Movie Cosmos - Heller in Pink Tights

Description:

Nineteenth century Wyoming: the wild West. Mild-mannered Tom Healy has a two-wagon theater troupe hounded by creditors because Angela, his leading lady and the object of his affection, constantly buys clothes. In Cheyenne, they meet with applause, so they hope to stay awhile: the theater owner likes Angela, and she keeps him on a string. She's also the object of the attentions of Mabry, a gunslinger who's owed money by the richest man in Bonanza.

Top Cast >

Sophia Loren

As Angela Rossini

Anthony Quinn

As Thomas 'Tom' Healy

Margaret O'Brien

As Della Southby

Steve Forrest

As Clint Mabry

Eileen Heckart

As Mrs. Lorna Hathaway

Ramon Novarro

As De Leon

Edmund Lowe

As Manfred 'Doc' Montague

George Mathews

As Sam Pierce

Edward Binns

As Sheriff Ed McClain

Warren Wade

As Hodges

Frank Silvera

As Santis

John George

As Cheyenne Audience Member

Boyd Holister

As McAllister (as Robert Palmer)

Leo V. Matranga

As Gunslinger #2

Cal Bolder

As Goober

Taggart Casey

As Gunslinger #1

Howard McNear

As Photographer

Frank Cordell

As Theodore

Cactus Mack

As William

John Benson

As Poker Player

Top Crew >

George Cukor

Director

Reviews:

John Chard (4/10)

Heller? Hell No!

Heller in Pink Tights is directed by George Cukor and adapted to screenplay by Walter Bernstein from the novel "Heller With a Gun" written by Louis L'Amour. It stars Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, Margaret O'Brien, Steve Forrest, Eileen Heckart and Ramon Novarro. Music is by Daniele Amfitheatrof and cinematography by Harold Lipstein.

In simple terms this is Cukor trying to be clever whilst doing his only Western film. Plot basically follows The Great Healy Dramatic and Concert Company as they represent civilisation and culture coming to the Wild West. It's part spoof, part period farce but always narratively shallow. The costuming and colour lensing are sublime, undeniably, but these can't compensate for such a turgid story being performed by miscast stars.

Quinn called the picture unfortunate, Loren (looking painfully thin and sporting an unfortunate blonde mop on her head) was unhappy with the direction she received and serves solely as a clothes horse, while Cukor himself bemoaned cuts made by Paramount that further damaged what he thought was already a weak story. Receiving mixed reviews upon release, "Heller" was a box office flop, and really it's not hard to see why. Even if there's some value for Loren and Edith Head (costumes) fans. 4/10

2014-06-21