Cary & Audrey Bring Charisma to “Charade” 1963

 

Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn charm in 1963's suspense-comedy "Charade."

 The Stanley Donen comedy-suspense film Charade was filmed late ‘62/ early ‘63, and released for 1963's Christmas holidays. At age 65, my first time watching Charade was during 2024’s Christmas holidays, and I’ve been watching classic movies since I was in my early teens!

My impression had always been that Charade was a bland version of Alfred Hitchcock, so I'd just watch North by Northwest for the millionth time. This is especially inexplicable even to me, because I enjoy Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn a great deal. I’m so glad I corrected my Charade situation.

Once again, Cary Grant is the charming stranger, in 1963's "Charade."
Should Audrey Hepburn's heroine trust him?

Charade really is like Hitchcock’s more mainstream works because there are none of the emotional undercurrents that often suffuse Hitch's more serious work. I’d compare the mix of suspense, romance, and comedy along the lines of Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest. Likewise, Charade is smart entertainment. Much of this is due to director Stanley Donen, one of the best for grown-up entertainment. Donen’s humor and intelligence made him versatile in musicals, comedy, and drama. In Charade, Donen brings all the ingredients of this cinematic confection together beautifully. Peter Stone got his first screenwriter credit at 33 from his own story, and it’s quite smart, leading to an association with director Donen. Also, Stone had a solid career in film, on television and stage, winning an Oscar, Emmy, and two Tony awards.

Here's a Hitchcock-esque shot from Stanley Donen's 1963's "Charade." Definitely in
 the Hitch style, Donen does a fine job mixing suspense, comedy, and romance.

I knew right from the start I should have watched Charade eons ago. The opening titles are by Maurice Binder, famed for his 16 opening titles for the James Bond film series, starting with the first, Doctor No. The colorful graphics would make Hitch fave Saul Bass green with envy. The insinuating score is by Henry Mancini, a subtle contrast to Bernard Herrmann’s booming scores for Hitch. 18-time Oscar nominee Charles Lang supplies the glamorous cinematography of the stars and locales.

I love this romantic shot of Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn in 1963's "Charade."

Charade’s opening scene shows a dead body dispatched from a moving train. That would be Charles Lampert, estranged husband of Audrey Hepburn’s “Reggie.” When we first meet her at a ski resort, she doesn't know yet. What Reggie does know is that her marriage is over. She meets cute with mystery man Cary Grant, who introduces himself as Peter Joshua. Not so cute is when Reggie returns home and finds it emptied of all belongings. Then Cary shows up again, very much the Hitchcock mystery man, who finds her a modest hotel. And there are three men also in residence, who feel she has money from her hubby that is due to them. And they aren't nice about it: Ned Glass is Gideon; James Coburn is Tex; and George Kennedy plays Scobie. They are former WWII soldiers, who want their share of money from absconded war time gold that Charles cheated from them. A fourth man, Carson Dyle, was wounded and left for dead at the time. Soon after, Walter Matthau is introduced as a CIA administrator, who also wants the money, as it belonged to the US OSS.

James Coburn, as bad guy Tex, who just has a revelation, in 1963's "Charade."

Walter Matthau with the CIA? In "Charade," most of the characters don't even know
 what the agency stands for. Such innocent times!

Reggie doesn't have the money, but the thugs don't believe her. Cary's character’s identity changes practically scene by scene, and Audrey’s widow doesn't know whether to believe him or not. There are a number of alternately thrilling scenes and amusing moments, which leads to a genuinely suspenseful climax. The real villain is no surprise, but that's not Charade is really about—it’s the ride, not the destination.

Audrey Hepburn's widow gets an eyeful about her husband's past,
in 1963's "Charade."

Audrey Hepburn is most endearing as the beleaguered heroine. Audrey is amusing in her exaggerated reactions to the extreme situations, warm in her attraction to Grant’s mysterious stranger, and natural in her dramatic moments. It takes subtle skills to go from the various moods this type of movie offers. Hepburn also embodies flawless early ‘60s style here: stylized hair and makeup, plus simply chic clothes by Hubert de Givenchy. The look is ultimately timeless and Audrey puts the glamour girls of today in the shade. A running gag in Charade is when famously thin Audrey’s heroine is anxious, she starts eating! Hepburn would reunite with director Donen in one of their best films, 1967’s Two for the Road.

Audrey Hepburn's look is timeless in 1963's "Charade."

There are moments that foreshadow Hepburn’s 1967’s Wait Until Dark. Like when the thugs torment her, especially James Coburn’s Tex, as he accosts her with lit matches in a phone booth. Or characters who misrepresent themselves to Audrey’s trusting character. Reggie drolly wonders if her husband’s tooth powder is actually heroin, a substance that was a strong plot point in Dark.

Audrey Hepburn gets a rehearsal for the torment to come, in 1967's "Wait Until Dark."
Here, James Coburn is the villain terrorizing Hepburn, in 1963's "Charade."

There’s been criticism of Cary Grant as too old for the role opposite Audrey. Well, 60 at Charade's release, he was. But he was also perhaps the best preserved male star of his era. Grant's tan, lean, and stylish. Look at the three big male stars that have just passed 60 in recent years: Depp, Cruise, and Pitt. Cary Grant is in better form than any of them, in my opinion. I think that Cary Grant has great chemistry with Audrey Hepburn in Charade. Cary had more in common with Audrey than he did with Doris Day in the previous year’s That Touch of Mink. Grant’s role in Charade is as perfectly tailored to his persona as his suits. Grant is most cool and charming. But the role also gives him some humorous moments to off-set Cary’s aloofness.

To me, Cary Grant looks like a million at 60, when 1963's "Charade" was released.

It's interesting that James Coburn, Arthur Kennedy, and Walter Matthau play supporting roles here. They are all quite good, no doubt. And soon movie stars like Grant and Hepburn would be obsolete; Cary and Audrey would soon retire. And realistic actors like the first three would become big stars—for a while. Of the trio, Walter would retain his star status. Coburn would later play villains, and Kennedy character roles, after the “realistic” trend of late ‘60s and early ‘70s played out.

George Kennedy & Cary Grant: '60s realism meets 60-year-old classic leading man.
1963's "Charade."

Charade is like a snapshot of an era, when “Camelot” at its peak, with some shots of stars Grant and Hepburn giving off a Jack and Jackie Kennedy vibe. Actually, the film icons made their style imprint first. Anyway, after 1963, life and movies became increasingly realistic and less romantic than the charming Charade.

Cary Grant & Audrey Hepburn give off a JFK & Jackie vibe here, stylish & classy,
in 1963's romantic suspense comedy, "Charade."

Here’s Cary Grant, in one of his and Hitchcock’s best, my take on 1959’s North by Northwest: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2020/08/north-by-northwest-1959.html

And here’s one of Audrey Hepburn’s latter day best, my look at 1967’s Wait Until Dark: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2022/10/wait-until-dark-slick-thrills-stellar.html

 

Rat Pack Mythology Overshadows ‘Ocean’s 11’ 1960

 

Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, & Sammy Davis, Jr. are the key players
 in 1960's heist film, "Ocean's 11."

There's much heavyweight Hollywood talent involved in the lightweight 1960 version of Ocean’s 11.

Right at the start—and closing—legendary Saul Bass designed the Vegas-bright opening titles for Ocean’s 11. Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front) directed but really played traffic cop for the Rat Pack. Ocean’s 11 was a cakewalk compared to directing Marlon Brando in the notorious 1962 remake of Mutiny on the Bounty, Milestone's last feature film. William H. Daniels, who photographed nearly all of Garbo’s films, and 10 of Frank Sinatra’s from the late ‘50s through the ‘60s, contributed the stylish cinematography; Sinatra fave Nelson Riddle composed the lively score. 

Saul Bass created the neon bright titles for 1960's "Ocean's 11."

Then there were “The Three Crooners.” Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. were all iconic singers who could act and had a flair for comedy. And Peter Lawford provides the class as their wartime pal. This all helps the high-concept plot immensely. The pitch: WWII soldier pals reunite to knock over five Las Vegas hotels on New Year’s Eve and win big.

These five hotel/casinos are the New Year's Eve targets of the "Ocean's 11," from 1960.

An admirable plus about this movie is that it shows mega star Sinatra's generosity toward other performers. Dean and Sammy get musical numbers, plus a reprise, yet Sinatra doesn't sing a note. Most stars would demand equal time.

Ocean's 11 is unique because it represents a moment in time, much like the previous year's Pillow Talk. Both films were huge hits and a zeitgeist. Pillow Talk caught the wave of sex comedies with its iconic stars and is remembered as the prime example of the genre. And Ocean's 11 snapped the Rat Pack/Las Vegas era at its absolute peak. And yet, by the early '60s, both sex comedies and Rat Pack antics were already becoming passé. Each year of the '60s was like dog years in United States’ society. In the case of the Rat Pack, Marilyn's death, Frank falling out with the Kennedys and dumping Lawford, JFK’s assassination, the Beatles invasion, etc. all made these 40-something guys look increasingly irrelevant. Yes, Rat Pack fans will die on that sword that they were eternally cool cats. But seeing middle-aged men booze, chain smoke, chase broads, and making like frat boys got old really fast. Burt Reynolds did the same thing in the '70s with his hillbilly version of the Rat Pack, with all those car chase comedies and corny cop movies.

Frank Sinatra, far left in his favorite color orange, is Danny Ocean. The other 10 guys 
make up the "Ocean's 11," in this 1960 heist caper.

The surprise of Ocean's 11 is that while it is smoothly made, it's not very snappy, clocking in at a leisurely 2 hour and 8 minute movie. The “humorous” dialogue, supposedly improved by these real life pals, wasn't very funny or witty, even for its time. The lightly sexist, racist dialogue didn't bother me that much, as I know this came from 40-something men in 1960, more of an eye roll.

Laid back Dean Martin, with pal Frank Sinatra, who gives the look of when
he's been crossed, in 1960's "Ocean's 11."

Another drag is that it takes an hour just to introduce all the characters. They are not all that interesting, as written. While the stars are all charismatic, it feels like they are on autopilot. It's been said that the three crooners, plus Bishop and Lawford, performed in Vegas at night and made this movie during the day. If so, it shows. And you can practically smell the second hand smoke just from watching Ocean’s 11. The last half of the movie is setting up the heist and its outcome.

The main stars of 1960's "Ocean's 11" played on stage at night and before the cameras
 during the day, which may explain the laid back performances.

Frank is understated here. Dean offers his deadpan humor. Sammy is energetic and gets a great music number that echoes through Ocean’s 11. Peter as the charming waster has always left me cold, but he does well enough here. 

All the world's a stage for Sammy Davis, Jr. as a singer/trash collector,
in 1960's comedic heist, "Ocean's 11."

Interesting that Sinatra fave Richard Conte ended up in The Godfather. Hope Frank didn’t hold that against him! And that Henry Silva always creeped me out after first seeing him in 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate.

One dud is Joey Bishop, who I always thought was the cliché of the unfunny Vegas comedian, and here he’s just as flat a film performer. A shame the film starts with Joey carrying the ball. His deadpan, hangdog demeanor reminds me of Norman Fell, who’s also in the film!

Joey Bishop, far left, uses his deadpan expression to convey the rest of his gang's
 feelings at the funeral finale of 1960's "Ocean's 11."

The real surprise is that Angie Dickinson is barely in Ocean’s 11. The then-rising starlet appears in the opening as Frank's ex-wife. She has a long scene with Dean Martin, who wants them to reconcile. Angie has a second scene with Sinatra, sporting a nifty chemistry; what a shame they didn't equally co-star in a film. That's it—except for a brief scene on the phone with Sinatra's most recent dame, which could have easily been cut in this overlong movie. The women in this movie are made up and coiffed like mannequins, a Vegas version of The Stepford Wives. 

Frank Sinatra as Danny Ocean & Angie Dickinson as Bea, his ex-wife,
in 1960's "Ocean's 11."

There's a great cast of supporting actors who give Ocean’s 11 some oomph, though they’re typecast: Cesar Romero, Richard Conte, George Raft, Ilka Chase, Patrice Wymore, etc. There are a couple of unfunny, unbilled cameos that last nearly as long as Angie Dickinson’s scenes: Red Skelton as himself, futilely trying to get his credit extended. Shirley MacLaine appears as a drunk. Both scenes meander, add nothing to this lengthy film, and could easily have been cut.

Ocean's 11 is the forerunner to the heist movie set at Christmas, like Die Hard. And the film's climax is at New Year's, when they pull off the heist. Of course human frailty and error fouls the perfect crime, with a twist ending.

That final scene, with Danny Ocean's crew walking away, is the Rat Pack so effortlessly cool. The finale is more than a bit bittersweet, when you think of the legends in their ensuing years, walking away here at their zenith. The ending’s morale is literally that you can't take it with you. And Rat Pack leads Sinatra, Martin, Davis, and Lawford all lost a lot in their last years. In 1960’s Ocean’s 11, the stars are captured at their peak, for posterity.

The bittersweet finale of 1960's "Ocean's 11."

Here’s a very entertaining melodrama featuring several of the Rat Pack, 1958’s Some Came Running. My look here:

https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2019/04/stellar-cast-helps-some-came-running-go.html

Frank Sinatra & Peter Lawford were the best of friends when they made
1960's "Ocean's 11." 

When ‘Columbo’ Starred with Two Film Divas

 

Peter Falk's "Columbo" investigated two film stars who resorted to murder in
 "Requiem for a Falling Star" & "Forgotten Lady, with Anne Baxter & Janet Leigh.

 

This is a round-up of when the rumpled TV detective starred with two one-time screen goddesses in classic Columbo episodes.

Anne Baxter's Nora Chandler finds Peter Falk's Columbo amusing--to a point!

The episodes: Requiem for a Falling Star, the Columbo episode that first aired January 21, 1973, was directed by Richard Quine, who was good with actors and had a flair for humor. This season two episode showcases Anne Baxter as “fading” leading lady Nora Chandler, who will kill to preserve her career. Mel Ferrer is Baxter's snarky nemesis, with echoes of Addison DeWitt from All About Eve. Pippa Scott is the star’s assistant, about to marry this arch enemy! Costume designer Edith Head, who worked with Baxter many times, most famously in The Ten Commandments, makes an appearance as herself. 

Janet Leigh's Grace Wheeler may be one of Columbo's most gentle suspects!

Forgotten Lady, the other deadly film diva Columbo episode, was directed by TV and film veteran Harvey Hart, also very good with actors. The season five premiere aired September 14, 1975. Janet Leigh guest stars as movie musical star Grace Wheeler, John Payne as one-time partner Ned Diamond, and Sam Jaffe as her older husband, Dr. Henry Willis. Maurice Evans is the butler, Raymond.

 The Set-Up: Female guest villains Anne Baxter and Janet Leigh are both mature movie stars, with Baxter then 49 in her episode and Leigh 48 in hers. Both stars are somewhat sympathetic villains, compelled to extreme measures to maintain their star status.

Anne Baxter's star sports some major shades, while she & Mel Ferrer's gossip hound
 give each other shade in Columbo's "Requiem for a Falling Star."

Anne Baxter is child star turned leading lady Nora Chandler, who is being blackmailed by gossip writer Jerry Parks, played by Mel Ferrer, who does smarmy so well. Pippa Scott is Jean, Nora’s long-time/long-suffering secretary/assistant. Despite protestations otherwise, Jean has been offering Nora gossip nuggets as pillow talk to Jerry. Nora stalks Jean to Jerry’s birthday party and slashes the tire of her vehicle. Jean borrows Jerry’s vehicle, with Nora waiting at Jerry’s. When the car arrives, Nora has poured gasoline all over the drive way and lights it up. Does Nora actually know who the driver is?

Film star Grace Wheeler contemplates her future, which doesn't include her
 disapproving husband, in Columbo's "Forgotten Lady." Starring Janet Leigh.

Janet Leigh is Grace Wheeler, former song and dance movie star, who leaves a That’s Entertainment!-style movie event, giddy with plans to revive her musical career, but on Broadway. Shades of Debbie Reynolds in Irene! She enlists former co-star and friend Ned Diamond to direct and produce. Grace must know her older, wealthy doctor spouse won’t approve, because she already has a typically convoluted Columbo plot to off him. The star swans upstairs with some extra sleeping medication and her comeback plans get doused, as expected. After her hubby takes his pill, plus one by his wife, Grace steals back upstairs later with a gun. She shoots him and puts the gun in his hand, to make it look like a suicide.

Anne Baxter's Nora Chandler is the gracious star to Peter Falk's fawning Columbo.

Enter Lt. Columbo: In Requiem for a Falling Star, Peter Falk’s wiley Lt. Columbo comes on the scene, feigning surprise and fawns over living legend Nora Chandler. Anne Baxter’s winking grande dame demeanor makes Columbo’s professed shock and awe quite believable. From then on, there is a mutual admiration society between the two worthy adversaries. In Forgotten Lady, the dynamic is quite different. Though Lt. Columbo seems shocked that he’s investigating at the home of one of his and Mrs. Columbo’s favorite stars, Janet Leigh’s Grace Wheeler is more genteel and increasingly fragile. And Falk’s Columbo, while dogged as ever, is more sensitive to the star’s story.

The Leading Ladies: Anne Baxter offers a charismatic star performance whose character Nora Chandler would be right at home with All About Eve’s Margo Channing and Eve Harrington. Nora has Margo’s larger than life persona and Eve’s cunning charm. She does seem genuinely taken with Lt. Columbo and Baxter and Falk play off each other wonderfully. The scene in the finale where Nora is caught by Columbo looks like a nod to Margo Channing, who catches Eve taking imaginary bows in Margo’s costume. Interestingly, Baxter had just performed in Applause, the musical version of All About Eve, as Margo Channing!

Anne Baxter as Nora Chandler, surprised to find Columbo on her tail at the finale!

Anne Baxter in the title role of "All About Eve" is similarly surprised!

Janet Leigh is one of the most empathetic golden era film actresses, so despite being the villain of the piece, it's not hard to sympathize with her desperate actions. Some plot twists along the way make you even more on her side, if you don't think about it too much! While Leigh’s Grace has a safe harbor marriage to the wealthy retired doc, she longs to be back in the spotlight. This seems to have been Leigh’s story off-camera, too. Though she had a loving marriage to a wealthy businessman, Leigh never quite made the top tier in Hollywood, then aged out by the end of the ‘60s, all of which seemed to eat at her. And though Janet was still beautiful, she looks reed thin and pinched, with every line showing on her 50-ish face. Much, much later, daughter Jamie Lee Curtis alluded to her mother having an eating disorder. This gives her performance as desperate Grace even more poignancy. Though I didn’t quite buy the finale’s revelation, it’s still touching.

Janet Leigh's star with a fear of fading away was not too far from her own life.
With Peter Falk as Columbo, in "Forgotten Lady."

Star Style: Anne Baxter sports a fun ‘70s style wardrobe—not by Edith Head—and in one scene sports a slinky magenta top that shows off her trim figure. All that is capped with a Lauren Bacall-style mane of hair! As the veteran star, Anne plays with her typical intensity, but also with great humor.

Anne Baxter has a wow moment, before putting on her jacket,
as the star on the run! In the Columbo episode, "Requiem for a Falling Star."

Janet Leigh also looks stylish, though undercut by her wraith-like figure. Leigh had aged drastically in just six years after sporting a trim but curvy figure in the sexy House on Green Apple Road. Janet would age much like fellow MGM star Lana Turner: bleached helmet hair, tan, and very thin. Still, Janet wore some glam gowns and retained her warm appeal. As the troubled star, Forgotten Lady is one of Janet’s best latter day performances.

As film star Grace Wheeler, Janet Leigh looks lovely, but much older than 48,
in the Columbo episode "Forgotten Lady."

Janet Leigh facing 50 reminded me of 60-ish Lana Turner.

 

Falk as Columbo: Peter Falk is in fine form in these classic Columbo episodes. Falk, along with Carroll O' Connor, were both two middle-aged character actors who hit it big in the '70s by creating their iconic characters Lt. Columbo and Archie Bunker. Both actors enjoyed their belated superstardom and have been remembered for these roles over 50 years now. While I admire Falk’s acting, I often feel the same toward his character as Kevin McCarthy’s studio head does in Requiem for a Falling Star, who resents Columbo’s dogging Nora: “Lieutenant, you have an obtuse manner which some people find ingratiating. I do not. Do you follow me?”

Columbo meets legendary designer Edith Head, courtesy of Anne Baxter's
Nora Chandler, in "Requiem for a Falling Star."

Edith Head's cameo is fun, as she was then Universal's head film costume designer. Peter Falk would hand Head her 8th Oscar for The Sting in 1974. 

Falk would borrow a few elements from Requiem for a Falling Star in a much later Columbo episode he directed, It's All in the Game. Faye Dunaway starred as an even more charming and throaty-voiced femme fatale, who also tries to get him to wear a new tie!

It’s so fun to revisit these '70s Mystery Movies, as they hold up quite well with strong writing, emphasis on characterizations, and terrific acting by star Peter Falk and his mix of young and veteran guest stars.

Peter Falk's Columbo, this time wowed by the presence of Janet Leigh's
Grace Wheeler, in the episode "Forgotten Lady."

Here’s my look at Anne Baxter in the title role of All About Eve: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2020/04/mankiewicz-masterpiece-all-about-eve.html

And here’s Janet Leigh in another close to the bone performance as an unhappy housewife, in 1970’s House on Greenapple Road: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2022/10/janet-leigh-haunting-in-house-on.html

 

Anne Baxter's larger than life Nora Chandler was giving me a serious Charles Busch
 vibe from "Die, Mommie, Die!"