Sunday 1 October 2017

Mr Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951 Henry Koster)

Rather obviously betraying its theatrical origins, almost a filmed version of Robert McEnroe's play 'The Silver Whistle', the weakest Belvedere episode is set in an old people's home. Clifton Webb, 61 playing 46 playing 77, clashes with the dullest man in the world Hugh Marlowe and encourages faux romance with Joanne Dru.

Belvedere's agent is Zero Mostel - he was blacklisted (with friend Jack Gilford) a few years later ('Was it because he was Jewish?' Q asked me innocently), but continued to work in theatre. William H Lynn is one of the olds.

Good photography by Joseph Lashelle.




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