The Notorious Landlady (1962)

Continuing to enjoy a short respite from my more usual heavier fare I took a look at this Kim Novak picture that it turned out I had never seen before. I have a soft spot for her late 50s/early 60s movies and this does not disappoint. With Gershwin's, Foggy Day in London Town, playing in the background the films begins quietly enough but there are some twists and turns ahead both in storyline and tone. Jack Lemmon always has a tendency to go a bit wild but he is restrained for the most part here with just short bursts of near farce now and again. Fred Astaire is very effective and very much helps to hold things together. Lionel Jeffries, someone else who can go a bit crazy, is fantastic in this, providing some light relief but also gravitas. The star though is the wonderful Kim Novak who does not put a foot wrong. I was a bit worried at the beginning when she comes on with a typical American version of a cockney accent - all part of the show though and she is soon back to her own sweet voice. Good solid entertainment.

Jack Lemon is a newcomer to the Ambassador's staff in London. His boss is Fred Astaire. He rents half a house from the impecunious Kim Novak, an American whose husband has mysteriously disappeared. It's widely suspected that she poisoned hubby, using kidney pies that were so good that he asked for seconds. "It was the seconds that done him in," remarks a police officer. Lemon begins to wonder if she's going to poison him and is hypervigilant.The fact that Lemon and Novak are "living together" becomes a scandal. He's advised for the sake of his career to avoid being seen with Novak in public but when she tries to barbecue his dinner the burst of flame sets fire to the tarpaulin, screams break out, windows fly open, bells clang, and the fire department arrives -- that sort of thing.I didn't find it very funny, or very suspenseful either. Lemon tip toes from room to room, examining the contents of drawers, while Novak goes about her business in the kitchen. Lemon and Novak are competent enough. Fred Astaire is miscast in the role of the sarcastic boss who should be threatening instead of charming. Lionel Jeffries and Henry Daniell are both memorable in their brief appearances as a Scotland Yard official and a vicar.The film does the job it set out to do, but what it set out to do is only barely worth doing.

Somehow I became a fan of Kim Novak when I saw her in a film in the mid-1960s when I was in college. I don't remember the title, but I was forever hooked on her and have enjoyed all her roles.Here she is Mrs. Hardwicke, Carly, who lives in a nice part of London and is advertising to rent out part of her home. The audience is quickly brought into the mystery when a young couple and their son show up, but as soon as Mrs, Hardwicke opens the door (we only see her from the rear) we can tell from the expressions that they recognize her from something, and back off, not wanting anything to do with her. She must be "notorious" but we don't find out why for a while.Then along comes Jack Lemmon as Bill Gridley, a US State department diplomat just moving into London and needing a flat near work. He sees the ad and convinces Carly to take him in, even though the ad says "prefers a couple." Bill has no inkling that something may be wrong, and immediately falls for Carly. Their early romance is filled with missteps.The third key character is Fred Astaire as Franklyn Ambruster, Bill's boss. When he finds that Bill has rented from the notorious Carly Hardwicke, he and Scotland yard begin to watch more closely, and eventually ask Bill to help.At issue is Mr. Hardwicke, who it seems has disappeared and Carly has been accused of murdering her husband. This has brought the notoriety and her picture has been in the newspapers and tabloids. But there is no body, no evidence, so she cannot be tried, however she is always being watched. Plus her passport has been seized so she can't go back to Chicago. Bill can't believe this nice woman could be a murderer.All in all a very entertaining romantic comedy with a murder mystery thrown in. Kim Novak is in fine form. Not very meaningful but good entertainment, as most 1960s movies of this sort.SPOILERS: Mr Hardwicke is in fact still alive, but had fled to hide a crime. Near the end of the movie he shows up in Carly's bedroom, there is a struggle, he is accidentally shot with his own gun. A trial is held but witnesses exonerate Carly. But a neighbor has gotten off with the jewels hidden in a pawned candelabra, and is tracked down by Bill and Carly at a seaside resort.

This movie is now out on DVD albeit in Jack Lemmon's collection and not alone but it is a film on a single disc so while not sold separately it should suffice. The print is in excellent condition. I'm only upset that I only just now purchased as I just now found out about it by chance! I had a bad print years ago and reluctantly parted with it even though I enjoyed the film immensely. My top film used to be a tie between Casablanca and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but now those films have been bumped down to number two and number three. This is now my first favorite film. Is it better than those films-absolutely not-not even close. Those two films are masterpieces. For me personally, those films are films I can't watch too often, maybe because they aren't light films. The Notorious Landlady is a film that requires repeated viewings because of the enjoyable performances. The first time you view it you just want to see what happens, the next time you view it you want to see it knowing what you now know from the first time, etc., by the next couple of times you view it you will appreciate the Novak-Lemmon romance all the more. What I like about their romance is that while its complicated it isn't vulgar nor is it sappy. The music is unforgettable (great love theme for Kim and Jack) and the dialog is excellent and witty. I find myself pausing the film to laugh at lines I didn't catch or get at another time. This film doesn't take itself seriously, which makes it inviting to watch. Kim Novak is perfectly cast and alluring, Jack Lemmon is romantic and sexy. I cannot forget to mention Fred Astaire-this has to be one of his best roles! The supporting cast is excellent too. The film has so much depth, so many layers to peel and enjoy. Its what more films should be like if they can't be masterpieces; they should be like this.