Thursday, April 8, 2010

Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, and a Very Long Swordfight--Good Times for Stewart Granger in "Scaramouche"

MGM, the home of big splashy musicals, pretty much ignored historical adventure films in the 1930s and 1940s, leaving that genre to rivals Warner Bros. (The Adventures of Robin Hood) and 20th Century-Fox (The Mark of Zorro). That changed in 1950 when the unexpected worldwide success of King Solomon’s Mines convinced studio executives to relook the genre. They promptly cast Solomon’s Mines star Stewart Granger as the dashing hero of Scaramouche. No expense was spared on the film and it shows—Scaramouche is, simply, one of the finest swashbucklers in the history of the cinema.

Granger plays Andre Moreau, a carefree rascal who is more interested in the pretty actress Lenore (Eleanor Parker) than in the soon-to-begin French Revolution. That changes when Andre’s closest friend Phillipe (Richard Anderson), a revolutionary activist, meets his demise in a duel with the Marquis de Maynes (Mel Ferrer). Andre vows revenge, but knows he is no match for de Maynes, the most renowned swordsman in France.

Now branded a revolutionary himself, Andre takes refuge in an acting troupe. He assumes the stage role of Scaramouche, a buffoon who wears a pink-cheeked mask. To his surprise, Lenore turns out to be the small troupe’s leading lady. Her anger with him over their hot-cold romance generates laughs on the stage and Scaramouche’s fame begins to grow—but Andre’s heart is still filled with vengeance. He secretly takes fencing lessons from de Mayne’s tutor in preparation for his eventual showdown with his enemy.

There’s much more to the story. Screenwriters Ronald Millar and George Froeschel do an excellent job of condensing the rich plot of Rafael Sabatini’s entertaining bestseller (well worth reading). Sabatini loyalists may quibble with some of the key changes from the book, but I think they actually work for the best. And no one can argue with the witty dialogue. When the fencing instructor has to unexpectedly terminate the lessons, Andre inquires about the next best fencing instructor: “I can no longer be taught by the man who taught my enemy. So what is more fitting in a mad world than to be taught by the man who taught the man who taught my enemy?”

Stewart Granger is marvelous in a role that Errol Flynn would have played ten years earlier. Mel Ferrer makes a fine villain and Janet Leigh, who has never looked lovelier, exudes charming innocence as Andre’s other love. But the best supporting performance belongs to Eleanor Parker as the fiery red-headed Lenore. She and Granger have a natural chemistry that makes their scenes together sparkle.

The famous MGM production values are very much on display in Scaramouche. The colors are vivid, the costumes ornate, and the set design impeccable. You’ll swear that the thrilling climactic swordfight (possibly the longest in film history at 5:35 minutes…and my personal favorite) was filmed in a real Parisian theatre draped in gold, red, and white.

Stewart Granger followed Scaramouche with a colorful, though somewhat unnecessary, MGM remake of The Prisoner of Zenda (it may be the most faithful remake ever). I wouldn’t say Granger was a great actor, but he was an immensely likable and dependable star. And he was fortunate enough to find in Scaramouche the perfect role and in Eleanor Parker the perfect co-star. In a mad world, what more could an actor ask for?

10 comments:

  1. Sigh... Eleanor Parker... Janet Leigh... an impossible decision. A great film (and fun to say) with swords, romance... and Eleanor and Janet. Thanks for a terrific write-up, Rick. I hope anyone who hasn't seen the film will watch it the next chance they get!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sark, in choosing between Eleanor and Janet, I think Stewart Granger's character faces one of the most difficult decisions about amour in the history of film! Sometimes, I agree with his decision--oft times I don't. By the way, I added a hyperlink so Eleanor's fans can read a profile about her that appeared on the Cafe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You'd think being a historian of French history I might have watched this just to say how unauthentic it is, but I've never seen this. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for a great introduction to this film.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rick, I am a fan of Rafael Sabatini and was delighted with how his brilliant work was brought to life in this movie. I was most pleasantly surprised with Stewart Granger in the title role and love the climactic swordfight in the theatre. It is marvelous! How Granger could choose between the exquisitely beautiful ladies will remain a mystery to me as well, Sark and Rick. This should be required reading and viewing for every student. Loved your write-up!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rick, I cannot believe that I have not seen this film. I'm a huge fan of Eleanor Parker, Stewart Granger and Janet Leigh. Not to mention sword fighting.. From watching the video, this could very well be one of my favorite films. Awesome review!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Toto, though most Sabatini fans prefer CAPTAIN BLOOD, my favorite among his novels is SCARAMOUCHE (I've even read the forgotten sequel SCARAMOUCHE THE KING MAKER). As for the film verson of the original, it' got something for everyone. My Dad, a big fan of swashbuckler films, loved the climatic swordfight. But he would always note that if it'd been the real thing, the duellists would have stopped midway through it...due to exhaustion.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rick, I have seen this movie many times. It is very enjoyable. I love the swashbuckler films. Stewart Granger does his job well, but it is Eleanor Parker who steals the show. I have had fencing classes and no one uses a sword like Flynn or Rathbone. They are the best. The plot of the film is what I like. As for the women guys, a feisty one is more entertaining than a pretty dull one. She has the brain to make life interesting...but that's a woman's point of view. Rick, your father was right about the climatic sword fight. It would be too long and tiring to have lasted that long, but many battle scenes in movies are like that and still are. An good review, Rick, and I enjoyed it. I also have read many Sabitini novels and my personal favorite is Captain Blood and the sequels are good too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's funny that you comment about the "natural chemistry" betweeb Granger and Parker - because according to the lady herself it didn't exist in real life. In fact she says that Granger was the only co-star that she ever hated. You can hear for yourself her vitriolic diatribe against the man in this radio interview she did in September of 2009:

    http://media.usm.maine.edu/~wmpg/archivefiles/Dinman/DVDCC%20091023.mp3

    Her comments about SCARAMOUCHE begin around the 18 minute mark.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Maggie. I listened to the clip...that was great! It's obvious that Eleanor really, really didn't like Stewart. I guess it's a testament to their acting skills that they came across so wonderfully as a couple on the screen.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Watch the film on a deeper level than just a colorful "swashbuckler": it was an allegory about the rampant blacklisting spreading throughout Hollywood in the early 50's and a hidden call (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)to take down Joe MCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee....using the French Revolution against the "aristocracy" as an analogous "cover".

    ReplyDelete