"The Cat's Meow" is based on an incident that took place on William Randolph Hearst's luxury yacht one night in 1924. The story often crops up in books on Hollywood deaths and mysteries. I remember reading about it in Paul Donnelley's "Fade to Black", but I've read it in other places as well.
The film has a lot going for it, an interesting subject, good performances, and witty dialogue. I have only seen the Director's Cut, and whatever longueurs the film has are probably due to director Bogdanovich putting back in what was originally taken out. Some scenes seem a bit stretched, and there is possibly one Charleston too many, but with that said, it's a cruise worth taking.
Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, played by Edward Herrmann, and Kirsten Dunst as his mistress Marion Davies, invite a number friends and associates for a cruise on his luxury yacht.
Included are Charlie Chaplin, played by Eddie Izzard, and movie director, Thomas Ince, played by Cary Elwes. Also on board is columnist Louella Parsons and novelist Elinor Glyn, played by Jennifer Tilly and Joanna Lumley. Hearst is jealous of the attention Chaplin is paying to Marion Davies, while fading film director, Thomas Ince, fuels the tycoon's suspicions to further his own ends. The result is unexpected and leads to the cover up of a crime that only Hearst's power, wealth and influence could accomplish.
There is an impressive performance by Edward Herrmann as Hearst and an engaging one from Kirsten Dunst. Herrmann captures Hearst pretty well if old newsreels are to be believed, he exudes bonhomie, cunning and ruthlessness in about equal measure. However Joanna Lumley steals the show. Her character, Elinor Glyn, is a female version of George Sander's Addison DeWitt from "All About Eve". Her dry, cynical observations bookend the film, She also has some of the best lines – when approached by the annoying Luella Parsons, gushing about how much she loves her books, Glyn escapes by saying, "Do forgive me dear, but I just have to go and write another one".
Although the 1920's jazz-age soundtrack featuring restored versions of popular songs and music is tinny, nasally and relentless, "The Cat's Meow" successfully captures the look and feel of the period.
An interesting movie, but I suspect the original theatrical release may actually be a sharper version than the Director's Cut.
The film has a lot going for it, an interesting subject, good performances, and witty dialogue. I have only seen the Director's Cut, and whatever longueurs the film has are probably due to director Bogdanovich putting back in what was originally taken out. Some scenes seem a bit stretched, and there is possibly one Charleston too many, but with that said, it's a cruise worth taking.
Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, played by Edward Herrmann, and Kirsten Dunst as his mistress Marion Davies, invite a number friends and associates for a cruise on his luxury yacht.
Included are Charlie Chaplin, played by Eddie Izzard, and movie director, Thomas Ince, played by Cary Elwes. Also on board is columnist Louella Parsons and novelist Elinor Glyn, played by Jennifer Tilly and Joanna Lumley. Hearst is jealous of the attention Chaplin is paying to Marion Davies, while fading film director, Thomas Ince, fuels the tycoon's suspicions to further his own ends. The result is unexpected and leads to the cover up of a crime that only Hearst's power, wealth and influence could accomplish.
There is an impressive performance by Edward Herrmann as Hearst and an engaging one from Kirsten Dunst. Herrmann captures Hearst pretty well if old newsreels are to be believed, he exudes bonhomie, cunning and ruthlessness in about equal measure. However Joanna Lumley steals the show. Her character, Elinor Glyn, is a female version of George Sander's Addison DeWitt from "All About Eve". Her dry, cynical observations bookend the film, She also has some of the best lines – when approached by the annoying Luella Parsons, gushing about how much she loves her books, Glyn escapes by saying, "Do forgive me dear, but I just have to go and write another one".
Although the 1920's jazz-age soundtrack featuring restored versions of popular songs and music is tinny, nasally and relentless, "The Cat's Meow" successfully captures the look and feel of the period.
An interesting movie, but I suspect the original theatrical release may actually be a sharper version than the Director's Cut.