Released – June, 1952 

Directed By - George Sidney

Starring – Stewart Granger (Andre Moreau), Eleanor Parker (Lenore), Janet Leigh (Aline de Gavrillac de Bourbon), Mel Ferrer (Noel, Marquis de Maynes).

Description – Just before the start of the Frence Revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette enlists the aid of her cousin Noel, Marquis de Maynes in finding out the identity of “Marcus Brutus” who is accused of inciting the people against the aristocracy.

Strictly by chance, de Maynes finds Marcus Brutus and provokes him into a duel. de Maynes is an expert swordsman while Brutus is very inexperienced. After toying with him, de Maynes kills Brutus.

Marcus Brutus, whos real name is Philippe de Valmorin, is a friend of Andre Moreau who witnesses the killing and in anger attacks de Maynes. However, with no sword skill of his own, he is easily humiliated, but not killed by de Maynes.

Moreau vows vengence and swears to kill de Maynes in the same way his friend was killed.

NOTABLE: This colorful remake of a silent film has, what may be, the longest swordfight ever captured on film.

Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner were originally considered for this film, but neither could due to other commitments.

Scaramouche

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Released – February, 1940 

Directed By - Norman Taurog

Starring – Fred Astaire (Johnny Brett), Eleanor Powell (Clare Bennett), George Murphy (King Shaw), Frank Morgan (Bob Casey).

Description – Rivalry comes between two dance partners (Astaire, and Murphy) in the form of Eleanor Powell.  A love triangle emerges when the three find themselves working in the same production and is further complicated by a case of mistaken identity.

NOTABLE: Great dance numbers including the duo of Astaire and Powell dancing to Cole Porter’s ‘Begin The Beguine’.  This performance is one of those highlighted in 1974′s ‘That’s Entertainment’ and was introduced by Frank Sinatra with this statement – “Take a good look folks.  As long as you live you’ll never see the likes of this again.”

Believe it or not, Fred Astaire was slightly intimidated by Eleanor Powell as she was one of the few female dancers capable of out-performing him.  For Eleanor Powell, the feeling was mutual and it took a while before the two would be comfortable enough to call each other by their first names.

Personal Comment:  Sadly, this was the only on-screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell; both considered to be the greatest movie musical dancers of their time.

Broadway Melody of 1940

Ziegfeld Girl / Broadway Melody of 1940 (Two-Pack)

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