Rent So Long at the Fair (1950)

A classic from Britain's great film heritage - So Long at the Fair review by MD

I have never recalled ever watching "So Long at the Fair" on television as I was growing up or indeed anytime afterwards.This was,quite frankly a surprise,but all the more pleasurable now having seen it,as it only confirmed my feelings about how good many films are from our cinematic past.Then it was all about story and character,backed by solid directing,cinematography and editing.

Made in 1950,"So Long at the Fair" has a basic narrative structure ,supported by the very best of Film craftsmanship.

Terence Fisher (later synonomous with the great Hammer Films) stages the action in his unique style and appreciation of the film frame.

True, the plot,does have one obvious hole in the middle,but in spite of this the combination of all the other top quality elements,plus the added bonus of two young British actors at the beginning of their careers,more than make up for this irregularity.

A classic British Film.An hour and a half well spent.

Gaslight Melodrama. - So Long at the Fair review by Steve

Charming gaslight melodrama based on a 19th century urban myth. Jean Simmons stars as a young, romantic English rose at the 1889 Paris Exposition with her brother (David Tomlinson) who suddenly and mysteriously disappears. As does his room, and any memory of his existence among the hotel staff.

Of course, it is a familiar story often told but this conveys an eerie sense of muted hysteria beneath the late Victorian gentility. It’s a fine vehicle for Simmons which won her a Hollywood contract. Eventually Dirk Bogarde comes to her aid as an aristocratic Brit studying art…

They produce zero sparks as a romantic couple, but are both uncommonly beautiful. It’s a handsome costume drama which might better have been filmed in Technicolor. Still, it benefits from an extensive location shoot in the French capital. And a glorious support cast.

The motifs which made the legend a proto-urban myth, still resonate. Particularly of the innocent alone in a foreign country, unfamiliar with the customs or language and unable to trust anyone. This is genteel melodrama; there are no jump scares. But has value as an eternal folk tale, and full of period atmosphere.