Picnic : Restored
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Movie Reviews of Picnic : Restored
Movie Review: Bill Holden and Kim Novak are dynamite
Summary: 5 Stars
Just saw this film again on TCM (where else?), and couldn't help but to check it out on Amazon. This is another of those great Broadway stage hits of the early 50s(Holden's part was originally played by Ralph Meeker) that more than held its own as a movie--aided by all the great talent that was Hollywood in those days.
First of all, you have one of the great romantic film scores: the Moonglow/Picnic theme was a major singles hit at the time, and remains one of my favorite film musical themes. The piano, by the way, was played by Steve Allen, who also wrote the lyrics to the Picnic melody, used so beautifully in counterpoint to the familiar Moonglow jazz song.
Then you have the famous Holden/Novak dance to the Moonglow/Picnic theme, which is probably the sexiest dance scene ever done on film. The chemistry between the two is hot hot hot. When the beautiful,innocent Novak walks down those steps slapping her hands and swinging her hips to that jazzy beat at the virile Holden, you know you're watching film history.Her sexual coming out,if you will. It really is a question of who is seducing who? The direction of this scene by Joshua Logan is superb.
And yes, the supporting cast of pros are also wonderful. When Roz Russell gets on her knees and says "please" [marry me] to a hesitant Arthur O'Connell, I was moved to tears. Perhaps the most moving scene in the film.
They don't make movies like this any more. Why? Because the screenplays aren't there and neither are the stars.
Movie Review: A Vibrant, Stirring American Classic.
Summary: 5 Stars
Unlike Bogdanovich's "The Last Picture Show," which pretends to be a naturalistic, candid account of the death of small-town rural America in the fifties, but is really sensationlaistic and contrived, Josh Logan's adpatation of William Inge's "Picnic" places us squarely into that idyllic world before subtly suggesting the pressures that will soon bring about its collapse. Each of the characters is driven by deep and desperate desires to break free into a life of opportunity and fulfilliment, a world which upon retrospect may seem more limited than the community it was soon to replace. "Picnic" also contains the most erotically-charged scene in all of film. When Kim Novak sensuously swivel-hips down the steps leading to William Holden, accompanied by the "source-music" chords of "Moonglow," we become expectant of some orgasmic culmination. It's provided by the film's score--the superimposed "Picnic" theme--and by the graceful circular movement of Logan's camera. The two lovers bearly touch, and Holden couldn't dance. Yet the actors' electrical "presence" and Logan's construction of the scene are all that's required to engage us fully in the moment. The latter 3rd of the film, until the final scene, is more melodramatic and is not up to the first two-thirds, which must certainly represent the very best of Hollywood in the 1950s.Movie Review: A GREAT CHARACTER STUDY! WONDERFUL FILM!
Summary: 5 Stars
More character study then narrative, the whole film is set during a picnic that takes place the day after a drifter comes to town ready to begin again (but with some some problems on starting at the bottom).Although some people criticize the cast, all I can say is that I find Holden and Novak's performance trully magnetic. It's true that Holden was old, but it doesn't change the fact that he was great (and to be honest, I find it difficult to imagine a younger actor in such a dense role). Rosalind Russell's top performance is also something to be seen (on the subplot) as a woman who's so desperate to grab her last chance to get married that she ruins it (or not?).
The scene where the two leads dance by the river lit with chinese ballons is beautifully staged, shot, photographed and editted. An absolute must in the 50's Cinema.
The DVD comes with two sides: one for widescreen, the other for standard version. Compare the two and you'll see the superiority of widescreen over standard. Standard is horribly crippled.
The sound is full mono (I which it was recorded in stereo...) and the jazzy soundtrack is peerless.
Obviously, most of the issues are much dated by now (virginity, drinking, ageing, marrying, not marrying, etc.), but it was made in the fifties - what did you expect. And yet, I see it very darring in many ways.
Great performances.
Worth watching. Worth buying.
Movie Review: A picnic with Kim novak IS NOT a Labor Day
Summary: 5 Stars
The film that shot Kim Novak to stardom. Generally regarded as nothing more than an untalented ice queen, Kim Novak had more than just her radiant beauty....there was talent under those smoldering eyes. She was never lovlier or better than she was here as the beautiful Kansas farmgirl who wants to be loved for more than just her looks. William Holden (one of the most natural actors ever) is on hand as a drifter who comes into town to look up a rich college friend (Cliff Robertson) for a job. He proceeds to have a dynmaic effect on the frustrated (sexually or otherwise) women of the town. A kind elderly woman takes a liking to him and lets him clean her yard. Novak's sister (Susan Strasberg) crosses the find line of adolescence into womanhood while in his company. Their mother distrusts him because her own drifter husband left her in the lurch. He even lifts the prim and proper facade of the local schoolteacher (Rosalind Russell). But it is the sparks he creates with Novak that make this a classic flick. (God...just to look at her is to fall in love with her). Though he may have been a tad old for the role, Holden is excellent. The film is a microcosm of small-town middle-America and works as an excellent character study also. It is well worth adding to your collection.Movie Review: The best acting you'll ever see.
Summary: 5 Stars
Everything was done right in this classic motion picture. The wonderful script, superb actors, brilliant music score and a wonderful story and a director who really knew how to get the most out of his cast.This motion picture is the likes of what will never come out of Hollywood again. Kim Novak was not only beautiful but could melt any man with here beautiful eyes. The most famous scene where she is dancing at the Labor Day picnic and the seductive theme music playing in the background still is the most sexual scene ever film while still wearing clothes. This kind of acting will never be seen again nor is there talent today in Hollywood to recreate this.The surround channels are bright, brilliant but suttle enough to give you that engulfing sound that just makes you curl-up in your chair a little tighter. This is one of the only movies that makes you feel the pasion as if you were right in the movie yourself.This movie has been brilliantly restored and unlike the review, i give the picture and sound a 5. A must for any collector and a national treasure.