dustbunzer

I adore this movie. It is Black & White, which some viewers don't like, but the story is well written, well acted, and has a bit of it all: action, adventure, romance, humor, and music. Frank Morgan is excellent as the Governor of Lousiana in a young New Orleans, and while Elsa Lanchester's role as his wife is a little "over the top" she handles it well. MacEddy have such chemistry on screen it takes the whole move right along. The details in the movie are rather impressive, from the levee in New Orleans to the scenery in the young city. The story starts in France where a princess is being wed off to Don Carlos who is given a place in the French court so the King can get his hands on Marietta (backstory revealed in the movie). She escapes by switching roles with her maid and becoming one of the Casquette Girls. Historically, the Casquette Girls were virtuous young women sent to be wives for the French colonists. The ship is attacked by pirates close to port, and they are rescued by Captain Warrington (Eddy) and his men. The story moves along well from there and the music is excellent. It is one of the less corny movies of the era, and the attention to detail is impressive. I can only imagine how beautiful the costumes were in real color. This is my favorite MacEddy film.

I immediately liked this movie for its period sense and of course Sam Elliot and Jerry McConnell, as well as being written by Norman Maclean. The first time I watched it I felt it was a bit "light" in story. It drew me back to watch it again, though, and now having seen it quite a few times I have come to love it. It is simple and clean and tells the story of a small piece of a young life that is really quite large. Young Mac is 17 and full of himself, as many 17 year old men can be when they feel they have to prove themselves. He is the jerk in the movie, but he takes us on his journey of "becoming." There are many wise "turns of phrase" in this movie, and the more I watch it the more I find. So the story I thought was "light" turns out to be quite profound and deep. The cast, crew, directing, writing, and cinematography are all beautiful. Don't sell it short... watch it a few times.