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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Lions Gate
Salesrank: 52707
Released: September 9, 2003 |
| Our Price: $3.27 |
| Used Price: $3.72 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 09/09/2003 Run time: 112 minutes Rating: R
The Cat's Meow Reviews:
And the Bee's Knees! 
2009-11-30 - In "The Cat's Meow," Peter Bogdonovich performs movie magic, recreating the 1920s, when the screens were silent and the stars' lives were private (or, at least, hushed up). His subtle "color scheme of black and white" for the luxurious costumes and opulent settings contributes to the illusion, as does the "tinny" musical score, which brings us early 20th-century favorites, such as "Charleston," and "Ain't We Got Fun?". Al Jolson's rendition of "Avalon" allows us viewers to suspend our collective disbelief and embark on the ill-starred voyage of the "Oneida" with William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies, and their elegantly dissolute guests, which (according to this scenario) include a hot-to-trot Charlie Chaplin; sensational novelist, Elinor Glynn; has-been Movie Mogul, William Ince; future poisoned-pen columnist, Louella Parsons, and an assortment of starlets and hangers-on.
As Hearst, Edward Hermann portrays the lonely paranoia of power; and Kirsten Dunst gives us a glimpse of the comedienne that Marion Davies might have been if given the right part. Eddie Izzard depicts Chaplin' self-conscious charm; Joanna Lumley, who narrates the story in the 'voice' of an Elinor Glynn novel, is convincing; and if anyone thinks that Jennifer Tilly's interpretation of Louella Parsons is exaggerated, then they have never heard that redoubtable purveyor of gossip on the radio, as, every week, she literally meowed "Hello to All of You From Hollywood!" Bogdonovich has adroitly directed an ensemble cast in which every character is pitch-perfect [The girls playing the starlets are especially commendable.].
The DVD includes extras that are really worth watching. Students of film will appreciate the "Anatomy of a Scene," which, as the name implies, takes the main scene apart and puts it together again, demonstrating the director and actors at work. The extras include and interesting account of the perils of filming "California" in Greece in November; and a Charlie Chaplin longish "short," which is laugh-out-loud funny!
Part Agatha Christie mystery and part Hollywood thriller, "The Cat's Meow" is a keeper, which I take off the shelf every year and watch again, always discovering some new detail, to my great enjoyment.
The Cat's Meow
2009-11-24 - This is my second favorite movie of all time, and I can't understand why it hasn't had more exposure. To me, the acting, screenplay, and dialogue are fascinating to such a degree that I find something new each time I watch it.
The movie takes place on board William Randolph Hearst's large yacht, which is peopled with Hollywood personalities from the early thirties. Certainly this alone will appeal to nostalgia fans. The surprise really is that the whole thing is done so well, even to the impromptu Charleston dances, the sly drinks on a "dry" ship, and the petty liaisons so typical of the people and times.
Make sure you have a VHS player, because I don't know that it can be bought on disk. If so equipped, then order a second movie, my number one favorite of all:
"Once Upon A Time In The West".
Lions Gate Signature Series rerelease, classy cover art.
2005-03-10 - This DVD release is identical to the previous DVD release from 2002, except the cover art is much different, reflecting the Lions Gate Signature Series, a short-lived series of Lions Gate's earlier successful films, including Monster's Ball, Amores Perros, and a personal favorite of mine, Eve's Bayou. Personally I like the Signature Series cover art more, because it adds a touch of class to a very classy and well-done movie.
I've always enjoyed this movie because of my fascination with old-time Hollywood. The movie has an excellent cast (especially Joanna Lumley as the eccentric Elinor Glyn). It's a very enjoyable movie with dark overtones, and I can go on raving about it for days, but then this review would just get repetitive! At its low price, it's a great deal. Buy this movie, it's great!
One more thing... check out Woody Allen's classic Zelig. You can spot Marion Davies and Charlie Chaplin together! An interesting link between two great movies...
