Dad's Movies: "Hopscotch"

And now I get around to watching, Hopscotch (1980). 

This mid-late career Walter Matthau movie is a lot of fun. Matthau's near-retirement CIA agent character, who has would could be described as a Cold War Spy code of ethics, refuses to eliminate his Soviet counterpart in an operation which draws the ire of his bureaucratic political boss at the agency who decides to put the old goat out to pasture. 

Matthau, rather than wait out his years sitting in an office, decides to burn his bridges on the way to retirement by writing a "memoir" where he reveals the dirty secrets from his years as a spy. This doesn't go over well the boss, played with oily relish by Ned Beatty, who begins a hunt to take our guy out before he can embarrass them all too much. This begins a fun and clever chase around multiple countries where Matthau's spy always keeps one step ahead of his old co-workers with the help of his old lady friend.

Everyone is very good here and the plotting is clever and funny without going to stupid extremes. Some of the things Matthau's classical music-loving character does might be a stretch but it's all played so well that I didn't mind, really. Walter Matthau played in the same range most of the time but he doesn't do this in a cartoonish over-the-top way which prevents this from being, "The Odd Couple with spies". 

The supporting cast does well with Beatty handling the thankless boss role well. Glenda Jackson is great as the very capable friend who also fools the CIA people easily. Sam Waterston is fine though he doesn't get a ton to work with. I also enjoyed seeing Herbert Lom who is always good, no matter how silly the part. 

Dad no doubt enjoyed the use of classical music in this show and it doesn't hurt that this was directed by Ronald Neame, who did "Whisky Galore" which was a favorite of his.

Dad's Movies: "Mister 880"

 Today, we have Mister 880 (1950)

A somewhat early Burt Lancaster movie, written (based on a true story apparently) by frequent Frank Capra writer, Robert Riskin. The plot revolves around a kind old man who counterfeits dollar bills and the US Treasury agent who is trying to bust him. Riskin's sentimental style is evident here but the show plays a bit more on the subdued side than Capra would have done it. The film opens with what reads as a rouser for US Government agents who protect the nation but thankfully, this is dispensed with early on. 

Lancaster is his usual charming handsome self even if he lays the "tough G-Man" act on a bit much at times. Dorothy McGuire is fine as the friend Skipper, the counterfeiter, and love interest. McGuire's character even has a job at the UN; nice touch. This film must have been intended as a vehicle for Edmund Gwenn (Skipper) who became famous as Kris Kringle in the 1947 version of "Miracle on 34th Street" and he doesn't disappoint. Gwenn still does a similar act but with subtle differences. Skipper comes off as sweet but a little foggy in the mental department. The fun is noticing how Skipper is more sharp and aware of things than people think. Gwenn would go on to play a similar character (in tone, not a counterfeiter) in Hitchcock's 1955 "The Trouble With Harry" (he's perfect in this). Also kudos to Skipper's Benji-like shaggy dog.

The movie seems to use a fair amount of NYC locations which gives it a more substantial feel. While I wouldn't describe this show as a comedy, it's fairly light. If it wasn't for the charm of the cast, the show would feel a bit slow at times but this is one of those cases where just spending time with these folks is nice.

I don't know what Dad thought of this movie, which I'd never heard of before I found it in his collection, but I do know he was a fan of the '47 "Miracle" so perhaps that was the connection.