Speak Low I came across this movie by accident. It was interesting that this film starred Ava Gardner, one of the most beautiful actresses of classical Hollywood, and the fact that the film was a musical – as far as I know, in Gardner’s career, this genre can not be called permanent, like Judy Garland or Jane Powell. And since in this film, in addition to the musical, such genres as comedy, melodrama and fantasy are combined, as the annotation for the film reads, I decided not to pass by.
The plot is as follows: Eddie Hatch, an artist-decorator, is tasked with correcting the consuming curtain in front of the statue of Venus. After drinking champagne, forgotten on the ladder by his boss, he kissed the statue. And it came to life! Then begins a whole series of funny adventures, which I will talk about, perhaps I will not be more interesting for you to watch this beautiful film.
Personally, I liked the picture, I have already watched it several times, and I can say one thing - a great movie for a good mood! Now briefly about the actors.
Robert Walker perfectly played a modest, but very sweet and funny Eddie Hatch, it was funny to watch many gags with his participation. I remember this actor from the musical “While the clouds swim” and the legendary thriller Alfred Hitchcock “Strangers on the train”. Unfortunately, he will be gone a few months after the last film, in 1951, but I will remember him from these three films.
Ava Gardner is a true goddess, in this film she is still at the peak of her career. The real success will be in the 50s. In the film, her character sings, which I was surprised to see, as I had never seen Gardner sing in a movie before (I mean the actual musical number, not the raucous humming in Killers). Although here her singing is duplicated by Eileen Wilson (a beautiful voice, by the way), this impression of the film does not spoil. The actress moves and dances quite decently, besides, in this film with her participation, there were also several funny moments. In short, she played perfectly, it is a pity that in her career there are so few musical films and comedies.
Dick Hames - played a friend of the main character, in love with his bride. A banal movie moment. The role is almost colorless, although it probably was intended, but when he sings - you can't say anything - BRAVO!
Yves Arden is still popular due to a number of secondary roles in Hollywood in the 30s-50s, as well as two parts of the musical “Grease”. In this film, she plays the role of the secretary of the boss of the main character and brings a lot of sharpness to this film.
Olga San Juan - plays the role of the bride of the main character, and marrying him has already become an idefix for her. As Hatch says, “One wrong move and I’ll have a honeymoon.” Played well. Sings beautifully when it does not take low notes.
The other actors also play well. The film has only 4 musical numbers, which is too small for a musical, but each number lasts from 3 to 5 minutes. The music in the film is nice and I liked the song ‘Speak Low’ the most. In addition, the film has a very small timing - 1 hour 19 minutes, which explains the small number of musical numbers in it.
Fantasy is a genre that fits the 1948 film, but in 2013 it would have been disputed. What is meant by this genre in the film is not difficult to guess, but there are no visible special effects in the film. I’m not a fan of modern science fiction with an overload of special effects, but the 1947 film From Heaven to Earth with Rita Hayworth in the same genres as this film is a little more spectacular, including in terms of special effects.
In general, a very pleasant picture to view on cold winter evenings, very warm and warm. The film is well deserved.
8 out of 10