pmchai

The intelligence of this show is encased in the fact that it's unmistakably a musical with song and dance, and yet is also a parody of musicals. There may be a dark side that emerges only at the end of the first episode, but until that develops, it's a story filled with amusing ironies. Two of the songs in the first episode are clearly meant to resonate Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. The opening song is a riff on Oklahoma and another a riff on Carousel. But they are at one and the same time well-written and well-rehearsed numbers, and yet are funny because of their self-conscious acknowledgment that they are musicals. Hard to explain, perhaps, but you'll see what I mean when you watch. Parts are laugh out loud funny.

I acquired this movie when I bought a DVD with eight or nine old mystery films. I figured, what the heck, right, nine old movies I'd never heard of for $6.00. How bad could it be.

And in fact, as something of a movie buff I appreciated these old films. This one was by far the best. Don't expect great acting or a scintillating plot. But James Mason and his supporting cast do not disappoint in delivering a bit of a swashbuckling type performance with a few twists and turns that are for the most part predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. I think the film maker intended Mason to look a bit like Errol Flynn. It's also interesting to see how in 1936 they presented Turkey, where most of the movie takes place.

It's a good Saturday afternoon watch.