Tuesday, April 25, 2023

TV review - "Blithe Spirit" (1956) ****

 Fun version of the play with the benefit that it stars Noel Coward. Alongside him are Claudette Colbert, Lauren Bacall and Mildred Natwick so there's star power - Mrs Cunningham from Happy Days is one of the guests.

Coward sometimes seems to be on autopilot, other times rises to the occasion. He found Colbert exasperating but her pretty dowdiness is perfect for the part, just as Bacall's racy glamour is perfect for Elvira. And Madame Arcadi is an actor proof role.

Once I got into the groove of 1956 live television, this was great. The play is nicely trimmed, it has that magic of the ghosts and spirits (good idea of Coward to have them felt when not on stage). Lovely.

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