The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) |
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Saturday 18 December 1954
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London Critics Severe
On 'Long John'
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, Dec. 17.-The Australian-made film "Long John Silver" has come under a broadside from most London film critics.
Only the "Daily Mirror" critic has a really good word to say for it. "Ideal Christ- mas fare for kids from nine to 90," he says. "Robert Newton, ranting and rolling his eyes, is in his element as a lovable, rascally piraté chief. Jim Hawkins is well played by Kit Taylor, of Sydney."
"The Times" says: "Con- fused, dull, repetitive, over long and, while full of action, yet contrives to give the im- pression that nothing is hap- pening. . . . Long John is a villain, to be sure, but New- ton hints that the villainy is all put on as an act, not to entertain the audience and children, but some amused satiric streak within his own nalurc."
"Evening Standard": "Let us hope that this unforlunatc picture will end sequels for all
time."
"Daily Herald": A rehash of a sequel in which all the glorious ingredients of the original are like Monday's re- hash. Nothing quite comes off. . . . Stale stuff."
"Daily Express": "Far too long for the concentration of
children."
"News Chronicle":' "Robert Newton would appear to have told the cameraman, 'Don't shoot till you see the whites of my eyes.' "_