- The Romantic Age
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The Romantic Age is a 1949 British comedy film directed by Edmond T. Gréville. The screenplay by Peggy Barwell and Edward Dryhurst is based on the French novel Lycee des jeunes filles by Serge Véber.
The plot focuses on middle-aged Arnold Dickson, an art master who joins the staff of the girls' school in which his daughter Julie is enrolled. He soon finds himself the target of Arlette, a sophisticated French exchange student who has more than education on her mind. On a dare, she seduces the professor into running off to Paris with her, a plot derailed by Julie when she orchestrates a scheme designed to help him put the affair into perspective.
Contents
Production notes
In 1960, composer Charles Williams topped the American pop music charts with his theme for the film The Apartment. It originally had been written for and was heard in this film under the title "Jealous Lover." [1][2][3]
The film was released as Naughty Arlette in the United States.
Principal cast
- Hugh Williams ..... Arnold Dickson
- Mai Zetterling ..... Arlette
- Petula Clark ..... Julie Dickson
- Margot Grahame ..... Helen Dickson
- Carol Marsh ..... Patricia
- Raymond Lovell ..... Hedges
- Paul Dupuis ..... Henri Sinclair
- Margaret Barton ..... Bessie
- Marie Ney ..... Miss Hallam
- Mark Daly ..... Withers
Principal production credits
- Producers ..... Edward Dryhurst, Eric L'Epine Smith
- Original Music ..... Charles Williams
- Cinematography ..... Hone Glendinning
- Art Direction ..... Anthony Mazzei
- Costume Design ..... Eleanor Abbey
Critical reception
Picturegoer called the film a "flimsy, but in parts not unamusing trifle" that is "very theatrical" and added, "Mai Zetterling has an unsuitable role for her as a French girl and Hugh Williams is suitably stodgy as the master. His wife is well characterised by Margot Grahame and Petula Clark is charming and ingenuous as his daughter." [4]
Today's Cimema described it as a "rather dull story" that "lacks the sparkle and fun that would have widened its appeal . . . Mai Zetterling is too mature for the role of Arlette, for her mannerisms become irritating and her attitude quite absurd. Petula Clark is much more successful as the master's charming daughter Julie, for she has been given a role suited to her age and experience . . . The Romantic Age should amuse adolescents who may be more able to appreciate its point but it is unlikely to be equally entertaining to adults." [5]
TV Guide rates the film two out of a possible four stars and comments, "It's not a particularly tasteful theme, nor is the comedy handled with the wit necessary to pull it off. The results are fairly pedestrian and lack any real style." [6]
References
- ^ 5107 Charles Williams & The Queen's Hall Light Orchestra at GuildMusic.com. Archived from Charles Williams at GuildMusic.com
- ^ Eldridge, Jeff. FSM: The Apartment FilmScoreMonthly.com
- ^ Adoph Deutsch's "The Apartment" w/ Andre Previn's "The Fortune Cookie" Kritzerland.com
- ^ Picturegoer, December 31, 1949
- ^ Today's Cinema, November 29, 1949
- ^ TV Guide review
External links
Categories:- 1949 films
- 1940s comedy films
- British films
- British comedy films
- English-language films
- Black-and-white films
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