3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Political Satire, and Light, Wacky Comedy, September 8, 2010
This review is from: Storm in a Teacup [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"Storm in a Teacup" is a British satire - filmed in the early 1930's- of American screwball comedy. It struck me just odd and mesmerizing at same time - seeing Vivien Leigh and Rex Harrison very early in their careers playing off-beat charming characters. Rex Harrison (I hardly recognized him) plays a English reporter (Frank Brudon) who lands in a small Scottish town. He gets an interview (it even shows him taking Greg Shorthand) with the Provost (Cecil Parker) who is dictating his achievements and full of himself. Brudon changes the story around to focus on an ice cream vendor, Mrs. Hegarty, who won't buy her dog a license and the Provost, along with other authorities, threaten to kill it. The revised story sparks a revolt in the small town and threatens the positions of people in power.
One scene stuck out as goofy as Brudon was eating oatmeal, salting, buttering it - trying to get it down - and exclaiming he did not know how the Scotts ate porridge for breakfast every morning. We even get a close-up of the bowl of oatmeal that he exclaims horses should eat. Another scene involves the Scottish game of golf played with Rex and Vivian Leigh (who plays the Provost's daughter). There is much dialogue on when Vivian Leigh should call "Fore!" - before or after she hits the ball. I sat there wondering why I thought this was interesting.
Political pettiness is magnified through the goofy plot that Mrs. Hegarty's dog is impounded because it had no license. There is a fine that could have been paid by anyone at anytime, but the whole film dithers around the dog and its license. All the local officials and elites give fuel to the insane situations ending up in a court of law with crazy witnesses and pompous officials.
"Storm in a Teacup" is such an odd movie, I don't think I can erase it from my mind. The satire was soft, but definitely there. It is such an early film with dry, dry humor it is worth the watch for a few smiles and look at earliest work of Leigh and Harrison.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely delightful!, January 2, 2009
This review is from: Storm in a Teacup [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Wonderful little film, a must for those who have a soft spot in their hearts for Scotland and their ways. Rex and Vivien are a joy to watch. Both Leonard Maltin's Guide and the New York Times gave it very high ratings and they did not lead us astray.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Storm In a Teacup, September 17, 2011
This review is from: Storm in a Teacup [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Saw this film first on TV. It is a fun film if you like dogs. Has a fuuny scene with umteen dogs running amuck through a grand old English home.
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