Customer Reviews

The Honey Pot [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fun movie directed and written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Rex Harrison is excellent as Cecil Fox a reputed millionaire who lives in Venice. After attending a performance of Volpone Harrison decides to have some mischievous fun with three of his ex-mistresses. Pretending that he is dying he gets the three of them (Edie Adams, Capucine, and Susan Hayward) to come to Venice to see how they each react. Do they want to be near him or his money? The plot gets complicated as Harrison plays each one against the other two and an elaborate murder plot develops. It's a very interesting and amusing film. It also features Maggie Smith, Cliff Robertson, Adolfo Celi, and Herschel Bernardi.

***** 1967. Written for the screen and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The film is inspired by Ben Jonson Volpone (New Mermaids), Frederick Knott's MR. FOX OF VENICE and Thomas Sterling's The Evil of the Day. THE HONEY POT is a firework of wit and unforgettable lines and a lesson of mise-en-scene.

Strange that the actual only DVD release of this masterpiece comes from Spain. But, believe me, this DVD is worth the extra money you'll spend for it. The copy is gorgeous and comes with, apart from the dubbed Spanish versions (2.0 and 5.1), the original English version with optional English subtitles. A gallery of photos, a synopsis and a few trailers as bonus features. You can also find here VHS versions if you want : The Honey Pot and Honey Pot.

The sensational script by Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1967 based on a play by the author of Alfred Hichkock's Dial M for Murder Frederick Knott. A rich man, expertly played by Rex Harrison invites three old girlfriends to hear his will. The three, a European Princess, elegantly played by Capucine, a Hollywood actress, played by Edie Adams with cool vivacity and another played by Susan Hayward he was involved with years ago in the Southwest and she is definitely ready to eliminate the competition. She is waited on by nurse, perfectly played by a lofty Maggie Smith. The host is assisted by an actor he hires wonderfully played by Cliff Robertson. Adolfo Celi rounds at the sensational cast and fortunately there is no overacting to ruin this perfect material. I first saw this more than forty years ago was to young then to appreciate its extreme sophistication. I will never tire of it!

It is soon known that Cecil Fox rich eccentric is about to pass away. Finding out about Cecil's (Rex Harrison) condition three of his old lovers' (Susan Hayward, Capucine, and Edie Adams) return to comfort and be near his money, oops I mean near him at the end. Little do they know what they are in for?

This forms a competition to see who can be the most comfort to him. It appears that Cecil has no choice but to take advantage of the situation that he set up based on the play Valpone. His personal secretary and stage manager William Mcfly (Cliff Robertson) is the catalyst. He is also a wild card in the play.

Oh yes, did I mention the possibility of murder?

One wily master-manipulator, three lovely women, Joseph L. Mankiewicz's masterfully rendered plot and dialogue. What the craft of acting and writing and film to document them were invented for. A maserpiece that should be required viewing for acting and writing classes. This one for your library of classics, and watch it at least once a year.

When I saw this film years ago, I was puzzled by a player who was unknown for me and your reviews do not even mention. As the plot moved on, I felt enthusiastic about this character gradually controlling the story as well as the screen. I never write reviews, but the performance of Maggie Smith, one of the best actress ever, must be acknowledged. Sorry you have not released a Region 1 version of the film; I was able to enjoy it again but most of readers are just missing it, its final...and she.

I won't go into plot details except an eccentric man plays a trick on three of his mistress' pretending he is dying (Susan Hayward, Capucine, Edie Adams).

During filming there was a great deal of trouble. Susan's husband was sick and had to be flown back to FL. The crew shot around her. Her husband passed away and she went back to finish the movie. Some of her scenes were never finished and cut. The famous "dream sequence" between Susan and Rex has never been restored.

Susan was given lead female billing but is bumped off in the first 45 minutes of the film, but the witty script allows her to outshine the other gals with her sharp, retorts. She was the liveliest part of this sometimes dull movie, so why kill her off so quickly?

Still worth watching and I'm glad to finally see it on DVD!

This one really ought to be a classic, instead of a forgotten film getting the inferior print-on-demand treatment. It's available for streaming video on Netflix, which is where I saw it. Rex Harrison is fantastic. Maggie Smith is a joy as always. I think this might be her first film role. Capucine is lovely and a commanding presence. Wish there were more movies like this one. Easily bares repeat viewing, if only for the joy of the English language Smith and Harrison provide in beautiful tones.

It is soon known that Cecil Fox rich eccentric is about to pass away. Finding out about Cecil's (Rex Harrison) condition three of his old lovers' invited to return to comfort him and be near his money, oops I mean near him at the end.

Little do they know what they are in for? This forms a competition to see who can be the most comfort to him. It appears that Cecil has no choice but to take advantage of the situation that he set up based on a play "Valpone" by Ben Johnson. His personal secretary and stage manager William Mcfly (Cliff Robertson) is the catalyst. He is also a wild card in the play.
Oh yes, did I mention the possibility of murder?

Volpone (New Mermaid Series)