Voulez Vous en Asprin?May 21, 2000 As the French comedy "Battement de Coeur," this must have been oh so charmant. Mais. En Anglais, and directed by the torpid Sam Wood, it's the epitome of an old movie on the late, late show. Ginger Rogers tries hard but this is her umteenth version of "Cinderella" and the strain is starting to show... Basil Rathbone jumps at the chance to play something besides Sherlock Holmes, but as so often, his comedy style consists of raised eyebrows and scampering around the set. Not the finest hour of either of these two great stars. Quelle drag, n'est ce pas?
Charming, old-fashioned funJune 20, 1999 After encountering an early-morning broadcast of this film years ago, I had to track down a copy to own. Those who prefer Rogers in musicals may not enjoy this, but those who like to see her stretch and take on unusual, challenging roles should enjoy her winsome performance here as--of all things!--a pickpocket in training. Her Fagin/Svengali is the consummately nasty Basil Rathbone, but in this sweetly old-fashioned story true love conquers all obstacles. This isn't a classic of the calibre of Kitty Foyle or Bachelor Mother, but it's got a quiet, wistful charm of its own.
