MovieChat Forums > Bluebeard (1972) Discussion > Was it intentionally supposed to be funn...

Was it intentionally supposed to be funny?


I'm refering to the singing segment with Virna Lisa, which was hilarious. Also the Raquel Welch segment which was very funny. I laughed out loud during these segments, but I suspect they were supposed to be "serious" by 1972 standards?

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Hard to believe that this was meant to be anything but funny. The bad dialogue, impossible premise and numerous inconsistencies just had to be intentional.

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Not to mention Burton's facial expressions when the various women were trying to seduce him. I read some remarks from the director which indicated Burton was incredibly drunk throughout the making of the film and could barely function of the set. The results show! But he's a pillar of brilliance compared to Joey Heatherton. She is impossibly bad!

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Hi, general. Did you watch this on the recent DVD version released by Lionsgate? If so, what's the quality like?

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diana - the Lionsgate quality is excellent. Definitely buy it.

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I have to place this on record. While in Budapest (Easter 1972) a Swiss friend and I stumbled (literally!) on a film crew who were filming in the restaurant where we hoped to dine. As we stood there wondering where to go next, we were aproached by a very ordinary-looking guy dressed in a white shirt and grey slacks. He very kindly asked if he could help us. Unbelievably,we realised immediately that our helper was Richard Burton himself. Absolutely sober and incredibly friendly. He told us he was filming "Bluebeard" and took us on a tour of the trailers occupied by some of the other actors. He introduced me to Nathalie Delon as his " first cousin", he being Welsh and me Irish! So, Richard Burton, a terrific human being and wonderfully down-to-earth. And, if he did have a drink or two in Budapest, well, wasn't he entitled? As well as his "Bluebeard" project he was celebrating Liz's 40'th birthday . Slainte to you, Liz, a chroi, and God rest Richard's beautiful soul!

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Did it have the enema sequence intact where squid milk is forced up some peep's anus?

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

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As a young teenager, I saw this film on its original theatrical release and yes -- the audiences saw the movie as 'campy' right from the beginning, and those sequences mentioned were indeed played for laughs. So no, it wasn't unintentional.

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There is much intentional humor in the film. With the exception of the American, Anne(Joey Heatherton), Bluebeard's other wives are viewed as somewhat annoying or unlikable. In its day it was a BO success and its humor understood. IMHO Bluebeard is entertaing trash like 2 of Dymytrk's other films: Where Love Has Gone and The Carpetbaggers both released in 1964.

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The first time I saw it on tape a generation ago, I was appalled and did not catch the humor. IT's much better on the Lionsgate DVD (beautiful quality) and I could finally see it was being played for laughs. Thus, the incredibly AWFUL "Special effects," i.e. the plaster models used for "bodies."

"Why do people always laugh in the wrong places?"
--Richard Burton

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RB getting a shot in the crotch coupled by his in-cred-i-ble expression of pain and surprise! Supposed to be funny? What else but! And, you know, considering its Richard Burton...its kind of refreshing!!

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I think it is meant to be funny "bluebeard" who has a BLUE beard? (yes, I know it was a chemical accident but wtf!)

I really like the illusive references to "blue beard" being gay.. like playing a organ piano for his mother for 5 minutes.. and the way the american wife sniffs out and kind of calls him that towards the end..

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