The Unsinkable Molly Brown
by Charles Walters
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Debbie Reynolds, Ed Begley, Harve Presnell, Hermione Baddeley, Jack KruschenDirector: Charles Walters
Brand: REYNOLDS,DEBBIE
Cinematographer: Daniel L. Fapp
Editor: Fredric Steinkamp
Producer: Lawrence Weingarten
Producer: Roger Edens
Writer: Helen Deutsch
Writer: Richard Morris
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 128 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-09-19
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Movie Reviews of The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Movie Review: Debbie Reynolds' best film
Summary: 5 Stars
Many of us have considered "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" to be Debbie Reynolds' best film. It was first released in the summer of 1964 and was a big hit with audiences and critics, who recognized that it was a wonderful adaptation of Meredith Willson's Broadway musical. It was about the last musical made by MGM, where Debbie had made a number of musical films during the 1950's.
MGM, of course, had begun its slow decline, but this film is top-notch in many ways, despite reports that the studio had to cut a few corners in production, especially in the Titanic sequence, which heavily utilized stock footage from earlier films about the disaster. However, there was ample on-location filming in Colorado's spectacular mountain wilderness, giving the film a greater visual appeal than the original Broadway production.
Debbie's singing, dancing, and acting in the film is awesome. Her high-spirited performance earned her an Oscar nomination. She was quite successful in capturing the determined tomboy who will never give up in her pursuit of success. Her gradual transformation in the role is quite amazing, too. She is joined by an outstanding support cast, including excellent dancers and singers. It's really amazing to see veteran character actor Ed Begley, who plays Molly's father, singing and dancing in a film and doing remarkably well.
When the first was first released many of were introduced to Harve Presnell, who had starred with Tammy Grimes in the original Broadway production. Born in Modesto, California, in 1933, Presnell attended San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University) and distinguished himself not only in the school's musical and drama productions but through work in the San Franciso Opera's Merola Program. In 1960 Eugene Ormandy utilized Presnell as a baritone soloist in the landmark Columbia recording of Carl Orff's secular cantata "Carmina Burana."
Presnell might have had a big career in opera and concerts; instead, he utilized his talents on Broadway and in movies. He later turned to dramatic roles in Hollywood, including an important performance in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." In this film, however, he was still seemingly young and fresh, often showing a delightful innocence or naivete. However, he also displayed strength and determination that was equal to Debbie's performance of Molly. They were clearly well-suited to each other.
This is clearly a "rags-to-riches" story and the amazing thing is that it is based on truth. Thelma Ritter portrayed the same character in Twentieth Century Fox's 1953 production of "Titanic." This film tells the full story of how Molly Brown ended up in a lifeboat when the Titanic began to sink. It delightfully shows how Molly and her husband tried to become part of Denver society, after they struck it rich with the largest discovery of gold in Colorado history. Naturally, Molly's efforts to succeed and win acceptance create tensions with her husband, adding to the dramatic qualities of the story.
This is NOT just another Broadway musical comedy; Meredith Willson included far more drama than he had in his previous hit, "The Music Man." There are comic moments, of course, but the story has greater depth and this film is an excellent adaptation of the hit show. Sadly, Willson never equaled the success of "The Music Man" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."
Summary of The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Not only was Molly Brown unsinkable, so is the musical based on her amazing life. Released in 1964, The Unsinkable Molly Brown gave Debbie Reynolds one of her most memorable roles and earned her an Academy Award nomination (she lost to Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins). Paired with Harve Presnell, fresh from the Broadway version, Reynolds and Presnell sparkle as Molly and Johnny Brown, well-meaning but gauche nouveau millionaires who take on stuffy Denver society (who are loathe to admit that they are nouveau riche as well). During their Molly-guided quest for "respectability," the pair learns that old adage--all the money in the world can't buy happiness or contentment.From her beginnings as a foundling floating down the Colorado River to her fateful trip on the Titanic, Molly Brown aims upward, swearing "I Ain't Down Yet." Reynolds imbues her Molly with energy, determination, and poignancy. Molly feels every slight keenly and is convinced that more and bigger will make her place in society. Husband Johnny, who promised "I'll Never Say No," finds it harder and harder to keep his promise as he watches his wife's single-mindedness bury her effervescent personality. In the songs by Meredith Willson (The Music Man), Presnell's rich baritone soars on "Colorado, My Home" and begins a rousing "He's My Friend," while "Belly Up to the Bar, Boys" is a bawdy, catchy romp during which Reynolds shines--rollicking across the dance floor, she's a red-headed dynamo in a gauzy green dress. --Dana Van Nest
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