Alicia I love this movie so much

ThiefHott Too much of everything

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

mark.waltz Forget about the green mist of "The Ten Commandments" skipping doors with blood painted on them, or the cloaked skeleton pointing his dinner at a bunch of people who ate the Salmon Moose in "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life", or even the comical figure on "Family Guy". This view of the angel of death is profound, almost romantic, with sincerity and integrity. "Has it ever occurred to you that death may be more simpler than life?", Death (Fredric March) asks. I certainly hope so!Appearing to Sir Guy Standing as an unfaced dark mist, he tells him (in March's voice) that he will be soon joining them in the guise of the Russian nobleman scheduled to visit them that "won't be there himself". All but Standing believe him to be this member of the Russian aristocracy, and as his dark presence creates discord, life is saved for aging flowers, accident victims (seen in presumed newsreel footage) and the aging certain to die as soon as he returns to his duties. Death searches for love during his brief visit with life, finding only fear in the souls of two of the beautiful women (Gail Patrick and Katherine Alexander) in attendance. Only one, the sweet Evelyn Venable, whose purity touches him, does not fear him, and this creates fear in the family as well as their visitors as they comprehend the truth.Almost operatic in its tragedy, this actually did become a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musical drama. The film version of the stage play is solemn, yet not depressing or morbid. It certainly constitutes discussion, and "Death", itself, makes observations about the selfishness of the living in not accepting the act of death as part of life, and not letting the dead rest in peace.Venable's demeanor of the gentile noblewoman is almost saintly, as she seems to welcome Death's presence in her life without even an ounce of fear while her parents (Katherine Howard and Henry Travers) obviously have the earthly view of "She's too young to be taken" and "What will we do without her?". The beloved Helen Westley is sweetly noble as Standing's wife, while her matriarchal character in the musical became a maturing beauty played by the striking Rebecca Luker. While the title indicates that this could be either a comedy or a horror movie, it is in fact, a love story of two worlds forbidden from meeting, let alone falling in love. Of course, the cinematography is at times almost like the early sound horror movies, and it is indeed haunting. Director Mitchell Leisen prevents it from ever becoming sappy or mellow, and at the end, you might feel that the two forbidden lovers are triumphant.

earlytalkie Here is a film, which I have never before seen, which has Death, in the form of Frederic March, yearning to discover what it is about life that makes people so fearful and reluctant to let go of it. He interacts with people in an Italian villa to taste what it would be like to be one of the living. He falls smitten with lovely Evelyn Venable (who gives a fine, ethereal performance) and must decide between his own yearnings and the natural selection of things. This production is given a luxurious treatment by Paramount, and it is a beautiful film to look at. Thought provoking and with an ending you won't expect, it is an engrossing and well-made product of the 1930s.

ozthegreatat42330 Long before the atrocious "Meet Joe Black" came the classic story of love, romance and death. Suave Fredrick March portrays Prince Sirki, an Aristocrat whose identity Death has chosen so that he might better understand the fear that all people seem to have of him. For three days he stays at the villa of a minor aristocrat, during which time no one in the world dies. Evelyn Venable is the girl filled with melancholy who falls in love with him, and unknown to all the others has seen him for who he really is all along (Venable was a popular actress of her day but is best known as the Columbia Lady with the Torch symbol)A sophisticated play of manners as well as a touching and sensitive love story this one will last through the ages. Sometimes black and white is better.

Kenneth H. Waters This movie made my top ten list. All of the actors gave very good performances. The selection of costumes, wardrobes and jewelry were excellent. The special effects (1934) weren't overwhelming or too far-out. The location setting was reasonable for such a low budget firm. The direction, lighting and audio were first rate. Its a shame that someone hasn't done a re-make of this classic film. With the right cast, director and resources this film could win an Oscar. Perhaps, I'll make an attempt with a short version on video. As far as I started to explain, I felt very please, entertained and taken by every line of this film. It would be a worthwhile purchase for someones personal movie library. If not available for sale. Please set your VCR for it the next time its listed on the Classic-Movie cable channels. You and your friends (if you like real-good movies) wouldn't be disappointed...enjoy, Kenny