Flesh and Fantasy [Blu-ray]

Director: Julien Duvivier Julien Duvivier

Overview

In the tradition of his earlier Carnival in Flanders and Tales of Manhattan, director Julien Duvivier's Flesh and Fantasy is a "pormanteau" film, consisting of several short stories. Linking the three tales unfolded herein are clubmen Doakes (Robert Benchley) and Davis (David Hoffman), who carry on a spirited debate about Destiny. In the first story, homely Henrietta (Betty Field) is made beautiful through the love of handsome Mardi Gras reveller Michael (Robert Cummings)-and the help of an enigmatic mask-maker (Edgar Barrier). The second story, based on Oscar Wilde's "Lord Arthur Saville's Crime," concerns a fortune teller named Septimus Podgers (Thomas Mitchell) who predicts that socialite Marshall Tyler (Edward G. Robinson) will commit a murder. In the final tale, psychic high wire artist Paul Gaspar (Charles Boyer) dreams that he will meet his doom during the performance of his act-and then falls in love with Joan Stanley (Barbara Stanwyck), who looks exactly like the girl who appeared in that dream. A fourth story, detailing the doomed romance between a fugitive from justice (Alan Curtis) and a blind girl (Gloria Jean), was cut from Flesh and Fantasy, then expanded and released separately as Destiny (1944).

Product Details

Release Date:	03/28/2023
UPC:	0814456026824
Original Release:	1943
Rating:	NR
Source:	Vinegar Syndrome
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	14,089

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Edward G. Robinson	Marshall Tyler
Barbara Stanwyck	Joan Stanley
Charles Boyer	Paul Gaspar
Betty Field	Henrietta
Robert Cummings	Michael
Thomas Mitchell	Septimus Podgers,Acrobat
Charles Winninger	King Lamarr
Anna Lee	Rowena
May Whitty	Lady Pamela Hardwick
C. Aubrey Smith	Dean of Chichester
Robert Benchley	Doakes
Edgar Barrier	Stranger
David Hoffman	Davis
Mary Forbes	Lady Thomas
Anita Bolster	Actor
Ian Wolfe	Librarian
Doris Lloyd	Mrs. Caxton
June Lang	Angel
Grace McDonald	Equestrienne
Joseph Crehan	Acrobat/Detective
Arthur Loft	Detective
Lee Phelps	Detective
James Craven	Radio Announcer
Marjorie Lord	Justine
Bruce Lister	Young Man
Eddie Acuff	Policeman
Peter Lawford	Pierrot
Lane Chandler	Acrobat/Satan
Gil Patric	Death
Paul Bryar	Harlequin
George J. Lewis	Harlequin
Philip Warren	Actor,Neighbor
Clinton Rosemond	Old Negro
Charles Halton	Old Man Prospector
Jacqueline Dalya	Angel
Leyland Hodgson	Cop
Edward Fielding	Sir Thomas
Heather Thatcher	Lady Flora
Clarence Muse	Jeff
Jack Gardner	Gunman
Nedra Sanders	Chorus Girl
Beatrice Barrett	Chorus Girl
Frank Arnold	Clown
Carl Vernell	Neighbor
Sandra Morgan	Neighbor
Harold de Becker	Clerk
Anita Sharp Bolster	Relative
Ferdinand Munier	Relative
Bruce Lester	Young Man
Harry Stubbs	Proprietor
Olaf Hytten	Chemist
Marcel Dalio	Clown
Jerry Maren	Midget
Jeanette Fern	Midget
Mary Ann Hyde	Gaspar's Assistant
Con Colleano	Gaspar's Double
Eddie Kane	Immigration Officer
Alexander Tansman	Composer

Technical Credits

Charles Boyer	Producer
Julien Duvivier	Director,Producer

Editorial Reviews

For the most part, anthology films such as Flesh and Fantasy are rarely as satisfying as one desires. Rare is the "omnibus" that is strong throughout. More often, they are like Fantasy, which has one very strong sequence, one that works well enough and one that disappoints. The disappointing one is the opening entry about a plain girl who desires a handsome man and which is fairly uninspired and predictable, despite game performances from Betty Field and Robert Cummings. The final segment, involving Charles Boyer as a high-wire artist, is a perfectly agreeable little film. It's not exceptional, but it holds the interest, keeps one guessing a bit, and resolves itself neatly. Boyer is in good form, and Barbara Stanwyck, practically incapable of a bad performance, adds to the sequence's success. The middle part, based on a famous Oscar Wilde story, is the best. Wilde's story is ripe for the screen, and director Julien Duvivier makes the most of the opportunities it presents, especially in a sequence in which Edward G. Robinson argues with himself over what he is to do. The script is taut but atmospheric, and even those familiar with the story will be entertained. Robinson is an old hand at playing conflicted men and at bringing out both the best and the worst in his characters and so is very much in his element here. Beyond the three main stories, there is also an obligatory framing sequence, which works well enough. Fantasy also benefits from excellent camerawork, courtesy of Stanley Cortez and Paul Ivano, and a handsome production design, as well as a very fine supporting cast that includes Dame May Whitty and Thomas Mitchell. When all its parts are added up, Fantasy comes out as a good, if uneven, little diversion.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler