The Reluctant Widow (1950) Movie Review/Book Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ส.ค. 2024
- Time for another niche video. :) If you have read The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer and/or seen the 1950 adaptation that Heyer disliked so intensely that she refused to allow any more adaptations of her books to be made, even after her death... Well, have I got a video for you! Everyone else: I hope you still find this review/rant entertaining!
The film was uploaded to TH-cam by Kybeline and you can find it here: • The Reluctant Widow - ...
Thanks for checking out the video, and an extra special thank-you goes out to those of you who have supported the channel on Ko-fi!
ko-fi.com/weis...
One of my favorite things about your stuff is that when you give a review it's straight-up , honest! Letting the chips fall where they may, you will give a full review, even if it's something you don't care for( and remain polite about it) . Good job!
Thank you!
Georgette Heyer was asked to lunch at Buckingham Palace. Afterwards the Queen described her as "a formidable woman"!
I can believe it. :D
Entertaining as always, I remember you mentioning how much you enjoyed Georgette Heyer’s writing some time ago so decided to get one of her books and probably chose poorly because I went for one of her mystery titles over one of her romance stories, A Blunt Instrument, I did like it though and liked the way her characters interacted, the humour was fitting and felt natural. I haven’t yet read The Reluctant Widow or seen the film but your comparison was so insightful and funny, hopefully I’ll get a chance to read the book before seeing the film as I’m sure it would make it a bit more fun to be able to see the huge divergence in how each story was told. I respect Georgette Heyer so much for making the decision she did, apparently Hollywood hasn’t yet given up because a producer has been trying to get a version of The Grand Sophy made for a few years, i was curious if her decision included stage productions, it seems not as there has been some stage productions, unfortunately they don’t seem to have been filmed, hopefully one day, while searching TH-cam I noticed someone has recently uploaded BBC radio’s Faro’s Daughter.
~Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
Haha, well, the couple of mysteries I read by her I liked, so it wasn't a bad choice! I think they're reminiscent of Agatha Christie, who was her contemporary. Yes, I've heard rumors here and there over the years of different ones trying to get adaptations made. Honestly, I hope they never succeed. If a film was made by someone I trust, maybe it would be all right, but I'm not sure who I trust these days, and in the wrong hands, a Heyer adaptation could turn out very, very bad (at least from a fan's perspective).
If you do end up reading the book or watching the film, you'll have to let me know what you think! :)
I really like Georgette Heyer. It is nice to find someone ese who does. My favourite I think is Venetia. I think it is a shame in a way that there are no adaptations because I suspect we've missed out on some good BBC adaptations. Equally, if we're being all timey-wimey, it might have meant we didn't see some Austen adaptations because they'd make Heyer instead?
This book was my1st GH-book! I love this author!!
Hello Jerome,
Hope you’re doing well. Always enjoying a great review from you ☺️
Thanks!
@@Weiselberry God bless
As soon as you said Kathleen Byron, I thought of "Black Narcissus", the 1947 to see version. I would love see you review the movie. I really need to investigate G. Heyer, I'm interested in her books, but not the movie.
Ain’t Narcissus that playboi carti album???
Thanks for this neat movie review / book comparison video! 🙆♀️
It feels like the producers had another story on the desk but didn't have a title they liked, so they bought the book for the title.
,, I was once being unimaginative in a university library and re-reading my own copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, when I realized that the Narrator's Mother, was mentioned as reading Georgette Heyer on a French beach and I had no idea who the author was, but found that the library had a large selection,, I can shamefully say it was the first time I judged a book by its cover and although I had a quick flick, I thought,, nah-ah! ,, not for meeee!! ,, Maybe I should watch the Stephen King version of The Shining, cos I'm hoping on some topiary squirrels 🤔🐿️✨
I watched it recently but didn't know about its reputation. I vaguely remember thinking it was light, slightly enjoyable but also mostly meh because much of it made no sense. It doesn't resemble the book much, but few scripts seem to be all that true to the original source material anyway. I completely agree that this script made a hash of the plot.
Ouch, sorry to hear. If it’s any consolation I feel the same way towards Jurassic Park in terms of having a good story changed to a subpar experience. (Though Michael Crichton did get his wish; having his work adaptation aimed towards a younger audience since the publishers wanted more mature and gruesome experience)
Ooh, well, I'm not in the same boat with you on that one, since I love both the book and the film as separate entities without one taking away from my enjoyment of the other. But your sentiment is exactly the same disgruntled feeling I have toward this Reluctant Widow adaptation.
I've read some Georgette Heyer. Her works are light, frothy, and witty. Her characters are intelligent, and I can't imagine them behaving as stupidly as you describe in this movie. I guess you might say this as Heyeresque, a pastiche of Heyer, not actually Heyer.
Stephen Fry is a fan of Georgette Heyer.
I know what you mean about writer/directors but PL Travers & JK Rowling spring to mind.
I watched a few scenes from the 1950 film, but the quality was not good, and I couldn't hear the dialog clearly, even with ear phones at full volume! I think I would disagree about not wanting to have an adaptation done today, in that , with some of the BBC talent that brought so many Jane Austen films to light in the last twenty years, I would have liked to see it adapted for film, with strict attention to costumes, settings, dialog. Our loss.
Myeah. I haven't seen the film but its, erm, reputation precedes it. It sounds like an utter abomination, the screenwriters oblivious to what makes the novel work. Elinor Rochdale isn't just a governess; she's a lady reduced to penury by her father gambling away the family fortune. So there's this constant tension in the book between her innate pride and dignity - thus indignation at the farcical situation into which she's tumbled - and her acute social and economic vulnerability which hinders her from fleeing. Far from a ninny, she's intelligent, sensible and more than ready to challenge bad behaviour. Ned Carlyon, by contrast, is immensely competent and infuriatingly sure of himself, which creates this immediate friction between the two leads. There's just no need for additional romantic foils, love triangles or similar havey-cavey nonsense when the sexual tension and witty banter between them is so much fun. Similarly agree that the brotherly interactions are a highlight of the novel, they really help to soften the character of Carlyon by showing how much he cares for those around him. Omitting Bouncer, an hilarious character in his own right, is unforgivable.
It's a shame the movie was so awful. I've often thought that many of Heyer's novels would make terrific movies.
Idk how this showed up in my feed but I enjoyed this video a lot. Subbed!
Thank you!
Hi again J. This was a an enjoyable and thoughtful review/comparison. I love movies that address the tension between content creators and the people that film the creations; Saving Mr. Banks and Sunset Blvd come to mind. You wrote a script, way to go. I did a couple many years ago and they did see the light of day, but the response was blah. So that was that. At least I learned how to use scriptwriting software, which was an accomplishment by itself. As far as Widow, I think I'll avoid the film but may try the book, and maybe that one with old-timey balloons on the cover. : ) I wonder where the balloons went, must have been an adventure.
Oh, there's definitely a hot-air balloon adventure in Frederica! A lot of people consider that one a favorite, so it might be a good choice for a fun introduction to the kind of books Heyer wrote.
As always, a nice review, I'll have to look into the author. Keep up the good work :-)
I would love to hear more book to movie reviews. Maybe Portrait of Dorian Grey?
I wonder what you think of the recent adaptations of Sanditon or Around the World in 80 Days -- both of which appeared on PBS and took major deviations from the original source material.
Any interest/opinions Elinor Glyn?
It's been ages since I had read Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend". Have you reviewed the book and the 1964 Vincent Price film "The Last Man On Earth "? Matheson is firmly on record stating that he hated the movie, but I feel it was the best of the cinematic takes based on the literary material.
I don't know if you would call it a review or not, but I did make a couple comments about the book after I read it a few years ago (th-cam.com/video/aKZOT0HpWu8/w-d-xo.html ). I like The Last Man on Earth the best of the three adaptations, although The Omega Man, while it veers sharply from what Matheson wrote, is its own kind of fun. There are parts of I Am Legend I've seen multiple times, but I don't think I've ever watched the movie all the way through. It was also divergent and made some bizarre choices, but it isn't as wacky as The Omega Man. Perhaps that's to its detriment, as it ends up being kind of forgettable. Of the three, The Last Man on Earth is arguably still the closest to its source, plus it's an entertaining sci-fi classic and a must-see for any Vincent Price fan.
@@Weiselberry There is an uncomfortable weariness in Vincent Price's version. I often equated it to the 1980s Dunkin Donuts series of commercials th-cam.com/video/f2AGc70Eq9k/w-d-xo.html
I found the overwhelming monotony of existence in Price's portrayal to be it's own kind of horror. There is no sense of nobility or righteousness in the character's life. He seeks to summon purpose with the slimmest meaning for continuing survival. Price harnesses the feeling of working a dead end job (pun intended) with no hope for advancement and no appreciation.
It's kind of amazing that "The Last Man on Earth" quietly ushered in the entire modern zombie mythos by inspiring George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead". I await your analysis of both the book and movie(s). 🙂
[EDIT: A few episodes from The Twilight Zone affected me greatly as a child. The obvious was "Walking Distance" which taught me to appreciate my childhood before it was gone. A passage from "Long Live Walter Jameson" had also adhered to my consciousness.
SAM: "I thought if a man lived forever, he'd grow wiser. But that isn't true, is it?"
WALTER: "You just go on living. That's all."]
The Wrath Of Weiselberry. I love a good rant! :D But surely the film can't be that bad, can it? Surely not.....
Well I'm half an hour in and I have no idea what's going on. Maybe I blacked out early on. Tell me again why did she agree to marry a dying man?
Hahaha, yes, that part is pretty vague in the film. The camera lingers on her face for a moment as she looks at the dying man, and her dominant emotion seems to be pity. I guess that's what moves her to agree to do it, her resolve evidenced by her removal of her pelisse (outer garment). Maybe. That's how I interpreted it, at least. In the book, it all happens in a whirlwind and the whole time she's thinking that she can't believe she's actually letting Carlyon convince her to do this crazy thing. But there's a lot more argument over the pros and cons. The promise of financial security goes a long way toward sweetening the deal; it would mean she doesn't have to work anymore, she could regain the way of life she was accustomed to before her father lost everything and killed himself, and she'd have a position of independence and respect (even if her dead husband was a disreputable character).
@@Weiselberry I see. That makes sense. All of that is missing in the movie and as a consequence the rest of the movie makes no sense. Actually, what makes even less sense is why she lets someone she doesn't know lead her around like a puppy but I think that is a different debate. What struck me in that first half hour, and I think you alluded to this, is that the movie seems torn between a period drama and a proto-Carry On movie.
I'm curious how you feel about the screen adaptation of Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead" (1949). Ayn Rand has/had a strong cult like following. Fans seem to be very forgiving of the film, but novices tend to cringe watching the movie. I'm in the latter camp.
I don't have any opinion on the subject. Because it's controversial, and because of the nature of the controversy, don't look for me to get into it here anytime in the foreseeable future.
@@Weiselberry Understood. You have a permanent and regularly updated forum so I can see wanting to minimize ideological controversies. My stance was purely based on cinematic aesthetics and not on social commentary. The same approach I take with "guilty pleasure" movies where I can separate the idea from the execution with ease.
The Reluctant Adaptation.Your review went up.I thought.I'll watch the film.It was the quicker option.
I don't like to comment empty handed.It worked well for me last week.If I had watched this first.I probably
would not have bothered.You tore the movie up.The thing is.I thought.....it was.....okay.I have nothing to compare
it too.I have not read Georgette Heyer.I would like to remedy that at some point.Anything that has the Weiselberry
stamp of approval is worth checking out in my book.The film was brisk and lively.A little hard to keep up with.
You have clearly illustrated why you were not impressed.It sounds like they read a synopsis of the novel.
Barely remembered that.Then threw in a bunch of popular tropes from costume dramas of the day.
Guy Rolfe.I remember him from Dolls 1987.I liked Scott Forbes as the villain.He gave me Christopher Plummer vibes.
I don't know why?A bad adaptation motivates people to read the book more than a good adaptation.
I had this faint hope.That a team of talented actors would purloin the 12th grade Weiselberry,Heyer screenplay.
Then film their performed stage reading.This would be uploaded onto TH-cam.Then promptly removed.
But I would get to see it.Is it wrong of me to want this?
Everything has a statue of limitations.The Heyer body of work may one day end up in the public domain.
Hopefully the next someone will do the books justice.I really enjoyed this video.Thank you.
You turn up at the wrong address.All kinds of trouble follows.And what is it about hiring on as a governess?
Can't anyone ever find a well adjusted family.Did anyone ever write a series of governess detective novels?
There is so much mystery to uncover in these old mansions and their inhabitants.
The Oscars are on soon.Do they interest you?
Ha, well, that happened. I'm actually glad that you thought it was okay, though, and not a complete waste of time. It's not an absolutely atrocious film on its own. Like I said, I definitely did not (and could not) approach it as I would your average movie, so it's interesting to hear the perspective of someone who did.
You could be right that the writers came up with a script after only reading a plot summary or skimming the book. I don't know how the script came into existence, but I've heard of cases where that happened, especially if a producer had already decided on the next project and commissioned a writer to whip up a script to fit. I would think it an unspoken rule that in order to adapt a screenplay from a novel, you must read the novel, but there isn't always time, and even then writers decide to change things for one reason or another.
I'm not sure there are any governess detective novels. Mysteries, yes, but I can't think of any where the governess herself turns detective and solves the crime, unless there's something obvious I'm forgetting...
Nah, I don't watch the Oscars and haven't for several years.
@@Weiselberry Sometimes it can help to watch a film without any baggage.I have seen my
perspective change on the films Ghost Story and The Legend of Hell House after reading the
novels and seeing really good plot elements that were not used.I got frustrated at I Am Legend
because it barely followed the Richard Matheson novella.Which I thought could be adapted quite
easily.Some film makers just want to go their own way with a good story.
I started looking in to Georgette Heyer.She seemed like a very private person who made no efforts
to publicize her works.She must have been about 18 or 19 when she published her first book.
I would like to use her term "Making a cake of myself."I feel like I do that a lot in this comments
section.You have provided some good title recommendations in your previous Heyer book
collection video.That gives me a good starting point.
There must be some governess detective novels out there.I always work under the assumption
that if I can think of something.Someone else got there first.I can see a boy hire a governess
to help him find his missing pet owl.Which has gone into hiding after seeing too much one night.....
I was going to talk about the Oscars but.....I don't want to make a cake of myself.
Thank you.
You should review the Ultra Series Jerome
here's the series
th-cam.com/play/PLT7obiC2E-oBY9P-R_lUOBlSvJNrMaaJU.html
First! 😀
aw jeolous
@@taanielherberger-brown5198 😁you might be the first one on her next video
@@heroesandkaijutokusatsucha4968 h maybenxt time:)
React to “I Hate Youngboy” by NBA Youngboy
You're cute great review