The Magnificent Ambersons 1942

     This film is based on a Pulitzer Prize winning book by Booth Tarkington published in 1918.  Eugene Morgan wants to marry Isabel Amberson.  She is the daughter of the richest upper-class family in Indianapolis, Indiana of the beginning of the 20^th century.  Eugene brings candy, he brings flowers but he’s never admitted inside the house by the butler?  The reason may be that she felt publicly embarrassed by Eugene?  Instead, Isabel marries Wilbur Minafer even though she doesn't love him.  They have one child, George.  He grows up as a spoiled brat, a terror in the town and everyone hopes someday he will get his comeuppance!!

     This is a black and white film and it features the first model of a gasoline engine car.  The first car in America with a gasoline engine was developed in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893.  Everything is interesting about this film but there is a certain gloom?  There are times when someone needs to stand firmly against George and his decisions!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie.

88 min, Drama directed by Orson Welles and Fred Fleck with Joseph Cotton, Dolores Costello, Anne Baxter, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Erskine Sanford, Richard Bennett, Orson Welles as narrator. 

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, 89% critic 85% audience, Empire Online 5*, Slant Magazine 5*, Metacritic 93 out of 100 with 17 critics, 4.2* out of 5* with 118 reviews, Book on Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 203 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Hollywood, Encino, Los Angeles, Culver City, San Bernardino National Forest, California.  Dolores Costello was formerly a silent star and this is one of her last roles.  She was forced to retire because the early film make-up scarred her face and it was highly caustic.  I thought this was terrible to happen to Dolores!!  This film was recut and it caused a deep rift in Orson Welles’ friendships with Robert Wise and Joseph Cotton.  Joseph wrote several letters of apology to Orson and the two later reconciled.  There were always acrimonious feelings between Orson and Robert for 42 years.  At the Directors Guild of America program to honor Orson with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984, Robert was brought on stage and they shook hands.  The crowd rewarded them with a standing ovation. Twenty years later, Orson still planned an epilogue starring Joseph Cotton, Anne Baxter, Agnes Moorehead and Tim Holt.  The set for the Ambersons mansion was one of the most elaborate and expensive sets ever built at the time.  RKO later used the set for other films.