‘Charade (1963)’ is a hybrid-movie ‘par excellence’ and was directed by Stanley Donen. This flick proves that the genres crime, thriller, comedy, romance and mystery can work very well together, if the plot and acting is on-point. Many fans call it “The best Hitchcock which he didn´t direct.” So many twists and turns. Fast chasing scenes. No one seems to be as they are. Sometimes it feels a bit like watching ‘North by Northwest (1959).’ On the final day of the year, I present a quick cast check and rating of a movie, which deserves more attention. Classic Movie Ratings wishes you a great New Year´s Eve 2022 and a Happy New Year 2023!
The age difference between Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, while making ‘Charade (1963),’ is exactly a quarter of a century. Sounds like a big gap? Not for Grant. He had female co-stars which were younger than Audrey, like Sophia Loren in ‘Houseboat (1958)’ (30 years age difference) or Jayne Mansfield in ‘Kiss Them for Me (1958)’ (29 years age difference.) Hepburn plays Regina ‘Reggie’ Lampert, which got mixed up with a lot of dangerous people, after the death of her husband. Peter Joshua´s motives stay unclear for a long time. Is Grant´s character a good one or a villain?
Hamilton Bartholomew works for the CIA. Walter Matthau plays him with the right dose of humor and quirkiness. It turns out that Bartholomew´s past catches on with him. A dark and tragic past …
George Kennedy is a versatile actor. He proves this once again in ‘Charade (1963).’ Crazy guy Herman Scobie belongs to the extraordinary trio, whose intention is to retrieve Charles Lambert´s fortune. Or in other words: The money from Reggie’ Lambert´s (Audrey Hepburn) deceased husband …
Tex Panthollow has it´s own agenda. Or not? My favorite performance of James Coburn, besides this one, is the role of Britt as part of ‘The Magnificent Seven (1960).’
Ned Glass´ long career as an actor goes way back into the 1930s. Leopold W. Gideon is an old slimy guy who wants to get his hands on even dirtier money.
Rating:
‘Charade (1963)’ reached the ‘Breathless Heights‘ on the ‘Rating Mountain:‘
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One Response
I like this movie. It’s the last movie with Cary Grant so it was awesome to watch. Very laid back calm and collected. I have this movie in my collection and tell everyone I know about it. Out of 10 I give it an 8.