I used to make dinner reservations under the name Hamilton Bartholomew and always giggled inside at my own little joke. One time in Palm Springs the host looked at his little book and then paused and with a slight smile said, "we don't have anything for Hamilton Bartholomew but we do have a table for 2 for Carson Dyle."
I love Charade and it happens that my current work-in-progress is a mash-up of it, The Maltese Falcon and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, only the woman is a 68-year-old widow on her first-ever trip to Paris and the man is in his 30s and politely resists all attempts to make him define his sexuality.
What a joy it is to read this, your enthusiasm for this film is palpable. I saw it again recently and definitely noticed Walter M more than previous times. Also, I had a mustard coat much like the one Audrey wears near the end of the film. It was 60s vintage from a shop in San Francisco and I LOVED THAT COAT. I wore it until it fell apart beyond repair, but I still think about it 💛
This is everything a film appreciation should be. What made it an even more delicious read for me was that, believe it or not, I just saw Charade for the first time six months ago. I loved the movie but was confused at the end that Hitchcock had not made his usual cameo appearance. Imagine my surprise when I realized that he had not directed it. I am sure I am not alone in this. Anyway, another wonderful piece, making yours the best substack this side of the Seine.
It's in my top 5 favourite movies too, Summer. Perfect cast, perfect story. I first saw it as a kid watching Sunday afternoon movies. Tex's death was very chilling. The last time I watched it was about a month ago, when we bought a better print. We actually watched it twice in a row for comparison. Cary Grant, his aliases are too many to list here, drops Reggie off at her door, saying "here we are, on the street, where you live." Prescient, as she would have Jeremy Brett sing these lines to her the following year in My Fair Lady.
Charade is a terrific movie. My wife and I went to Paris for a delayed honeymoon/first anniversary and it was one of the happiest weeks of my adult life. Every day was an absolute joy, from the people to the food. One of the high points of the trip was having dinner at a little cafe when it started to snow—great big flakes, too. The street outside looked as if it was covered in diamonds.
May 11, 2023·edited May 11, 2023Liked by Summer Brennan
I've always adored this movie. And now that I am of an age (as was Cary Grant) I don't think he's old at all. In fact, he's deathly handsome (as always). We grow into our crushes sometimes. At 33, Audrey is young but very sophisticated, and it's a better match than Love in the Afternoon with Gary Cooper, who truly was embarrassed about the age difference. Together with The Thin Man, His Gal Friday, The Awful Truth, and Roman Holiday, Charade is a perfect movie.
I love this ode to charade - my comfort movie also and not just because I lust after Audrey Hepburn’s coats. I am so happy my teen daughter loves it too so it has become something we can watch together. And it’s in the public domain so anyone can watch it!
My husband studies British history. Spent a lot of time in London. Speaks with this strange sort of clipped accent that has made his students assume he’s British. We were married probably a few months when I realized what was familiar about the way he spoke. Yep, he sounds a little like Archibald Leach, so, of course I fell in love with him. Of course. How could you not?
For a while I had a real obsession with Audrey Hepburn movies and this was my favourite for a long time, I’ve always thought it was seriously underrated. It’s got it all, romance, action and comedy. Cary Grant being in it helps too 😋
I was talking about this film last night with another friend who is obsessed with it. I wrote about how I worried that I had killed both Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn by virtue of flying with them (and their both dying about 3 month after. It was a heavy burden, but it made me turn to Charade for comfort.
Old movies are my go to comfort. My mom raised me on old movies. Arsenic and Old Lace, Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday are just a few of my favorite Cary Grant movies. His comedy was just on point. No one besides maybe Lucille Ball could make me laugh like that. From comedy to Hitchcock he truly was the stuff of legends.
My comfort movie would be Summer Stock as that is my fave movie and musical of all time.
And for inspiration the one movie I’ll pull out in emergencies only is By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Doris Day). Something about seeing little boy Wesley write his mystery in bed that for whatever reason gets me wanting to do the same every time.
I could talk about old classics for ages. But I won’t. Great read and thanks for sharing.
Yes! I love this movie so much, and is in my rotation of movies I regularly rewatch. So much attention goes to other Hepburn films (and they are great!) but this one and How to Steal a Million are my favs, united in silliness.
I used to make dinner reservations under the name Hamilton Bartholomew and always giggled inside at my own little joke. One time in Palm Springs the host looked at his little book and then paused and with a slight smile said, "we don't have anything for Hamilton Bartholomew but we do have a table for 2 for Carson Dyle."
My date was befuddled.
I love Charade and it happens that my current work-in-progress is a mash-up of it, The Maltese Falcon and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, only the woman is a 68-year-old widow on her first-ever trip to Paris and the man is in his 30s and politely resists all attempts to make him define his sexuality.
What a joy it is to read this, your enthusiasm for this film is palpable. I saw it again recently and definitely noticed Walter M more than previous times. Also, I had a mustard coat much like the one Audrey wears near the end of the film. It was 60s vintage from a shop in San Francisco and I LOVED THAT COAT. I wore it until it fell apart beyond repair, but I still think about it 💛
I also absolutely love this movie, and this piece is fantastic; it drives like the movie does, fast, changing, fun; & it was a lovely read.
This is everything a film appreciation should be. What made it an even more delicious read for me was that, believe it or not, I just saw Charade for the first time six months ago. I loved the movie but was confused at the end that Hitchcock had not made his usual cameo appearance. Imagine my surprise when I realized that he had not directed it. I am sure I am not alone in this. Anyway, another wonderful piece, making yours the best substack this side of the Seine.
It's in my top 5 favourite movies too, Summer. Perfect cast, perfect story. I first saw it as a kid watching Sunday afternoon movies. Tex's death was very chilling. The last time I watched it was about a month ago, when we bought a better print. We actually watched it twice in a row for comparison. Cary Grant, his aliases are too many to list here, drops Reggie off at her door, saying "here we are, on the street, where you live." Prescient, as she would have Jeremy Brett sing these lines to her the following year in My Fair Lady.
Charade is a terrific movie. My wife and I went to Paris for a delayed honeymoon/first anniversary and it was one of the happiest weeks of my adult life. Every day was an absolute joy, from the people to the food. One of the high points of the trip was having dinner at a little cafe when it started to snow—great big flakes, too. The street outside looked as if it was covered in diamonds.
I've always adored this movie. And now that I am of an age (as was Cary Grant) I don't think he's old at all. In fact, he's deathly handsome (as always). We grow into our crushes sometimes. At 33, Audrey is young but very sophisticated, and it's a better match than Love in the Afternoon with Gary Cooper, who truly was embarrassed about the age difference. Together with The Thin Man, His Gal Friday, The Awful Truth, and Roman Holiday, Charade is a perfect movie.
I love this ode to charade - my comfort movie also and not just because I lust after Audrey Hepburn’s coats. I am so happy my teen daughter loves it too so it has become something we can watch together. And it’s in the public domain so anyone can watch it!
Watching Charade tonight. Thank you for your words and for always making me smile.
My husband studies British history. Spent a lot of time in London. Speaks with this strange sort of clipped accent that has made his students assume he’s British. We were married probably a few months when I realized what was familiar about the way he spoke. Yep, he sounds a little like Archibald Leach, so, of course I fell in love with him. Of course. How could you not?
For a while I had a real obsession with Audrey Hepburn movies and this was my favourite for a long time, I’ve always thought it was seriously underrated. It’s got it all, romance, action and comedy. Cary Grant being in it helps too 😋
I was talking about this film last night with another friend who is obsessed with it. I wrote about how I worried that I had killed both Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn by virtue of flying with them (and their both dying about 3 month after. It was a heavy burden, but it made me turn to Charade for comfort.
Old movies are my go to comfort. My mom raised me on old movies. Arsenic and Old Lace, Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday are just a few of my favorite Cary Grant movies. His comedy was just on point. No one besides maybe Lucille Ball could make me laugh like that. From comedy to Hitchcock he truly was the stuff of legends.
My comfort movie would be Summer Stock as that is my fave movie and musical of all time.
And for inspiration the one movie I’ll pull out in emergencies only is By the Light of the Silvery Moon (Doris Day). Something about seeing little boy Wesley write his mystery in bed that for whatever reason gets me wanting to do the same every time.
I could talk about old classics for ages. But I won’t. Great read and thanks for sharing.
Yes! I love this movie so much, and is in my rotation of movies I regularly rewatch. So much attention goes to other Hepburn films (and they are great!) but this one and How to Steal a Million are my favs, united in silliness.
I've seen it many times, and this rings very true, and makes me want to watch it again.