I have written about it several times here already, but simply have to again - that favourite lost movie of ours, THE CHAPMAN REPORT from 1962 is finally on dvd – a Warner Archive no-frills issue, but I went for a Spanish edition (CONFIDENCIAS DE MUJER) which has the trailer and chapters, and a lurid painting of Claire Bloom on the cover, in full nympho mode. Cukor’s 1962 film of that sensational best-seller (I read it when I was a teenager) still looks good, with that early ‘60s look in spades, 
with different backgrounds and colours for the 4 ladies – costumes by Orry Kelly, colour co-ordinanation by Cukor regular Hoyningen-Heune, with costumes by Orry-Kelly, all very 1962, Veteran Henry Daniell was another Cukor regular, he gets a scene here, advising Efrem Zimbalist Jr on the dangers posed by his sex survey in suburbia. The credits are amusing too, styled like early computer cards for a electronic filing system. 
Claire Bloom steals the show here with her magnetic portrayal of the self-loathing nympho (she said in a recent interview Cukor was the best director she ever worked with), as we see her like a vampire in the shadows watching the water delivery boy (Chad Everett in tight trousers), before her encounter with those sleazy jazz musicians led by Corey Allen.
Meanwhile arty Glynis Johns gets an eyeful of Ty Hardin in those spray-on shorts at the beach and wants him to pose (and more) for her; while bored housewife Shelley Winters is having an affair with no-good theatre director Ray Danton – her boring husband Harold Stone just wants to watch tv. young Jane Fonda is the fourth wife and makes the least impression here, as the frigid widow whom Efrem gets to comfort. Soap opera then, but a superior one, and a Trash Classic finally available again. 
I didn't know this was finally available here but as I told you I also got the Spanish version when I was out there. I have fond memories of seeing it in the copy you sent me but wanted a 'proper' version. It may be trash but very superior trash and the women are wonderful but then why wouldn't they be; Cukor was at the helm. Pauline Kael liked it too.
ReplyDeleteLove this even if its tone is all over the place from Claire's tragic existence to Glynis's daffy lust. Both are wonderfully entertaining though.
ReplyDeleteThose two ladies and Shelley Winters are the standouts, Shelley's late in film scene with husband Harold J. Stone is beautifully played by both, but Jane has some heavy lifting to do trying to spark any kind of response from block of wood Zimbalist so perhaps she was distracted. She looks a million in most of the movie and that white dress and picture hat are a WOW.
Glad to hear it's finally on DVD and I don't have to be totally reliant on spotty showings of it on TCM.