Word: melodrama
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...WHITE DEVIL. A revival in modern dress recaptures all the gory gothic elements of John Webster's 17th century melodrama of destruction wrought by ambition, greed, murder and revenge...
Hogan's Goat does put on airs. It is a sentimental melodrama posing as an austere tragedy. Its blank verse is merely pumped-up prose. As playmaking, it is wildly, datedly implausible. Ethnically, it suggests that minority groups in the U.S. have a manifest destiny to disappear. The success of the dream is the death of the dream, and in one glamorous assimilationist triumph, President Kennedy abolished the limited Irish vision of local bosses, ward-heelers who could imagine no greater glory than to be nimble crumb collectors at the table of power...
...Money Trap would be a pretty good suspense melodrama if it could only learn when to keep its trap shut. Until the dialogue gets in his way, Hero Glenn Ford is quite persuasive as a gruff $9,200-a-year detective, blessed with "a beautiful home, the wife I want, a swimming pool, three cars and two servants." The fringe benefits have been provided by his rich missus, miscast Elke Sommer, who was obviously born to play a bauble-headed blonde who marries a man to enjoy his money instead of bringing her own. Elke makes a weak role weaker...
...much directorial control and some players seem content merely to don the assorted masks that Carnovsky parcelled out. This foible seemed the particular property of the villains. Matt Conley in the most unkindest role of all, the bastard Edmund, exercised enough wit and restraint to stay this side of melodrama. But Regan (Phoebe Brand) and Goneril (Ludi Claire) ranted and raved, groaned and grimaced. Robert Benedict's Oswald was arch and despicable, Nick Smith's Cornwall took appropriate relish in kicking out Gloucester's eyes; these actors' evil was far too lunatic to be cruel. The audience tittered...
...cooperated with NBC to produce a spectacular life of St. Paul and a recreation of Biblical history called The Inheritance that drew more than 10,000 letters. Next year NBC and the Baptists will offer a major life of Christ. The Roman Catholic Paulist Fathers' Insight presents adult melodrama in half-hour playlets about abortion, divorce and alcoholism, featuring such stars as Raymond Massey, Vera Miles and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. NBC's The Catholic Hour is offering a four-part series on the Second Vatican Council and the future of church renewal...