Customer Reviews

Goodbye; My Fancy

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

 

 

This is one 3 forgettable pictures (the other 2 being "Female on the Beach" and "This Woman is Dangerous") that Joan made during the '50s that have been somewhat hard-to-find. Besides a laser disc more than 10 years ago, "Goodbye, My Fancy" has never been released on any other format. This film reminds me of a cross between "Autumn Leaves" and "The Story of Esther Costello".

In this film, Joan plays a college alumni who returns to her alma matter to receive an honorary degree. There's also a subplot concerning Agatha (Joan's character) and an old flame. However, the plot moves around a lot and doesn't have a centric theme. It's almost like one of those pictures that just goes on for a bit before ending. It wasn't a bad movie though.

Here is a list of all of the recent Joan Crawford DVDs that Warner Bros. put out this year (note: none of these films have been remastered and are not special issues and everything is on DVD-minus-R):
Spring Fever (silent) (1927)
Dance Fools Dance (1931)
Laughing Sinners (1931)
Possessed (1931)
Chained (1934)
Forsaking All Others (1934)
Love on the Run (1936)
Mannequin (1938)
The Shining Hour (1938)
The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939)
When Ladies Meet (1941)
Hollywood Canteen (titled: Warner Bros. and the Homefront Collection) (1944)
It's a Great Feeling (titled: TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection) (1949)
Goodbye, My Fancy (1950)
This Woman is Dangerous (1952)
Go here to see a list of links for each of these films, on the studio's officail site (which is much less than what these sellers are offering them for).

Although I think everyone should watch all of Joan's movies because they all have a historical importance (not to mention a large entertainment value), I have to say that I find the price of this film absolutely obscene. How can anyone justify charging such a large sum for such an old film like this that is often shown on television (TCM)? I am 100% certain that Joan would not be happy about this. She would never approve of her fans being overcharged, especially during a recession. However out of respect for Joan, I will not take off a single star from my rating of this movie.

I enjoyed viewing this movie from 1951. I had read the articles that talked about Joan Crawford's rude treatment of Janice Rule, but even knowing this was taking place in the background, the movie was fun. I am glad the movies that have not been available on video before are being released. My only disappointment has been the warning that it might not play on a DVD-R. I can only play this one on my DVD-R; it will not play at all on the DVD-player I have in another room. The picture is nice and clear. Get the movie, sit back, and enjoy! I did.

I was looking and noticed that all of the new Joan Crawford releases sold on Amazon are being sold by 3rd party vendors. You can purchase the same DVD through Warner Brothers for 19.95 a savings of over $20 from what these 3rd party sellers are asking for in price. Visit the following link to visit WB Archive collection:
[...]

Another rare movie of Joan's that has finally found a home on DVD. This along with a dozen other rare Crawford titles are availble on the Warner Brother's website at cheaper prices as well; among the films for sale are "Mannequin", "This Woman Is Dangerous", and "Ice Follies of 1939".
"Goodbye, My Fancy" tells the tale of a congresswoman, played by Joan, who returns to her alma mater to receive an honorary degree. Once back at her former college she encounters the university's president with whom she once had a love affair with. The president of the university is played by long-time Crawford friend Robert Young, with whom Crawford co-starred with in "The Shining Hour". Young would go on to television fame in "Marcus Welby, MD". In 1970 when daughter Christina landed a guest star part on Young's TV series Joan was not at all impressed. Joan hung up on Christina upon hearing the news, and Crawford told a friend that the only reason her daughter called was to brag about the guest star part when she knew full well that "Marcus Welby" was the one show she(Joan) always wanted to be on.
Joan is also reunited with her former "Mildred Pierce" co-star Eve Arden, who plays Joan's secretary.
"Goodbye, My Fancy" is not an excellent film by any means, but it's entertaining. This film was directed by Vincent Sherman, who was having an affair with Joan at the time of filming. It would be the last picture Sherman would direct Crawford in; the first two were "Harriet Craig" and "The Damned Don't Cry".
This DVD has no bonus features.