Customer Reviews

The French Line [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie is long out of print in VHS and, unfortunately, not yet available on DVD. This is a pity because it's one of Jane Russell's funnier and sexier films, though she wrote in her autobiography that she didn't much care for it. The famous "Lookin' for Trouble" sequence at the end of the movie was actually filmed at a middle distance to satisfy the censors, and Russell rejected the original outfit she was supposed to wear as being altogether too revealing. (Two different versions of this sequence, shot at closer range, have recently leaked out, and it's much to be hoped that they'll be included in a future legitimate DVD release.) By the way, if you want to see that original outfit, there's a photo of it in Russell's autobiography - this reviewer doesn't really think it shows any more than the one she actually wore, but your mileage may vary!

Watch for Kim Novak in an uncredited cameo as a fashion model(her first onscreen appearance)!

In this 1954 Howard Hughes Production.The film stars Jane Russell as a millionairess who is unlucky in love and goes on a cruise to find the right man.The movie got in trouble with the censors that showed her dancing in a bikini which was considered very controversial at the time although it was great publicity.It's a very cute and sexy movie especially for Jane Russell Fans!!

In this 1954 Howard Hughes Production.This film stars Jane Russell as a wealthy Texan heiress who is unlucky in love and goes on an ocean cruise to find the right man.The movie got in trouble with the censors that showed her dancing in a bikini which was considered very controversial at the time although it was great publicity.It's a very cute and sexy movie especially for Jane Russell Fans!!

This is a terrible movie. Jane Russell is fine - she sings well, she looks great. The plot, such as it is, makes no sense. Jane is supposed to be looking for a guy who is not interested in her money. Fine. But the guy who "loves" her was told at the beginning of the film that she was rich so there's no reason to think he's chasing her (and ends up with her)for anything BUT her money. And you wonder how he ends up with her at all when he spends most of the movie with the girl who is disguised as Jane's character - and why he was doing this was not explained. This leading man, Gilbert Roland, who's hair is so dyed black it absorbs light, is very miscast. At 49 he is, and looks, too old for Jane and while he might have been great as the Latin lover in the 1920's in this movie merely looks creepy. When he breaks into song - all too many times - his dubbed voice sounds nothing like his speaking voice. The music is so forgettable that I've forgotten it - for good reason. Jane's associate - a look alike for Gabby Hayes - only knows how to shout his lines (apparently this is supposed to be humorous) and the movie is better when he's off screen. Jane Russell needs a strong leading man. Her usual screen persona would have laughed Gilbert Roland out of the picture. She's much too down-to-earth for his kissing the hand and saying a meaningless "I love you" across the room. There was no chemistry between them. Where is Robert Mitchum when you need him?

A fun/campy film from the Fifties when the Catholic Church and the Legion of Decency ran shot-gun over the morals of the multitudes with the Legion's movie rating system. I always secretly wanted to grow up and be on the Legion's commission of reviewers!! Unfortunately, The French Line was rated "Condemned"--exactly the rating to tempt this very young Catholic school boy want to see what all the fuss was about; afterall, I liked Jane but she cost me a rather severe confessional penance.
I copied this movie onto VHS tape from a TV Cinemax showing many years ago and have watched it a number of times for kicks. Would really like to see a pristine fine resolution DVD---maybe even as a Jane Russell Collection of her fifties films---a Russell commentary would be great provided the poor woman could recall anything that far back---I don't think I could! I'd definitely buy it as it was a good example of the genre Hollywood attempted to showcase their sexy female stars of the Fifties. My dad loved the Technicolor process and musicals of the Fifties and dragged me to see alot of them. I suppose that's what gives me an extra appreciation for them.

Lovely Jane Russell vehicle with just the right mix of music and glamour.

Saw this film first in the early 70's and it has aged well.

This movie was kind of a chore to get through. It had a lot of elements that have been successful in the past: Jane Russell, cruising, Paris, songs (but neither catchy nor memorable) and pretty Dior-type dresses i.e. shortened ballgowns. It just didn't have the charm and talent of movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.