41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
improbably profound, April 2, 2002
This review is from: Ruggles of Red Gap [VHS] (VHS Tape)
On first viewing this seems an unlikely choice for a conservative film list. Charles Laughton plays Marmaduke Ruggles, a proper British butler
whose dipsomaniacal master (Roland Young) loses him in a Paris poker game to a couple of social-climbing American rubes, Effie and Egbert
Floud. Mrs. Floud expects Ruggles to instruct her husband in proper manners and appropriate dress, but Mr. Floud sees him mostly as a partner in
crime, insisting that Ruggles sit and drink with him. For whatever reason, Laughton plays Ruggles with a kind of bug-eyed vacancy, staring off at
some point in space, perhaps to convey the sense that as a manservant he's not entitled to look anyone in the eyes, as if he were their equal. But
when the three travel back to Red Gap, Washington, Ruggles is greeted by the locals with democratic bonhomie and soon begins to think about
leaving service. Predictable zaniness and madcappery follow before Ruggles proves himself a worthy American and the equal of any man.
This is all handled with the typical, sometimes delightful, gusto of Hollywood's Golden Age but hardly seems remarkable. Then comes a scene that
is so absurdly moving that it's nearly embarrassing. Sitting around the local saloon, Mr. Floud, his mother, and the other patrons try remembering the
words of the Gettysburg Address but are unable to do so. Then, quietly at first, but with mounting intensity, as all attention focuses on him, Ruggles
recites the speech from memory to a hushed and obviously transported room. Laughton imbues Lincoln's words with such feeling and such hope that
it's like hearing them for the first time. The realization that this menial, who has only arrived in America by sheerest chance, has been nurturing a
quintessentially American dream of freedom is improbably but profoundly touching and elevates a pretty good film into a classic.
GRADE : A
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charles Laughton is Fabulous as RUGGLES OF RED GAP, August 2, 1999
This review is from: Ruggles of Red Gap [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Whether you are a fan of Laughton's or not is of no consequence--you will enjoy RUGGLES OF RED GAP. His transformation from subservient valet to independent man is as engrossing and entertaining as it gets. I admit, I wasn't too sure I could imagine him in a comedic role, but he plays Ruggles superbly! His supporting cast shines as he does: Mary Boland, Zasu Pitts, and Charles Ruggles are terrific! The way Ruggles recites the Gettysberg Address at the end of the movie is unforgetable, and when all the patrons of his diner begin to sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and tears fill up in his eyes, well...it just doesn't get any better than this! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the funniest movies ever made! A treasure!, February 26, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Ruggles of Red Gap [VHS] (VHS Tape)
When I first heard of the 1935 film "Ruggles of Red Gap", I thought it was a movie about the life of actor Charlie Ruggles. Since Charlie Ruggles was one of Hollywood's most talented performers of that era, I knew the movie couldn't be bad. Charlie stars in this film but ironically doesn't play "Ruggles". He and Mary Boland play the ever bickering Mr. and Mrs. Floud, who win a servant (played by Charles Laughton) in a poker game. The movie is extremely hilarious from beginning to end with one comical act after another. My favorite was the scene in which Effie Floud insisted on "refining" her husband Egbert, with new clothes, a haircut and trimmed moustache. After finally being forced into a new suit, Egbert grumbles, "I look like that bantam rooster I had before it was run over." In which Effie retorts, "When you came in here you looked like that bantam rooster AFTER he was run over!" It's a sidesplitting hour and a half laugh track in the spirit of "Bringing Up Baby" and "The Awful Truth".
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