As promised, this week, Gene Kelly's Three Musketeers from 1948. Much better than last weeks Don Ameche/Ritz Bros. For one thing, no singing - no dancing either, which is strange, but probably a good choice, because jazz tap was unknown in the reign of Louis XIII.
But Kelly does a lot of bounding, leaping over hedges and horses and things. His swordfighting is almost credible, at least in the beginning. Proper fencing involves small motions and attempts to poke the opponent, rather than swishing the blade around three feet away from him. The people in this movie seem to know this, although the swishing is too much fun to avoid for long.
Lana Turner as Milady DeWinter (hot). June Allyson as Constance (drippy). Frank Morgan is King Louis, Vincent Price as Richlieu (perfect). They call him Prime Minister Richlieu, not Cardinal - censors won't allow Catholic villains?
Athos (Van Heflin), Porthos (Gig Young) and Aramis (Robert Coote) all fail to make much impression, except Van, who has a lot of forehead going on. He reminds me a lot of Orson Welles that way.
Man, wouldn't Welles have made a great Porthos? Possibly in Twenty Years After, the sequel in which Porthos dies (or was the Man in the Iron Mask?). Probably wouldn't have been interested, as it would have been a supporting role only.
I'm not sure Gene Kelly is the best D'Artagnan ever. I'm still going with Michael York and his huge Gascon nose. Anyone have any fantasy casting ideas for Three Musketeers?
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