worthwhile watching.
1. This has to be the strangest choice of a role ever made by Bette Davis. Even stranger than "Baby Jane". So, it's worth watching this film just to see Bette Davis in this most unique role. And, although it certainly plays against her "type", she does superbly.
2. This was the last film project for director Frank Capra. And yes, it is "Capracorn", but I usually enjoy "Capracorn".
3. This was also the last film for the wonderful character actor Thomas Mitchell, a veteran of Capra films, including "Lost Horizon".
4. A good performance by Hope Lange.
5. The big screen debut of Ann-Margaret.
6. An elderly Edward Everett Horton, another veteran of other Frank Capra films going way back to "Lost Horizon". Not to mention a number of other well-recognizable character actors.
So what's to criticize? Well, it is a bit longish -- 2:16 minutes, and I think some of the early scenes could have been edited a big. And the ending seemed hurried and a bit illogical. Aside from that, if you like Runyonesque stories -- and perhaps even if you don't -- you should give this film a look. As I indicated, there are many unique features to it...enough to make it nearly an historic film.
I didn't expect this film to catch my fancy either, but there are enough unique aspects to this film to make it well worthwhile watching.
1. This has to be the strangest choice of a role ever made by Bette Davis. Even stranger than "Baby Jane". So, it's worth watching this film just to see Bette Davis in this most unique role. And, although it certainly plays against her "type", she does superbly.
2. This was the last film project for director Frank Capra. And yes, it is "Capracorn", but I usually enjoy "Capracorn".
3. This was also the last film for the wonderful character actor Thomas Mitchell, a veteran of Capra films, including "Lost Horizon".
4. A good performance by Hope Lange.
5. The big screen debut of Ann-Margaret.
6. An elderly Edward Everett Horton, another veteran of other Frank Capra films going way back to "Lost Horizon". Not to mention a number of other well-recognizable character actors.
So what's to criticize? Well, it is a bit longish -- 2:16 minutes, and I think some of the early scenes could have been edited a big. And the ending seemed hurried and a bit illogical. Aside from that, if you like Runyonesque stories -- and perhaps even if you don't -- you should give this film a look. As I indicated, there are many unique features to it...enough to make it nearly an historic film.