The Moribund the Merrier
In case you are interested and have the money, Meryl Streep and Al Pacino are available for the remake of “Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Town.” You can’t quite envision any demand for that? Apparently, you were not at the studio meeting that made the brilliant decision to remake “The Women.”
You have seen the original–or at least 15 minutes of it. Made in 1939, it is one of those cute if quaint movies you stumble upon at Turner Classic Movies. You enjoy the arch but clever dialogue from the all-female cast–Rosalind Russell, Joan Crawford, Paulette Goddard, Joan Fontaine–although you can’t quite recognize the star. (Her name was Norma Shearer.) You might wonder if any one of them is still alive: Joan Fontaine thanks you for your concern. And someday you intend to see the entire film…if only you can remember to tape it.
But this was the movie that Hollywood just had to remake. Updated to reflect our less constrained and more cosmopolitan society–venereal but with ethnic diversity–the film stars Meg Ryan (and her collagen), Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith and Eva Mendes. As for the results–both critical and box office–you can sense the disaster from the desperate tone of the advertising “blurbs” for the film.
“Punctual“–The New York Times
“Mommy Looks Pretty“–Eva Beatty
“If Eva Mendes Doesn’t Have a Green Card, She Certainly Deserves One“–The National Review
“Norma Shearer is Great“–Larry King
On the other hand, the prospect of Clare Booth Luce turning over in her grave is not too unpleasant.
Larry King said it best. Thank you.