Discover
-
Bob Harris
Music -
Stanley Kubrick
Director -
Nelson Riddle
Original Music Composer -
Vladimir Nabokov
Novel -
James B. Harris
Producer -
Mike Rutter
Clapper Loader -
Betty Glasow
Hairstylist -
Anthony Harvey
Editor
-
Wuchak 2/19/2024 7:20:55 PM
**_An attractive 14 years-old girl knows the power over males she has… and wields it_** A middle-aged professor of French literature (James Mason) spends the summer in New Hampshire where he becomes infatuated by a 14 years-old girl (Sue Lyon), the daughter of the woman who rents him a room (Shelley Winters). Nothing good will come from this attraction if he cannot keep it in check. Helmed by Stanley Kubrick based on the book by Vladimir Nabokov, "Lolita" (1962) is a B&W black comedy and psychological drama that was controversial in its day (and still is) so the physical intimacy of the adult-minor relationship is only hinted at. Sue Lyon turned 15 during shooting and is surprisingly a good actress at such a young age. Don’t expect much exploitation of her beauty, though, beyond an early scene of her in a two-piece bathing suit. The character of Quilty has less of a role in the book and is believable. He’s basically a dark shadow of Humbert, mirroring Humbert's carnal qualities. Unfortunately, Kubrick allowed Peters Sellers to get out-of-control in the part, which spoils it (and the movie). Don’t get me wrong, Peter Sellers has great charisma, even here, but too many of his Quilty scenes are nonsensical or implausible. The two worst examples are: When he shows up at that hotel and has that eye-rolling (ad-libbed) conversation on the porch while looking in the opposite direction of Humbert. Later he shows up at Humbert’s abode masquerading as a school psychiatrist threatening to have a group of therapists come over to observe Lolita's homelife, unless she can be in his play. Why Sure! It doesn’t help that Humbert curiously goes along with both without question. While overlong by at least half an hour, the cast is a highlight and the drama is fairly compelling and sometimes amusing despite the quaint datedness of the production and the eye-rolling Quilty scenes. The film runs 2 hours, 32 minutes, and was shot in both America and England. GRADE: B-
Christopher Lee
Kharis, the Mummy (archive footage) (uncredited)Peter Cushing
John Banning (archive footage) (uncredited)Shelley Winters
Charlotte HazeJames Mason
Prof. Humbert HumbertPeter Sellers
Clare QuiltySue Lyon
Dolores "Lolita" HazeMarianne Stone
Vivian DarkbloomLois Maxwell
Nurse Mary Lore