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peter-meunier
Reviews
Helter Skelter (1949)
Riotous comedy
This is a riotous and sometimes chaotic comedy that was probability years ahead of its time. The story is a straightforward romantic comedy about a woman who can't cure her hiccoughs, she is told that a fright will cure her ills so she visits a haunted house.
However what differentiates this film from comedies of this time is that it is littered with cameo roles from some of the all times greats of British film comedy.... Terry-Thomas, Wilfred Hyde-White, Jimmy Edwards and Jon Pertwee (twice) to name a few.
This film is directed by Ralph Thomas of the 'Doctor' films and it is easy to see many parallels with those classic movies.
The Astonished Heart (1950)
A Coward Classic
I had not seen or heard of this film before watching it on DVD. I found it compelling and easy to watch. In some ways reminiscent of Brief Encounter with the story of forbidden love and the sadness that this can only lead to.
The film is an adaption of a play written by Coward himself and is done so with great British precision. The scenery and the stiffness of the dialogue are reminiscent of the post war period where those wealthy enough enjoyed a comfortable life with cocktails, dancing and for some infidelity the order of the day.
Despite being happily married for a number of year Coward's character, Dr Christian Faber is influenced by a case from his psychiatrists practice. A story of forbidden love!! This can only lead to heartache, pain and much more as the adulterous affair he embarks on can only lead to tragedy!!