Les Misérables (1935)
I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Fredric March, since he reminds me of my grandpa in The Best Years of Our Lives. Sometimes, as in that movie, he’s a wonderful actor; but sometimes, he’s just stinky. In Les Misérables, he plays the famous literary hero Jean Valjean, and unfortunately, he’s pretty stinky.
Charles Laughton plays the complex villain Inspector Javert. As everyone knows, since the story is French, his character name is pronounced “Jah-verr”. Fredric March doesn’t say it that way. From start to finish, he calls his enemy “Ja-vert”. My dad came up with a possible reason for the outrageously embarrassing mistake: Freddie said “Ja-vert,”, and director Richard Boleslawski said, “Cut! Freddie, it’s ‘Jah-verr.’” Freddie said, “Yeah, yeah, I know.” Then, thrown out into the ring again, he said “Ja-vert.” Rinse and repeat. That scenario sounded so much like something my grandpa would do, that even though “Ja-vert” almost ruins the movie, it still makes me laugh.
Now, let’s talk about what else is wrong with this version. I really like Charles Laughton, but I think he was miscast as Javert. Charles has a very expressive face, and he always comes across as having enormously deep problems. Javert can’t look that way. He’s strict, rigid, and has enormous discipline because he loves the law. He doesn’t have deep emotional problems. The supporting cast isn’t that bad, with Rochelle Hudson as Cosette, Florence Eldridge as Fantine John Beal as Marius, and Cedric Hardwicke as the bishop. Rochelle and Fredric March are pretty contemporary, and parts of the story feel rushed and cheaply done. All in all, this really isn’t the best film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. Every version has its ups and downs, though, so it’s a matter of taste when you pick your favorite.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Charles Laughton movies here!
More Fredric March movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1952's Les Misérables here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2000's Les Misérables here!
Charles Laughton plays the complex villain Inspector Javert. As everyone knows, since the story is French, his character name is pronounced “Jah-verr”. Fredric March doesn’t say it that way. From start to finish, he calls his enemy “Ja-vert”. My dad came up with a possible reason for the outrageously embarrassing mistake: Freddie said “Ja-vert,”, and director Richard Boleslawski said, “Cut! Freddie, it’s ‘Jah-verr.’” Freddie said, “Yeah, yeah, I know.” Then, thrown out into the ring again, he said “Ja-vert.” Rinse and repeat. That scenario sounded so much like something my grandpa would do, that even though “Ja-vert” almost ruins the movie, it still makes me laugh.
Now, let’s talk about what else is wrong with this version. I really like Charles Laughton, but I think he was miscast as Javert. Charles has a very expressive face, and he always comes across as having enormously deep problems. Javert can’t look that way. He’s strict, rigid, and has enormous discipline because he loves the law. He doesn’t have deep emotional problems. The supporting cast isn’t that bad, with Rochelle Hudson as Cosette, Florence Eldridge as Fantine John Beal as Marius, and Cedric Hardwicke as the bishop. Rochelle and Fredric March are pretty contemporary, and parts of the story feel rushed and cheaply done. All in all, this really isn’t the best film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel. Every version has its ups and downs, though, so it’s a matter of taste when you pick your favorite.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Charles Laughton movies here!
More Fredric March movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1952's Les Misérables here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2000's Les Misérables here!