Travis Simpkins: Rex Harrison

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Cleopatra (1963): Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Cleopatra (1963) was the most expensive film ever made at that point, costing $44 Million ($340 Million in 2015) and nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox due to production overruns, setbacks and discords. The epic 4-hour film (supposedly based on the historical writings of Plutarch, Suetonius and Appian) tells the sweeping story of the seductive queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, and her love affairs and political relations with Roman officials Julius Caesar and Mark Antony in the 1st Century B.C. Historical fidelity is set aside for 1960's grand spectacle and melodrama. The sets, particularly those of Alexandria and Rome, are astounding in scope and scale… and although probably not very archaeologically authentic, give a proper sense of ancient architecture. Elizabeth Taylor is beautiful, delivering one of her most famous performances, as Cleopatra VII Philopator. Rex Harrison is great as Gaius Julius Caesar. Richard Burton is powerful as Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony). The supporting cast is great as well, including Roddy McDowall, Martin Landau, Hume Cronyn and George Cole.

Rex Harrison: Cleopatra

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Rex Harrison: Cleopatra

Cleopatra. 1963. Elizabeth Taylor

Saturday, September 29, 2018

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947): Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) is a charming and enduring Classic. The story concerns a widow who rents a cottage that is haunted by the spirit of it's former owner, a bawdy sea captain, and the unlikely romance that develops between them. Gene Tierney is quite simply one of the most beautiful women who ever lived, her gorgeous visage permeating every scene, and she delivers one of the best performances of her career. Rex Harrison is excellent as the ghost of the sea captain. George Sanders is snide in a supporting role. A young Natalie Wood appears as the daughter of Mr. Muir.