The Howards of Virginia

Rating:
Summary: I was dubious...but I truly liked it!
Review: Upon reading some reviews I was afraid I wasn't going to like this Epic Historical("Americana") Drama I got as a birthday gift, but gladly I enjoyed the almost two hours of film.

Cary Grant is my favorite screen actor, top of the tops, and yes, this is not his usual role or movie, but he did a great work impersonating heroic Matt Howard (from Albemarle Virginia), who rises from a being a poor lad to become a hero & notorious citizen. I think his performance is very good, it's believable, although Cary Grant fans, who like him mostly in comedy, probably won't like this one and probably will skip it.

Martha Scott, an actress not a "star", gives a very fine, strong, performance as his upper-crust wife (Jane Peyton), and kudos to Cedric Hardwicke for his complex portrayal of Grant's nemesis and brother-in-law (Fleetwood Peyton). Richard Carlson is very sympathetic as Thomas Jefferson.

Fine sets, good pacing and directon by Frank Lloyd (who also directed "Mutiny on the Bounty", among many others), and the DVD transfer is pretty good.

Great entertainment!