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Rated: G
Starring: Niven, Maclaine, et al. Review
This Mike Todd production was a star-studded, multi-million dollar
extravaganza when first released in 1956. It remains enjoyable family
fare, but time has somewhat dulled its shine. Still, it compares favorably
to the overly long, TV mini-series starring Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle.
Elegant David Niven plays the neurotically punctual
Phileas Fogg, a British gent who is spurned on by a wager to prove he can
travel around the world in 80 days. He is accompanied by his valet, played
with persnickety humor by Cantinflas. Nominated for several
Academy Awards, this was written by John Farrow (Mia's dad) and S.J.
Perelman, based on Jules Verne's 1873 classic. The fun part is the
razzle-dazzle. Todd knew what he was doing with all those exotic locales
and over 40 cameo appearances, including Charles Boyer, Ronald Coleman,
Marlene Dietrich, Jos&eaacute; Greco, Peter Lorre, Buster Keaton, Frank
Sinatra, and Red Skelton. A very young Shirley MacLaine was painted and
dyed to play a lively Indian Princess. --Rochelle O'Gorman
----------- This Todd-AO wide-wide-wide
screen production earned many accolades when it was released and, although
it may be a bit tame by today's standards, it should be placed on a DVD in
its original WIDESCREEN Todd-AO format to get the full effect of its
scenic and comic wonders. David Niven, a very young and beautiful Shirley
MacLaine, Robert Newton and Cantinflas head a HUGE cast of movie stars
playing all sorts of cameo surprise roles throughout, many of whom will
probably not be recognized by today's generation but who should be
remembered nevertheless. The great Victor Young score is magnificent and
GREAT names show up all through this movie: Buster Keaton, Marlene
Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, Cesar Romero, and over 40 other stars light up
this adventure, which really works best in its widescreen presentation.
Why this great family film has not been given the DVD treatment is a
mystery to me. Let's hope this error in judgment will be corrected soon
and a pristine widescreen DVD will be forthcoming of this truly delightful
movie.
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