Ancora una volta con sentimento

Sadly lost to viewers and DVD/VHS buyers in the United States, this is one of the funniest films Kay Kendall made in her short life, and that is no mean feat. Yul Brenner also shines as one of the world's greatest egomaniac types--a symphony orchestra conductor.

Donen directs a film based on a familiar theme - the ugly side of of genius that is hidden from the public, but all too familiar with valet, wife or agent. Donen manages to make a comedy of it all, without becoming a farce. That is probably due to the acting talents of Yul Brynner, Kay Kendall and the over worked agent played by great character actor Greg Ratoff. The plot may sound silly if one reads the screen play, but as a finished film, it is a delight to watch as three different personalities clash with each other, going in all directions only to end up on the same page at the end. Donen manages to describe genius, art, and a selfish ego and puts it into a package that will not make you laugh, but smile through most of the film. If you like classical music (and Sousa), you have an additional bonus. If you are a musician or played in school, you will recognize some of the tantrums of the conductor and the bulling of musicians who do not give the conductor what he wants.

And one final tribute to the film. Kay Kendall's acting is all the more remarkable because she shows no signs of nearing the end of her life and career. Once More With Feeling was her last film.

Delightful, enchanting, deliciously funny. Kay Kendall was all of these things in her far too short life. Her last film, Once More With Feeling is very rarely seen, more's the pity. As a companion piece to The Reluctant Debutante this is a wonderful tribute to a dazzlingly beautiful and talented young woman. The fireworks between Kendall and Yul Brynner as her "apparent" husband (who really isn't) are a joy to watch and give one a view of a masterfully comic actress whose talents would have taken her way up into the stratosphere of cinema greats. Great pacing and set pieces from director Stanley Donen. Yes, this movie is a piece of fluff but the sheer professionalism of both leads make it a must see. If you can get your hands on a copy then you're in for a real treat. A beautiful looking production with top performances all round. Would that the movies of today could be this enjoyable!

Unlike Saratoga with Jean Harlow where you can easily tell that the star was in some kind of distress while making the film, there is absolutely no trace of any of ill health in Kay Kendall's sprightly and last performance. A kind Providence left her just as I'm sure she would want to have been remembered by her many fans in Once More With Feeling.

The film is adapted from the original play by Harry Kurnitz which ran for 263 performances in the 1958-59 season on Broadway. Kurnitz was a screenwriter of long standing with an impressive list of credits so I'm sure he had no trouble getting this play sold to the screen and wisely with the proviso he adapt it for film. The play was produced on Broadway by Martin Gabel as a star vehicle for his wife Arlene Francis in the part that Kendall had on screen. Her husband was Joseph Cotten and the part of their manager was played by Walter Matthau.

Cotten's role was taken by Yul Brynner as the egotistical symphony conductor with his wife, talented harp prodigy Kendall. There's is a stormy relationship and Brynner's got a roving eye. It roves to Shirley Anne Field who turns out to be not a child prodigy of 12, but a shapely young thing of 21. Too good to resist for Brynner, but the last straw for Kendall.

The problem is that in the world of classical music, she's the attraction, him they put up with. Manager Gregory Ratoff finds that Brynner's best solo offer is Fargo, North Dakota, quite a come down from the London Symphony.

After this the film and play start looking a whole lot like Twentieth Century. That doesn't mean it isn't good, just not truly original. Brynner and Kendall play well off each other. In the supporting cast I like Mervyn Johns as the director of the Liverpool symphony with whom Brynner is campaigning for a position with or without Kendall. In the midst of the classical music, he who has the Liverpool Symphony deficit as a tax write off for his canned goods firm demands The Stars and Stripes Forever in all concerts and played with piccolo players standing. Is there any other way? Will the Philistine get his way?

Stanley Donen directed Once More With Feeling at a nice and bright clip and he had his own little joke in the credits. Donen who directed several MGM musicals both alone and in collaboration with Gene Kelly had scores by Romberg, Gershwin, etc. Now of course he's dealing with Wagner, Beethoven, Tschaikovsky, and of course John Philip Sousa.

And this review is dedicated to Kay Kendall, who left a nice body of work in her short life that ended at 33. And to my sister Nancy who left us at 34. Both are sorely missed.

This film is just plain funny. Yul Brenner is perfect as the fiery uncompromising symphony conductor, Kaye Kendall likewise as his companion of many years who has kept his orchestra afloat by her unfailing ability to soothe the many feathers ruffled by the maestro -- until, that is, she returns one night to find him compromised with a beautiful 21-year-old pianist. The first-rate performances here are not limited to their acting alone; this is a fine piece of work and everyone involved can be justifiably proud of their part in making it so. The mystery, to me, is why this upbeat and thoroughly delightful comedy is virtually unknown and why the only way in which viewers can verify this is to catch it on its infrequent showings on late-night television. This should really be available on VHS or DVD; my question is, why isn't it?