Nick M
I have to hand it to Tourneur - never one to make the same film twice, he is constantly challenging himself to broaden the scope of his pictures. I've seen him direct a proto-horror film, a crime drama/romance, a Mary Pickford picture, and now he's trying his hand at a children's fairy tale. Through an admittedly contrived set of circumstances two children dream that everyday things (and their pets) come to life and go with them on a journey to find the bluebird of happiness. They are accompanied by their now sentient dog and cat, the fairy Bérylune, and the spirits of fire, water, light, milk, sugar, and bread. They visit the Palace of Night and the Palace of Happiness in search of their feathered quarry, encountering all manner of creatures, experiences, and feelings personified such as ghosts, sleep, death, their deceased grandparents, the spirits of unborn children, the Luxuries of Being-a-Landowner, Eating-When-You-Are-Not-Hungry, Knowing-Nothing, and Satisfied-Vanity. This middle portion of the film reminds me of nothing so much as it does Dante's L'Inferno, though certainly less traumatizing. The plot is thin, the messaging a tad heavy-handed, but the film is charming, and there is some effective cinematography (as one would expect from Tourneur). The fairy tale setup at the beginning of the film is pleasingly quaint, and the message delivered at the end is heartwarming. We are asked to look for the children's bluebird of happiness ourselves, and to "be sure to look first in your own homes, where he is most apt to be found".
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
08/16/24
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Audience Member
Totally wacky silent here about 2 kids who stubbornly refuse to give their bird away to a sick child, then they both have a dream that finds then on a quest for another find another bird to give to them, They are joined by yes, human forms of fire, water, a cat, and, yes, a loaf of bread. They go to multiple places, some are definitely creepy, like they visit their dead grandparents AND the 5-6 dead brothers and sisters they have. Now, THATS messed up. There's a lot more too. I wouldn't recommend children seeing this, as there's way too much stuff adults would have to explain, or want to. eeps. It's all too hard to follow too. Blargh,
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/02/23
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Audience Member
ok silent but i prefer 1940 version
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/21/23
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bill t
Totally whacky silent here about 2 kids who stubbornly refuse to give their bird away to a sick child, then they both have a dream that finds then on a quest for another find another bird to give to them, They are joined by yes, human forms of fire, water, a cat, and, yes, a loaf of bread. They go to multiple places, some are definititely creepy, like they visit their dead grandparents AND the 5-6 dead brothers and sisters they have. Now, THATS messed up. There's a lot more too. I wouldnt reccomend chikdren seeing this, as there's way too much stuff adults would have to explain, or want to. eeps. It's all too hard to follow too. Blargh,
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Lovely...with some startlingly accomplished effects. Unlike Dorothy, these industrious kids gotta make do with--instead of Lion or Scarecrow or Tin Man--Saltshaker, Baguette and Bic Lighter.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is my childhood movie, among others. But it's a story and visual dream that has stuck with me ever since. It was a great play earlier in the 20th century, and I wish I could buy the script.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
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