SCARAMOUCHE

US, 1952, 115 minutes, Colour.
Stewart Granger, Mel Ferrer, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Henry Wilcoxon, Nina Foch, Lewis Stone, Robert Coote, Richard Anderson.
Directed by George Sidney.

Scaramouche is a very entertaining tongue-in-cheek swashbuckling adventure. It was directed by George Sidney, a noted director of musicals like The Harvey Girls and Showboat. However, he made the similarly entertaining Gene Kelly version of The Three Musketeers in 1948. Stewart Granger had moved to America at this stage of his career and was a big star at M.G.M., appearing also in the action swashbuckler The Prisoner of Zenda. Janet Leigh is always an attractive heroine and Eleanor Parker has a change of pace as Lenore, the theatre girl. Mel Ferrer is a suitably adroit fencer and villain. There is plenty of colour spectacle with the pre-French Revolution setting and all the ingredients of a Sabatini adventure. Scaramouche is a very good example of this kind of Hollywood action entertainment.

1. Entertaining, appealing? The perennial attraction of colourful swashbuckling adventure?

2. The conventions of the swashbuckling adventure from silent days, through the 30s and Errol Flynn into the 50s? The film-making of the 50s with production values and lavish presentation? Costume, decor? The stars and their impact in their day?

3. The use of the conventions: the 18th. century French setting, the aristocracy, the anticipation of the Revolution, the administration of France? Court life, fencing, theatre? Sete, decor, costumes? The various set pieces especially the sword fights and the chases? The zest with which they were presented?

4. Themes of the 18th. century and the court, the presentation of the Queen and her attitudes towards equality? The presentation of the aristocracy and their assumptions about their status? The antagonism towards equality? The credibility of revolution? The Assembly and its sittings? The duels? The atmosphere of the pre-Revolution?

5. Stewart Granger and his style as Andre? A dashing athletic hero? The introduction to him and his seeking out of Lenore, the ladies' man? His family background, the way that he was brought up? His friendship with Marcus Brutus? His helping him and his shrewdness? His impetuosity especially after the sword fight with de Maynes? His vengeance? The seeking out of his identity, his attraction towards Aline and his acknowledgement of her as his sister? His working relationship with Lenore in the theatre, their sparring, their love? His vindictive attitude towards de Maynes? His decision to learn to fight with the sword, his continued practice? His being chased by de Mayne's men and his ingenuity in escaping? His stepping into the role of Scaramouche and perfecting it as a comic item, as a cover?

6. The humour of Andre's disguise as Scaramouche? The long sequences of comedy in the popular theatre of the 18th. century? His decision to go to Paris? The confrontation with de Maynes in his home and his escape? The invitation to the Assembly and the challenge to duels and his success? The irony of the two women trying to protect him and their failing in preventing the duel in the theatre? The impact of the long duelling sequence and Andre's inability to kill Noel?

7. De Maynes as an arrogant aristocrat, the Queen's command for him to marry, his attitude towards Aline, his cold-blooded baiting of Marcus Brutus and then killing him, the clash with Andre, the pursuit? The intended marriage with Aline and their coldness? The confrontation in his home and his reaction to Andre's escapd> His not being in the Assembly? The wish to have the sword fight? His reaction when faced with death? The irony of his being Andre's brother?

8. The character of Lenore and her fiery attitude, her participation in the theatre acts, her inability to settle down and marry? Her suitors - and the irony of Napoleon courting her at the end? Her conniving with Aline to prevent the duel? The comic touch?

9. The impact of the theatre sequences and slapstick comedy?

10. Romance, danger, the culmination with duel, the refusal to kill, the revelation of identity, the happy marriage - with the practical jokes? Why the basic appeal to audience of all ages and times with this kind of material?