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Derived from Sean O'Casey s acclaimed play, Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of Juno and the Paycock is one of the Master s most unjustly neglected films. Down in the Dublin slums, Captain Boyle is a shiftless layabout, scrounging off his hard-working wife Juno. When he learns he has inherited a great deal of money, their lives change forever. Starring members of the cast of the original Abbey Theatre production, this powerful drama shows there was more to Hitchcock than just suspense. His skill with actors and rare ability to bridge theatre and cinema make this one of the most satisfying adaptations of a great play. A huge success on first release, Juno and the Paycock is ripe for rediscovery.
About the Director
The Master Of Suspense's many masterpieces are both accessible, owing to their strong plots and entertaining dialogue, and worthy of study, as many of the features have dark undercurrents that can render the action all the more disturbing (such as the misogyny implicit in much of his work). Few directors have filmed as many perfect movies, and his work made in both the UK and the US remain classic pieces of cinema.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This early talkie from master Alfred Hitchcock demonstrates his skill as a director and senstivity regarding actors and source materials. For the most part, this faithful adaptation of the Sean O'Casey play is plagued by problems such as a grainy picture and poor quality sound- but you must remember this film was made way back in 1929!
The occasionally melodramatic acting does not hinder the storytelling in any way and frequently adds comedic overtones to the whole piece. The biggest downside to the acting is that the inexperience of many cast members sometimes comes through, with several actors looking nervous in front of the camera.
Overall, this is a solid but entertaining adaptation and deserves to be better known. The DVD has no extras, which for the price I paid, were sorely needed to explain this fascinating film.
The occasionally melodramatic acting does not hinder the storytelling in any way and frequently adds comedic overtones to the whole piece. The biggest downside to the acting is that the inexperience of many cast members sometimes comes through, with several actors looking nervous in front of the camera.
Overall, this is a solid but entertaining adaptation and deserves to be better known. The DVD has no extras, which for the price I paid, were sorely needed to explain this fascinating film.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Alfred Hitchcock was always a more versatile filmmaker than his popular reputation as the 'Master of Suspense' would suggest. Indeed, in his early career, he tackled everything from melodrama to musicals. Juno and the Paycock is a fine example of the movies he made before dedicating himself to ticking bombs and breathless intrigue.
Juno (Allgood) is the matriarch of an impoverished family, whose hard work subsidises the drinking of her feckless hubby, 'Captain' Boyle (Chapman). A refined British solicitor brings news that the 'Captain' has been bequeathed a substantial inheritance from a distant relative and their lives are transformed - but not in the way they hope.
Sean O'Casey's play is one of the greatest classics of the Irish stage, a scathing portrait of his native land, ruthlessly chastising not just the baleful legacy of the British but the failure of the Irish to live up to the ideals of their revolution.
Hitchcock, of course, was British but here he is respectful of O'Casey and his intentions; the cast is drawn from the actors who created these roles at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin (many of whom went on to Hollywood where they earned a profitable living as scene-stealing character actors). But Hitchcock is a little more forgiving than O'Casey and tempers his film with some well placed humour.
For Hitch fans, familiar with his later work, this might seem an uncharacteristic film. And yet it's possible to recognise his undoubted cinematic mastery throughout - in a striking crane shot or a dynamic composition. This wasn't the last time Hitchcock would apply himself to a play; the lessons he learned here would stand him in good stead for his adventures on Rope and Dial M For Murder.
Hitchcock got on well with O'Casey; they planned another film together. But Hitchcock's career took a different turn (their collaboration became O'Casey's play Within The Gates). In later years Hitch would disparage those films he made outside his favourite genre but Juno and the Paycock suggests he was wrong to do so; it shows he was a master of more than just suspense.
Juno (Allgood) is the matriarch of an impoverished family, whose hard work subsidises the drinking of her feckless hubby, 'Captain' Boyle (Chapman). A refined British solicitor brings news that the 'Captain' has been bequeathed a substantial inheritance from a distant relative and their lives are transformed - but not in the way they hope.
Sean O'Casey's play is one of the greatest classics of the Irish stage, a scathing portrait of his native land, ruthlessly chastising not just the baleful legacy of the British but the failure of the Irish to live up to the ideals of their revolution.
Hitchcock, of course, was British but here he is respectful of O'Casey and his intentions; the cast is drawn from the actors who created these roles at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin (many of whom went on to Hollywood where they earned a profitable living as scene-stealing character actors). But Hitchcock is a little more forgiving than O'Casey and tempers his film with some well placed humour.
For Hitch fans, familiar with his later work, this might seem an uncharacteristic film. And yet it's possible to recognise his undoubted cinematic mastery throughout - in a striking crane shot or a dynamic composition. This wasn't the last time Hitchcock would apply himself to a play; the lessons he learned here would stand him in good stead for his adventures on Rope and Dial M For Murder.
Hitchcock got on well with O'Casey; they planned another film together. But Hitchcock's career took a different turn (their collaboration became O'Casey's play Within The Gates). In later years Hitch would disparage those films he made outside his favourite genre but Juno and the Paycock suggests he was wrong to do so; it shows he was a master of more than just suspense.
Format:DVD
The only thing that may made this film somewhat known is the fact that it was directed by Hitchcock. Otherwise, no one would bother to watch this boring film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thinking of buying tis - forget it!
As I am in the throes of producing this play, I thought I'd give the film a look. Bad idea! Being from the 1930's one could expect the poor sound and grainy pictures, but the... Read more
Published on 4 July 2007 by J. S. Mercer
..."the whole world is in a state o' chassis..."
"Juno and the Paycock" is one of Hitchcock's earliest films , but it does not really bear any of his characteristic trademarks. Read more
Published on 11 April 2006 by L. Davidson
I should have read the reviews first...
An old fashioned black and white film made in 1930, an early Hitchcock so is probably a classic. The film is largely based in the living room of a very poor Irish family amidst the... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2006
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