vampyrate
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Hatter's Castle
This topic is for discussing his performance as Dennis in the 1942 film Hatter's Castle.
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"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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10/15/2006, 10:56 pm
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meranch
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Re: Hatter's Castle
Unlike Major Barbara and Jamaica Inn, both of which have been in my collection for 20+ years, Hatter's Castle is a pretty new experience for me.
Dennis was a thoroughly unpleasant person. Worming his way into the good graces of everyone with a charming smile, he would take advantage of any situation, and steal or cheat his way through life. His comeuppance was well deserved.
As always, Dennis was very convincingly portrayed.
Eva
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10/17/2006, 7:46 am
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vampyrate
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Re: Hatter's Castle
I totally agree--he played the character of Dennis almost a little too well! He was the most despicable kind of manipulator and totally believable. I really hated him the first time I saw the movie ... I still hate the character, but getting past that, now I can enjoy Emlyn's performance more and find it almost entertaining the way he switches so easily from being charming and sweet and funny (like the part where he's asking Mary to dance) to showing his true colors as a two-faced conniver in a split second. Possible mild spoilers: Like when he uses the exact same line on two different girls! (Or where he's playing the innocent new "counter-jumper" for Mary while plotting to get her into the back room.) But he's the perfect foil for the detestable Brodie--it's rare to get two villains that unredeemably nasty in the same movie. My favorite part is this exchange:
[Dennis goes into Brodie's office]
Brodie [angrily]: What is it you want? If it's a rise, you might as well forget it.
Dennis: I've already done so, Mr. Brodie. Would it be convenient for me to deliver this hat now?
Brodie: You can go to the devil.
Dennis [oh so calmly]: Thank you, Mr. Brodie.
How great it would be to be able to keep your cool like that with a boss like Brodie! (Dennis wins that round, but not the next! It's like watching a great verbal boxing match.)
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"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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11/5/2006, 3:20 pm
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