I watched this film again tonight (for the second time) and I have to change my review. Did you watch a film and think that 'something' is just a little off? It might be the acting. It might be the script. It might be the direction. Or in this case...it might be everything! Well, that was second conclusion here. And looking back now I can see why this was one of the films that made Katharine Hepburn "box office poison".
This 1936 RKO film stars Hepburn as a young woman who rebels against the social mores of Victorian England. She begins by defying her autocratic father (a not so nice Donald Crisp), has a baby out of wedlock, and becomes a crusading journalist. It really was ahead of its time! Except, perhaps, with the style of directing. It comes across as not a 1936 film, but perhaps a decrepit 1930 film, and that extends all the way from the direction down to the background music. This is one of those truly old films, and don't take that as a compliment.
This was the film debut of Van Heflin, and I have never understood just how he became a popular film actor. I still don't after seeing his first film. On the other hand, it was interesting seeing a young Herbert Marshall, long a favorite of mine. Elizabeth Allan -- why was she this homely in this film...she usually was quite attractive...perhaps the hair style. Even Katharine Hepburn's acting here is 'just off'.
Interesting photography of coastal Italy...or as we call it, Carmel, California. ;-) Very worth watching to see why this (and a couple of other flops) made Hepburn "box office poison". I can see why it wasn't popular back in 1936; I'd say it's only value might well be to fans of either Hepburn or Marshall.
This 1936 RKO film stars Hepburn as a young woman who rebels against the social mores of Victorian England. She begins by defying her autocratic father (a not so nice Donald Crisp), has a baby out of wedlock, and becomes a crusading journalist. It really was ahead of its time! Except, perhaps, with the style of directing. It comes across as not a 1936 film, but perhaps a decrepit 1930 film, and that extends all the way from the direction down to the background music. This is one of those truly old films, and don't take that as a compliment.
This was the film debut of Van Heflin, and I have never understood just how he became a popular film actor. I still don't after seeing his first film. On the other hand, it was interesting seeing a young Herbert Marshall, long a favorite of mine. Elizabeth Allan -- why was she this homely in this film...she usually was quite attractive...perhaps the hair style. Even Katharine Hepburn's acting here is 'just off'.
Interesting photography of coastal Italy...or as we call it, Carmel, California. ;-) Very worth watching to see why this (and a couple of other flops) made Hepburn "box office poison". I can see why it wasn't popular back in 1936; I'd say it's only value might well be to fans of either Hepburn or Marshall.