Frenchman’s Creek **** (1944, Joan Fontaine, Arturo de Córdova, Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce) – Classic Movie Review 5431

Director Mitchell Leisen’s 1944 romance adventure drama finds Joan Fontaine profitably returning to the world of Daphne de Maurier, who provided her with her Hitchcock hit Rebecca.

Fontaine stars as the titled romantic Englishwoman, Lady Dona St Columb, who falls for Arturo de Córdova as the dashing French gentleman pirate, just called The Frenchman.

This vivacious and delightful swashbuckling romantic 17th-century Cornish-set historical tosh is skillfully adapted by Talbot Jennings from the Daphne de Maurier best-selling novel.

The movie is also notable for the welcome re-appearance of the Sherlock Holmes movies duo Basil Rathbone (as the villain Lord Rockingham) and Nigel Bruce (as the nice squire Lord Godolphin).

The story is diverting, the acting is amusing, there is a smashing score by Victor Young and it all looks absolutely marvellous in Technicolor thanks to George Barnes’s superb cinematography and Hans Dreier and Ernst Fegté’s Oscar-winning production designs. The plush production and smooth, polished direction from Leisen complete a very fine Hollywood package.

Also in the cast are Cecil Kellaway, Ralph Forbes, Moyna McGill, George Kirby, Harold Ramond, Billy Daniels, Patricia Barker, David James, Mary Field, David Clyde, Charles Coleman, Paul Oman, Evan Thomas and Leslie Denison.

The Oscar went to Hans Dreier, Ernst Fegté and Sam Comer for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Color.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5431

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