FULL WATCHALONG: Charade (1963)
Added 2025-05-21 05:21:45 +0000 UTCHi friends! Here's a new watchalong for Cristy's Classics! This was a Reactr request by our friend Bradley Bradley. Thanks Bradley!
What a FUN MOVIE! Watch along with me!
Comments
I love these detailed comments Brad, it's like we're watching the movie together!
Cristy
2025-05-29 21:38:36 +0000 UTCOk, my schedule is all clear for the night, so it's time to sit down and watch one of my favorite movies "Charade" with my friend, Cristy! You asked, "Do you remember the first time you watched this movie?" Actually, I do. It was around 1999-2002. After sticking with movies that I grew up with in the 80s and 90s, I was starting to branch out and trying to watch foreign movies and classic films. Very often I would be surprised with how good they were and how much I enjoyed them. Watching CHARADE was such a treat. I loved how it combined suspense, mystery, and comedy all in a believable way. To me, this is the movie I think of when I hear the expression, "They don't make movies like this anymore. I understand what you mean when you say you prefer that the movie credits be at the end of film, just from the standpoint of being a movie reactor. I remember you watching SPEED for the first time during the opening credits saying "Just how tall is this elevator shaft?!?" However, I think there are definitely some movies where the opening credit sequence really sets the tone for the film and gets you psyched for what's coming of which CHARADE is one. Indeed, I'm sure that eventually you'll be watching the original 1977 SUPERMAN movie, which to me has one of the best opening credits sequences of all time. The amount of $250,000 is a pivotal dollar amount in this movie, and you were wondering how much that would be equal to today. In 2025 dollars, that would be a little over 2.6 million dollars. I knew of course that you speak perfect Spanish and English, but it's amazing to hear you speak French as well! Just how fluent are you in French? And are there any other languages you practice? 🙂 Cristy: "I don't believe anyone in this movie!" Aha! You've intuitively arrived at the central theme of the movie! Although, to be fair, there are really only two characters who are purposely deceiving other people - Pete/Alex/Adam (who is actually Brian) and "CIA desk jockey" Hamilton Bartholomew (who is actually Carson Dyle). Everybody else in the movie is pretty upfront about who they are and what they want. Even Herman, Tex and Leopold are clear about who they really are and what they want. I like how, for the rooftop fight between Brian and Herman, you say "This is the slowest fight I've ever seen." Indeed, it's not exactly Captain America fighting Bucky in WINTER SOLDIER, is it? But I think it's still a thrilling fight sequence, nonetheless. Your face when you realized - "{gasp!] The stamps!!!" So great! To me, that triple-epiphany moment when first Tex, then the movie viewer, then Brian all have that sudden realization, is on of the best moments in cinematic history. When I watched it for the first time, I let out a huge gasp, as well! You say, "I love Mr. Felix!" (the stamp dealer/collector). Yes, to my mind, he is perhaps the unsung hero of this film. A man who has a true passion for his hobby, stamp collecting, but as he says, the money for what they were worth was not important. What mattered to him was to be able to own them, however briefly, and inspect them in person, knowing that he would very soon have to give them back. And to do so because it's the right thing to do. That one line he says when Reggie apologizes for having to take the stamps back, "No. For a few minutes they were mine. That is enough." is the one line from this movie that still sticks with me to this day. Finally, there's one tidbit on Wikipedia about the making of this movie that may interest you: Cary Grant, who turned 59 years during filming, was sensitive about the 25-year age difference between Audrey Hepburn (33 at the time of filming) and himself, and was uncomfortable with their romantic interplay. To address his concerns, the filmmakers agreed to add dialogue that has Grant's character comment on his age and Regina being portrayed as the pursuer. Well, Cristy, I'm so glad that you such fun watching CHARADE. It's also fun to watch it a second time, knowing in advance things that won't be revealed until later. In fact, maybe some night you and Laura can have a movie night where she gets to watch the film for the first time. 🙂 Have a wonder week ahead, and as always- stay sweet! <3
Bradley Bradley
2025-05-26 03:34:16 +0000 UTCfor a great classic movie, To Sir With Love, 1969. starring Sydney Portier as a school teacher in a tough English school. just in time for high school graduation
zynjams
2025-05-22 14:34:03 +0000 UTC
