The Life Cycle Of A Dress Designer
I suppose as a man who thinks a woman's smile is what makes her beautiful, it's hard for me to be impressed by this story set in a haute couture house in London, as Jane Hylton pushes out house founder Martitia Hunt with the connivance of money man Ian Hunter. Nonetheless, I can recognize its ALL ABOUT EVE plot, with Muriel Pavlow as the up-and-coming designer, who's really too sweet for her own good.
There are three fashion shows to demonstrate the beauties of British Technicolor, and a lot of scenes shot in blue-lit darkness. Who better to shoot something like this than Jack Cardiff? In the end, it's a sympathetic look at ambition and a nice portrait of Miss Hylton's character, who is terribly competent at all aspects of her craft.... but knows she lacks true genius.
The best role is that acted by Ronald Squire, the fashion critic known only by his pen name of 'Mary Jane'. Cynical, insightful, and in the end self-mocking, he takes full advantage of his brief scenes to own them utterly.
There are three fashion shows to demonstrate the beauties of British Technicolor, and a lot of scenes shot in blue-lit darkness. Who better to shoot something like this than Jack Cardiff? In the end, it's a sympathetic look at ambition and a nice portrait of Miss Hylton's character, who is terribly competent at all aspects of her craft.... but knows she lacks true genius.
The best role is that acted by Ronald Squire, the fashion critic known only by his pen name of 'Mary Jane'. Cynical, insightful, and in the end self-mocking, he takes full advantage of his brief scenes to own them utterly.
- boblipton
- Oct 2, 2020