6/10
1953
An Otto Preminger Film
Protagonist(s): William Holden, Maggie McNamara, David Niven
Antagonist(s): Dawn Addams, Tom Tully
Run-time: 1 hour 39 minutes
When a man and a woman meet at the Empire State Building, a strange attraction arises and a full day of romantic misunderstandings follows.
In its day the film was condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency, and banned in several states for its free use of provocative language and suggestions of the bedroom variety. It is even released with a note that it is not to be seen by anyone under the age of sixteen.
While I can see how some might find the repeated use of the words 'sex' and 'virgin' provocative, and the suggestion that slapping a woman across the behind with a warm muffin pan is deserved, I found the majority of the film to be so dull and innocent that even Winnie the Pooh cartoons would be preferred.
As for myself, I was clued to the existence of this film through 'M*A*S*H' the television series. Curiosity finally got the better of me.
The plot is fairly straight forward; man meets woman, pursuit, misunderstandings, redemption, and happy ending. But most of the film is composed of dialogue and opinions, which might have been well enough for the fifties, but which would have the audience rush to get their money back or write scathing reviews online. The acting talent is well enough, though the manner of speech seems rather high brow for a poor girl from Brooklyn.
I recommend this film if you feel like having the sound of talking running in the background, as that is what happens most in this film.
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