GRUMPY is now an underrated film. It was George Cukor's first film as a dialogue director. It's a combination of an American production with first-class English acting and speaking. There's an entire absence of American accent. Cyril Maude is at his best in the role that he made famous in the stage play (in four acts). This film has the addition of a few scenes that could not be given on the legitimate stage. The film is rather static and stage-bound but nevertheless very entertaining. Cyril Maude makes of Grumpy a magnetic personality. Also good acting by Frances Dade and the excellent Phillips Holmes. Very funny dialogues.
The film survives intact and was shown at the George Cukor Retrospective in London in 2004 and at Lincoln Center in 2013. However, the film is curently only available on poor quality (DVD) transfers. I am hoping for a release in the Warner Archive Collection with their top-notch print quality DVD's.
The film survives intact and was shown at the George Cukor Retrospective in London in 2004 and at Lincoln Center in 2013. However, the film is curently only available on poor quality (DVD) transfers. I am hoping for a release in the Warner Archive Collection with their top-notch print quality DVD's.