ANTHONY ASQUITH

Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB. 

United Kingdom, 1963.  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, De Grunwald Productions.  Screenplay by Terence Rattigan.  Cinematography by Jack Hildyard.  Produced by Anatole de Grunwald. Music by Miklos Rozsa.  Production Design by William Kellner.  Costume Design by Pierre Cardin.  Film Editing by Frank Clarke.  

Jolly, multi-casted romp about the jet set that transcends its Sidney Sheldon-esque trappings by featuring characters actually worth caring about. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton head a large group of famous names who all play passengers on a flight leaving London for America that is delayed because of blasted English fog.  Trouble is, most of these characters absolutely must leave the country right away or their problems will increase to a lethal level–Liz is leaving Burton for lover Louis Jourdan, Orson Welles is trying to avoid paying his taxes, and Rod Taylor (in one of his few American roles where he used his real Australian accent) needs to save his small business from takeover by getting to New York as soon as possible. Terence Rattigan’s script is witty and simple, and all the stories are fun to follow, none better than Rod Taylor and his relationship with his secretary, played in a very early role by an unstoppable Maggie Smith.  Liz is beautiful and indomitable in the lead; not one of her better parts, but still solid proof that she was, and always will be, a star. Margaret Rutherford shines as a Duchess who doesn’t want to leave home.

Academy Award:  Best Supporting Actress (Margaret Rutherford)

Golden Globe Award:  Best Supporting Actress (Margaret Rutherford)