Daddy Long Legs [Blu-ray]

Director: Jean Negulesco Jean Negulesco

Overview

This last remake (thus far) of the Jean Webster novel Daddy Long Legs was extensively revised to accommodate the talents of Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron. Fragments of the basic plot remain: American millionaire Astaire is the unknown benefactor of French orphan girl Caron, financing the girl's education on the proviso that his identity never be revealed to her. Moved by Caron's letters of thanks, Astaire's secretary Thelma Ritter advises Astaire to go to France to visit the "child." When he arrives, he finds that his ward has grown up rather nicely, and the two fall in love--though Caron never knows until the very end who Astaire really is. The old story has been updated to allow for an elaborate "cowboy" number and a couple of Eisenhower jokes. Highlights include a solo ballet by Caron and a wonderful Astaire routine involving a set of drums. The score for Daddy Long Legs is unremarkable save for Johnny Mercer's hit "Something's Gotta Give."

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2016
UPC:	0738329206239
Original Release:	1955
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Sales rank:	24,053

Special Features

Audio commentary by film historian Ken Barnes and Ava Astaire McKenzie ; Movietone News with optional commentary by film historian Ken Barnes and Ava Astaire McKenzie; Daddy Long Legs London premiere; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Fred Astaire	Jervis Pendleton III/John Smith
Leslie Caron	Julie Andre
Terry Moore	Linda Pendleton
Thelma Ritter	Alicia Pritchard
Fred Clark	Griggs
Charlotte Austin	Sally
Larry Keating	Alexander Williamson
Kathryn Givney	Gertrude
Kelly Brown	Jimmy McBride
Sara Shane	Pat
Numa Lapeyre	Jean
Ann Codee	Mme. Sevanne
Steven Geray	Emile
Percival Vivian	Professor
Hellen Van Tuyl	College Dean
Damian O'Flynn	Larry Hamilton
Joseph Kearns	Guide
Charles Anthony Hughes	Hotel Manager,Delivery Man
Ralph Dumke	Mr. Bronson
Kathryn Card	Mrs. Carrington
Tim Johnson	Bellhop
Harry Seymour	Cab Driver
Olan Soule	Assistant Hotel Manager
George Dunn	Chauffeur
Larry Kent	Butler
Ray Anthony Orchestra	Actor
Gertrude Astor	Woman
Paul Bradley	Second Jeweler
Janice Carroll	Athetic Girl Dancer
David Hoffman	Jeweler
Elizabeth Patterson	Actor
Paul Power	Commission Member
Carleton Young	Commission Member
Johnny Mercer	Composer
Alfred Newman	Composer
Alex North	Composer

Technical Credits

Henry Ephron

Samuel G. Engel	Producer
Jean Negulesco	Director
Henry Ephron	Screenwriter,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The fact that Fred Astaire was often considerably older than his partners can be problematic, and is especially so in Daddy Long Legs. More than 30 years the senior of co-star Leslie Caron, this might not have been important if the story had not centered around a very young college girl and her much older guardian and the romance that eventually blooms between them. While the filmmakers go out of the way to bowdlerize the situation, there's still something uncomfortable about the whole set-up; it verges on the unsavory, even with someone as respectable as Astaire. That aside, the screenplay itself is acceptable -- not exceptional, but the structure is fine and there are a number of good lines. It's not musicalized as well as it might have been; as far as songs go, there's really only one "book" number (although that one is the marvelous "Something's Gotta Give"). The first dream ballet, in which Caron wonders about her mysterious guardian angel, is well danced by Astaire (and features the unforgettable sight of Fred in cowboy boots and cowboy hat), but doesn't add up to much. The second ballet, in which Caron imagines herself seeking Astaire in three different settings, including Rio at Carnavale time, is much better (and sports some very eye-catching sets and costumes). And the "Sluefoot" number is very well staged. Individually, the two stars are both winning and appealing, but together they don't set off sparks romantically or even as dancers (their styles don't quite mesh). Thelma Ritter is quite good in a part which draws a bit more on her sensitive side and less on her wisecracking persona. This would be Astaire's only musical for Fox.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler