Kim Novak

I adore Kim Novak, who I sincerely believe was Hollywood's most beautiful star, ever. But I can't say I really enjoyed this film as much as Novak's other movies. Apart from the humour, which was too broad (anything scene in this film with Leo McKern in it was unwatchable), Novak didn't get to play to her greatest strengths here -- which were: vulnerable, needy characters. Moll is simply too strong, too practical, for Novak to bring out her most powerful emotional techniques. The viewer just doesn't quite fall in love with her in this role as much as one falls in love with her characters in Vertigo, BellBook&Candle, The Notorious Landlady, Middle of the Night, etc. While watching those films, one experiences an overwhelming sensation of love for her, a desire to step in the movie and care for her, protect her, worship her, treasure her and keep her safe.

Don't get me wrong -- I enjoyed watching the film, expressly for the precious opportunity to look at Kim Novak at the peak of her beauty. But as a performance, I prefer Novak in each of the films mentioned above, where her character was more vulnerable, more quintessentially feminine.

I will say this, though -- only Novak could have made Moll as sympathetic a character as she does. With any other actress in the role, Moll would have been an altogther unlikable character. That Novak could make even this character so sympathetic is a testatement to her greatness.