Rene Clair's I Married A Witch is a sublime, spooky, winsome and atmospheric comedic love story, pitting Mr Hyde himself Fredric March against Veronica Lake in the game of love. A far more sophisticated take than Bewitched for example. It takes in politics both sexual and actual and does so with a deft touch.
It has plenty of spooky atmosphere to go along with the fun. It's witty, original and thoroughly entertaining. The mischievous Veronica Lake is totally enthralling as the Witch who returns as an avenger centuries after being killed by Puritans and her take on this strange new world makes her both innocent and seductive.
Scorsese's under-appreciated masterpiece isn't The King Of Comedy, which has rightly received the credit that's due to it, but the musical New York New York. Shades of Douglas Sirk and George Cukor abound as Liza Minnelli gives a grandstanding performance worthy of her mother. The anthemic title song feels like an old standard and her rendition of But The World Goes 'Round is astonishing.
The story is naturally comparable to A Star Is Born as it is a tale of success, avarice, jealousy and passion and Minnelli's co-star shows a side of himself that is surprising and enthralling.
Robert DeNiro is funny, very funny, charming, dangerous and heartfelt in his performance and the chemistry between the two, initially DeNiro's huckster and Minelli's naive new comer, is there for all to see and as their character's relationship becomes darker the sadness is broadcast by both.
That it stands up against the very best Hollywood musicals is immense tribute to the director and his two leads. New York, New York is well worth a revisit.
