No discussion at all?


Am I to understand that I am the only idiot who finds delight in this movie..? :-)

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You are not the only idiot, BlueGreen.
I am a big fan of this film -- which has a small but devoted cult following.
I thought Shearer was absolutely delightful and she and Gable have fabulous chemistry.
I'd be interested to read Sherwood's original play to see how it might differ from the MGM film version.
A laser disc issued in the 1980's apparently contained alternate endings.
Hopefully, when a long awaited DVD arrives, it will contain the European ending
as well.
It's a great flick.

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I think "Idiot's Delight" is a must-see for any fan of Gable or Norma Shearer, who years later confirmed she was indeed parodying Garbo as the over-the-top femme fatale Russian "countess" (source: "Norma Shearer" by Gavin Lambert). I have the laserdisc of this title, and it contains the alternate "upbeat" ending, where Gable and Shearer improvise a vamp stage number, instead of the solemn rendition of "Abide with Me" shown in the standard ending. However, Turner Classic Movies also airs the alternate version, complete with title card explaining why it exists.

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The movie is worth seeing if just for Gable singing and dancing to "Puttin' On The Ritz". It should be on DVD.

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I agree - Gable singing and dancing was just a joy to behold! I often get the film out just to watch that bit over again as I just love it!!

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I agree - Gable singing and dancing was just a joy to behold!


I say! A joy - AND a surprise. A very nice one.




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lots of great dancing! 



🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃

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The movie is worth seeing if just for Gable singing and dancing to "Puttin' On The Ritz".



Yes, it is.
It presents Gable in a totally different light - and not an unflattering one, I might add. Not at all. :)



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I'm a big Clark Gable fan but ashamed to admit that I've never seen this film!
I've always wanted to, but I've never been able to catch it on TCM and of course it's not at Blockbuster or any of those pathetic stores. Even Netflix and Blockbuster Online don't have it!

I would adore seeing him sing and dance, even if he's not that great, because I'm a HUGE musical lover. I think I'm off to Amazon.com to find it now. I can't wait any longer!

"The time to make up your mind about people is never."

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The idiot is back (I mean yours truly ;) - and what a nice surprise this is, to find a "small but dedicated" (indeed!) fan following.
It still amazes me that even Shearer's fans don't know much about this gem.
More and more I am considering myself very lucky to have caught it one late night or early morning on TCM...

I must go and see what the critics of the time said about it. Perhaps therein lies the mystery...

Or maybe this film remained relatively obscure simply because of the date of its release. In hindsight, late August of 1939 wasn't exactly a good time to promote "blockbusters". ;)


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I've never seen this movie, but when I see clips it looks like so much fun! Why isn't it on DVD?!

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Am I to understand that I am the only idiot who finds delight in this movie..? :-)


You are the only idiot who has found a copy of this movie.

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I adore Norma and I consider "Idiot's Delight" one of her best. Certainly one of my three favorites, along with "The Women" and "Marie Antoinette". I love her over-the-top performance and her look- she looks stunningly beautiful in her blonde wig and Adrian's extreme but flattering creations. Gable is charming in his role but I don't agree that he steals the movie- Norma's dazzling persona is simply irresistible in this film.

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This was okay and Shearer was a bit annoying in that over the top (I know it was done over the top purposely) accent. But TrippyTrellis, are you kidding? "The Women" and "Marie Antoinette" are two of Shearer's worst films, "Romeo & Juliet" takes the cake as the worst. She's completely declawed and stripped of any edge in those movies. You should check out all of her work during 1930-1934' Precode era. Including "Free Soul" The Divorcee" "Riptide" "Smilin' Through" and many others.

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I just don't get why most people seem to dislike this film. After all it's only a MOVIE. They can't all be high art. It's impossible to take your eyes off Shearer's platinum wig, it's almost its own character. And Gable is wonderfully magnetic. The main criticism I have is the confused directions it seems to go in, perhaps a reflection of Americas ambivalent feelings about entering WWII at this time. Anyway I think it's fun, and to repeat an oft used phrase in this film "how strange". What was your issue with Shearer in "The Women" too soft? Though I agree with you about "Marie Antoinette".



Waste anything except TIME time is our shortest material

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"The Woman" was the least offensive of her post code films. But yes it was too soft and glossy. It also betrays her talents, which seemed to be reigned in. It's almost shocking the difference between the two eras, and I'm glad she left the "game" before it was too late. Although if Thalberg had survived, maybe she would have had a Stanwyck like career. A beacon of film acting.

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Have you seen "Strange Interlude"? I just rented it and THATS a Shearer film I truly disliked. It seemed to me she was crying or whining almost the entire film. Histrionic beyond belief, even given the era and the films stagey beginnings. It was like a silent movie with sound. The only redeeming features were the child's performance and Robert Young's. Unless you are a die-hard Gable or Shearer fan who absolutely must see each and every inch of available film I'd skip it. I agree that her career potential went largely untapped.


Waste anything except TIME time is our shortest material

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I think Shearer is mercury to Gable's lead in this film. Shearer's performance is FUN. So often Gable is left speechless with an "I can't believe what I'm seeing and hearing" look on his face. You can read many interpretations into his facial expressions; Even "what am I doing in this movie". There are moments with Gable, like when he's being carried off horizontally by "Le Blonde's" . The look on his face and that little finger wag is priceless. With all it's faults I really liked this film.


Waste anything except TIME time is our shortest material

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Strange Interlude- I have not seen this film yet, only because I've read too many bad things bad about it, so it's low on my priority list, and you're judgment of the film confirms this. But maybe I'll run into this film in the future and I'll give it a fair shake.

BTW- Gable was the saving grace of "Idiot's Delight." Stole the mediocre show all the way.

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After years and years of seeing clips from this film in various documentaries I finally got a chance to see it the other day. Well worth the wait, I must say. I've never considered myself a Norma Shearer fan (though I liked her in "The Women" and "Marie Antoinette"), but after seeing her in this I am hooked. She was absolutely wonderful & hilarious.

Many people pointed out that the film was worth seeing just to see Gable do the song and dance number & I agree. It was a total change of pace for him and he was a joy to watch.

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I tuned in because I had seen the Gable hoofing to Puttin' on the Ritz in a film traasury of stars forced to sing and dance. It's terrific bit with straw hat, cane, and Les Blondes.

And what a wonderful film!!! It sounded and looked pretty much like a stage play and I've since seen that it was from 1936. The dialog and cast of characters is worthy of Shakespeare.

Forgive me as a Stanwyck worshiper I thought she should have done this one. I seem to have missed Norma's film gems, but thought she was sensational in this role. Maybe no one but Greta or Barbara could have done as well.

I miss Big Band music and talented singers. Leonard Cohen is my idol. Civility, harmony, unity!

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It's a delight all right, and not idiotic in the slightest. Actually a fairly sophisticated, unique film that goes unexpected places and explores several deep themes.

As for those who dislike Norma Shearer in it -- her over-the-top performance was the whole point! Her character was a born drama queen, possibly a little insane. If she underplayed it, it wouldn't work at all.

If anything, I think the movie dwelt too long on Gable's sputtering stage career (the exception being the fun "Puttin' on the Ritz" number). The movie only shines when he and Shearer are together, or when the story reaches the mountains.

If you like Shearer in this, then try her in "We Were Dancing," another sophisticated, whimsical comedy that takes unexpected turns.

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