Burt Lancaster had to have been the worst actor of his generation and this is quite possibly his worst role. Completely un-watchable. Was there anyone worse, because I'd like to see it.
give me a stage where this bull here can rage and though I can fight I'd much rather recite.
I bet what you hated about his performance was intentional. The character he plays is supposed to be a bit off. Serafina says many times he has the body of her husband and the face of a clown. She is also baffled how much she's attracted to him given all the strikes against him.
He's poor, unemployed, unattractive, loud, obnoxious, has three dependents, puts his hands on her, smells like a goat, attracts attention, etc. She prided herself on being married to a baron, he says the only reason he's alive is because his grandfather forced himself on his grandmother after knocking her over.
I guess it's the triumph of love. She made a connection with this guy who could not be more different than her beloved, revered husband. He shows her how to live again, perhaps for the first time. She worshiped and adored her husband even after death but he had been cheating on her, involved in illegal activity, and never really appreciated her complete devotion to him.
Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]
Highly disagree. He was just not playing a typical Lancaster role but pulled it off. He was so comical talking so fast trying to get Syrafina to like him. Superb actor ie. Bird man Of Alcatraz, Elmer Gantry, Come Back Little Sheba and From Here To Eternity. Let's not forget that little social film A Child Is Waiting.
shareBurt L. one of my FAV actors of the 1940s-1960s era of Hollywood. Elmer Gantry was my FAV movie by him.
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