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john-gallagher69
Reviews
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
He's a wonderful actor
Jimmy Stewart was in my opinion the first method actor. The range of emotions he encompasses within the film elevates the film from "corny" to an outstanding study of emotions that is true today of middle America as it was when the film was made. The scene when Harry returns with the surprise wife is outstanding. You only see Stewart's face but within that shot you see the realisation that he is stuck in Bedford Falls and all his dreams of travel and adventure have gone. Only Stewart could have done that scene. the only other comment I am going to make on this film is Stewart's own theory of acting. The ability to make the small things believable; to do the things you would do yourself in the same circumstances. A good example of this is when Clarence announces to him that he is an angel. A small laugh and a knowing gesture at the bridge keeper is totally believable - the best tribute that we can pay the man. Often copied but never emulated this film remains one of the all time classics.
The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941)
The man who came to dinner
I have always thought this a classic film, yet very underrated and understated. Although Kaufman is probably best remembered for the Marx Brothers "A night at the opera", you only see the genius of the script when it is performed by a sterling cast who don't improvise. Although the plot is typical Kaufman it is encrusted with some excellent comic inventions pertinent to the time that may be lost now. Both Jimmy Durante as Banjo and Reginald Gardiner as Beverly Carlton perform excellent parodies of Harpo Marx and Noel Coward respectively. Anne Sheridan is brilliant as the bitch; Davis has never really given a bad performance and as always Mary Wickes as nurse Preen is a joy.