I dunno, when watching this film, I just didn't get the feeling that there was any..."chemistry" (for want of another word) between the three leads. It didn't spoil the film or anything, but there was just no rapor, no "chumminess" between them.
And where the hell was the Curtiz shadow?!
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"I'm vilifying you for God's sake - pay attention!"
oh come on!!!! you are lost, not the cast here...there was FANTASTIC chemistry, unbelieveable rapor...........they played their roles perfectly....man, you need vision dude! every character was played to the hilt, hard to ignore anyone..........
shareWow - I just watched this film (finally) and I came here to see what other people thought of it. I was amazed to see this post, because after watching it I thought too bad they couldn't have made more movies together, or maybe a sequel. I thought the film and the leads were great!
sharethey don't have three stooges chemistry nor are they jackass kinda guys.
They are friends more along the lines of "The Road Movies" with Hope and Crosby.
Its more understated and genuine, not like the buddy movie friendships of today that have to spell it out otherwise the audience doesn't get it.
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I agree with the OP completely. No chemistry at all. They were talking past each other, as if the other character wasn't really there but had been superimposed later, like animations. The whole film didn't work for me and this was one of the many reasons.
For those who can see any chemistry, I'd be interested to hear of some specific examples.
I disagree completely! They don't talk over each other, they have the same thoughts and finish each others sentences as old married couples do. Perhaps you're expecting the slap on the back buddy movies of recent era & not the understated acting in this classic. This movie weaves together gestures, facial expressions, following the others lead in actions & verbal ping pong and prison stories that come across giving us a complete picture of camaraderie. Understated perhaps but some great chemistry! The more I watch it the more I see. I invite you to view it again with an open mind.
shareThe weak link in the trio was Aldo Ray, who was clearly too naturalistic and unaffected an actor to play such an artificial, theatrical role. Humphrey Bogart and especially Peter Ustinov knew how to play their parts, but Ray looks uncomfortable.
Recasting Ray's part might have helped a little, but I doubt that anything could have saved this movie for me. Murderers and thieves are fine by me, but adorable, matchmaking murderers and thieves in a cutesy Christmas story are just too precious to stomach.
...Justin
Hey folks,
To J. Spurlin's comments about not caring for "adorable" murderers and thieves, I would point out that "Arsenic and Old Lace" was originally intended by its author to be a heavy drama. Along the way to Broadway, it was rewritten into its black comedy format, and the comedy was even more emphasized in the film version.
J. Spurlin has every reason to his own thoughts and ideas as he noted for this film. I, however, think the whole cast was excellent, and I think Ray, Bogart, and Ustinov worked quite well together. I was a "believer" in the story and enjoyed every minute of it.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
I agree completely!
People forget how many times we root for the baddies because they're the underdog.
I do remember hearing or reading somewhere that Aldo Ray and Bogart didn't get on so well, due to differences in how they approached their craft. Ustinov, from an interview he did about 15 or so years ago, said that the experience of filming it was like any other, that Bogart didn't come across as "Mister Hollywood Legend", but was behaved as an actor doing his work. He didn't mention having any difficulties at all working with Bogart or Ray, but he was young and rather new to Hollywood, being British and his father in either MI5 or 6, I think, and preferring his son to become an actor than follow him into spying.
The chemistry on screen always worked for me though.
This is my favorite Christmas movie hands down & one major reason is how wonderfully the 3 actors played off each other. If you'd watch it again pay attention to the great expressions they have when not speaking. One of my favorites is when Bogart has on the pink apron on in the kitchen, around 38 minutes in to film! To me they show their friendship is strong having known one another in prison. I can easily picture the little stories they tell of life together on Devil's Island. I go a step further in thinking that they had to have each other to escape the inescapable island, their sanity intact through their commandery. If I can get that from their performances then they indeed have a chemistry! They remind me of classic acting teams like Bing & Hope, but with only one film as "mates". My opinion is you should watch it again and look for the great facial expressions amongst other things you missed. Hopefully you'll have a change in your opinion!
shareI agree with you, smcbee27! This is one of my favorite movies and I love the characters! And for those who don't have Spell Check, the word you are looking for is "RAPPORT."
shareWhat a bewildering comment.
Truly.
Everyone's chemistry was superb, all playing off each other so naturally.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
A very entertaining film with the 3 leads putting in delightful performances, especially tough guys Bogie, in the kitchen and Aldo handing out relationship advice.
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