Movie Reviewed: A Royal Scandal, starring Tallulah Bankhead
The Forbidden Paradise
This is a true classic film starring Tallulah Bankhead as the Russian Empress, Catherine the Great, and directed by Ernst Lubitsch. The film was based on the play “Die Zarin” (The Czarina) by Lajos Bíró and Melchior Lengyel in which the Russian empress falls in love with a young lieutenant named Alexei Chernoff, and later she appoints him as the Chief of the Imperial Guard. This film is remake of the silent movie, “Forbidden Paradise” (1924), also directed by Lubitsch, and starred Pola Negri as Catherine the Great.
Tallulah Bankhead in the leading role is simple great. Her deep voice is well suited in her seduction scenes with sixteen years younger Chernoff, played by William Eythe. Bankhead's costumes are fabulous and the jewelry exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed this film which has that “Lubitsch touch.” In supporting roles, Charles Coburn and Anne Baxter offer splendid performances. This is a true gem and I highly recommend it.
No comments:
Post a Comment