Customer Reviews

Amazing Adventure

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Cary Grant plays modern day Buddha in this classic movie set in London (1937) during the post depression era. Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) temporarily gives up his riches to become working poor to understand his apparent illness, and seek enlightenment. He rents an apartment in from an old lady who is compassionate and understanding. He works for a limousine service company as a driver where he meets a caring worker. He falls in love with a young woman named Frances Clayton (Mary Brian), and learns a crucial thing in life; to be in love, the lady doesn't have to be beautiful or wealthy, but all heart will do. During his adventure; he sees life, people, poverty, suffering, and sadness. He understands that people in spite of all uncertainties in life find happiness with what they have, and they care about another human being. He gradually realizes that his wealth is an obstacle in pursuit of happiness and to have peace in eternal life. Cary Grant has performed brilliantly with his usual caliber and charm, but I was impressed most with the performance of Mary Brian, who is loving, yet so vulnerable in life. My favorite scenes are when she interviews Ernest Bliss for his first job and later when he proposes to her on the steps of the building Frances works. This is a heart warming movie which doesn't have Christmas theme or set in Christmas time, but very appropriate for Christmas time viewing.

Niche market mfrs. such as MIRACLE PICTURES offer no commentary, deleted scenes, subtitles or other bonus features. Dubs are "best available source" and can vary from very good to only fair.


British-made THE AMAZING ADVENTURE (originally "The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss") features a low-key Cary Grant at the top of his game as an indolent son of wealth who attempts to earn his physician's respect by betting he can forsake family riches and comfort and make his way in the world for a year, starting with only a small wardrobe and £5 in his pocket.

In this typical mid-Depression Era romantic comedy, uppercrust Bliss gets an education in how the working class lives. Along the way he also finds compassion for his fellow creature, becomes a better man himself, falls in love with a real sweety (Miss Brian) and wins his wager with the doctor.

It's another take on MY MAN GODFREY (1936) or SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS (1941), and almost a reversal of the FINIAN'S RAINBOW song, "When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich," although here Cary successfully transitions from idle rich to being gainfully employed, as first an appliance salesman and then a chauffeur. It's not a movie classic, but "The Amazing Adventure" is pleasant enough, never drags, and is a definite treat for us Archibald Leach devotees. Recommended.


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.

(6.3) The Amazing Adventure (1936) - Cary Grant/Mary Brian/Peter Gawthorne/Henry Kendall

I do like this movie. A poor recording but the movie itself is light hearted, witty and charming. Worth buying, worth watching.