I like the movie so well on TCM I'm going to order a copy to watch again. This is a rarity for me.
July 16, 2008 |  | Picnic film, beautiful romantic film |  |
I love this movie, it's one of my favorites. I am a fan of William Holden. He was handsome, charismatic, a great actor. Known for his popular films, such as World of Suzie Wong, Love is a many splendored thing, Sabrina, Bridge on the river kwai, and others. I loved him in this movie as Hal the drifter, who catches a freight to Kansas to see an old college friend of his, whose father owns the grain mill in town. Hal ends up falling in love with Madge, his college friend's girlfriend, which breaks up the friendship. I think the best part of the movie is when Hal and Madge dance to "Moonglow" at the picnic, and it seems like that is the moment when they first fall in love. Hal has to run out of town and catch a freight train again, because his ex-friend is furious, because he suspects that Madge and Hal have fallen for each other. Madge's mom who doesn't believe in marrying for love, since the man she loved, Madge's father, left them after she had Madge's sister. She wants Madge to marry Hal's friend, because the friend is a rich boy, and member of the country club. She wants Madge to be treated like a queen, and live the good life. She wants Madge to always be adored by everyone for her looks. Madge is the prettiest girl at the picnic and wins the beauty contest there. Madge just wants to be loved for who she is, not for the way she looks, and of course Hal is attracted to her looks at first, but loves her for who she is. In reality though, it isn't realistic usually for people to fall deeply in love instantly. But if you love romance, Bill Holden, a beautifully made film, good acting, and a good cast, you will love "Picnic." And if you love the song "Moonglow", you will definitely enjoy watching William Holden and Kim Novak dancing together to it. The only question is will Hal and Madge end up together? Will she marry Hal's rich ex-friend? Will she go with Hal or follow him out of town to be with him, "the man she loves", or will she stay and make her mother happy? You will find the answer of course, if you buy "Picnic." I think this is a movie one will not regret purchasing, as long as you love old romantic films, William Holden, and of course, "Moonglow." This truly is one of my very favorite films. Also I wrote a review on Marie Antoinette, which I also love. I love most of William Holden's films, such as Love is a many splendored thing, World of Suzie Wong, and Sabrina. So check out these other films, if you haven't seen them already, I don't think you will be disappointed. I believe you will love them as I do, and they will be your top favorite films too!
July 8, 2008| | | A Trip Back To Small Town America In The 50's | |
Having seen Picnic on television years ago and then having it disappear not to be shown again I wanted to find a copy of it. I was happy to see that it had been reissued! Even though the film is not in widescreen format(a big disappointment)it is a trip through some very simple and nostalgic times. Loaded with wonderful character acters and soon to be big stars it almost makes you want to relive the 50's. I could relate to many of the characters as being people that I had grown up around. Verna Felton was wonderful, but then so was William Holden and Rosalind Russell. If you want to escape from our complicated world and have a few hours of nostalgia I highly recommend Picnic.
June 7, 2008Picnic is one of the best films to come out of mid '50's Hollywood. Taken from William Inge's play, it is unique in that the entire film takes place in exactly 24 hours. Yet, by the end, you KNOW each and every character. William Holden heads a stellar cast. Excellent summer viewing.
May 21, 2008 | | Not necessarily William Holden's best film, but worth watching once | |
Some people are saying that this is only released in Full Screen. I rented it and it certainly was in 2:35 Widescreen. I rented this because I wanted to see another early William Holden film, and I heard that this was a "classic". Plus I wanted to see some films that I actually know the main song more than just the film. The song "Moonglow" and the Theme from Picnic" was a classic favorite of mine in my many instrumental classics collections. It's funny how much of my favorite music was popular before I was even born.
Well anyway, I like William Holden's "The World of Suzie Wong" and "Love is a Many-Splendered Thing" better than this less-than-energetic "Smalltown Sunday at the Park" yawner. Kim Novak was gorgeous, of course, and it was great to see an early film of Cliff Robertson (better known to me as in "Falcon Crest", "Class", and also for promoting AT&T about 20 years back.
I wish William Holden didn't keep calling Kim Novak "baby" in the film. That's so lame, but I guess that was of its time. This movie was worth watching once, but it's certainly no keeper.
May 13, 2008More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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