MovieChat Forums > Frenchman's Creek (1944) Discussion > Hasn't been on TV in years, until today ...

Hasn't been on TV in years, until today on TCM

posted 8 years ago by laxlon
7 replies | jump to latest

This movie is compared to Rebecca because it was written by Daphne DuMaurier and stars Joan Fontaine.

While it isn't as good as Rebecca, it still has a lot going for it.
• Technicolor and beautiful photography on the spectacular northern California coast.
• Joan Fontaine beautifully coifed and gowned.
• Super romantic story.
• Great character actors in supporting roles.

The negatives.
• Arturo de Córdova. The best leading men were off at war. Burt Lancaster or Tyrone Power would have added a lot.
• The wigs and costumes are over the top, they look ridiculous

One more thing. The print shown today on TCM was the worst print I've ever seen on a TCM film. It was totally washed out, overexposed. All the rich Technicolor I've seen in other prints of this film was lost in this print. It should be thrown out.

[–] smrhyne-1 8 years ago

I saw it for the first time today. I was anxious to see it, since I read the book last year. I agree that the color looks washed out. What's up with that? While not as good as "Rebecca", it is better than "Jamaica Inn" and "Hungry Hill". I am not a big fan of Fontaine, but she looks lovely in this movie. Arturo de Cordova is ok, but I can think of several others who would have been much better

[–] boxerrebellion 8 years ago

I was quite surprised at the colour in the outdoor scenes; I've rarely seen TCM movies in this shape.

I was glad to see de Cordova in this - the way he moved was quite sexy and it surprised me. Just little gestures.. I'm sure others would have been different, and possibly better - but I really enjoyed his performance in this.

[–] jm31315 8 years ago

I was interested in seeing "Frenchman's Creek" last night as I don't remember it ever being on television, or if it has, it's been in the very distant past. The film, as many others, was released under Universal/MCA ownership with something on the credits indicating that the print came from the early cable television era. We got the film, but it had some condition issues which took away from the Technicolor qualities. This was a shame as the film was built on decor and costumes, some of which are over the top yet historically correct, and some of which are over the top, but not historically correct.

I liked Mr. de Cordova, and believe he was also in "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Cable television does indeed occasionally broadcast motion pictures which are in need of conservation and thus keeps us aware of the challenge. I'm not sure how Mr. Leisen's "Frenchman's Creek" ranks on the list, but I would like to see a color-corrected print sometime in the future.

[–] Casey-52 8 years ago

Yeah I'm surprised at this print! Universal released a DVD of it recently. Has anyone seen it to compare?

[–] lastmidnite2 8 years ago

TCM's version of And Then There Were None is completely unwatchable. Totally faded and voices out of sync. I have an excellent dvd version from Image Entertainment, so there's really no excuse.

[–] EliotTempleton 8 years ago

I have the Universal disc. While not pristine, it's far better than the print that TCM keeps showing this year.

[–] sexorcist6969 8 years ago

It was so washed out (color) I couldn't watch it.