‘Cape Fear’ Among The Greatest Of Remakes
Five remakes that worked:
“Cape Fear” (1991) - Martin Scorsese’s view of American families is chilling, and Robert De Niro is as scary as the original’s Robert Mitchum.
“The Fly” (1986) - What did Jeff Goldblum’s insect have that earlier mutations lacked? A heart and a voracious sexual appetite.
“Heaven Can Wait” (1978) - Warren Beatty found the right contemporary pace for the comic fantasy based on “Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” But Beatty’s luck ran amok last year with “Love Affair,” his tepid remake of “An Affair to Remember.”
“Imitation of Life” (1959) - This blatant tearjerker was remade in a style that jerked more tears than ever while subconsciously sneering at soap-opera conventions. Quite a feat.
“Kid Galahad” (1962) - Almost all of Elvis’ movies seemed like remakes, but this one really was.
Five that didn’t:
“Always” (1989) - Steven Spielberg long dreamed of remaking “A Guy Named Joe,” but he erred in casting Richard Dreyfuss as a romantic lead.
“Billy Jack Goes to Washington” (1977) - Anyone remember Tom Laughlin, the self-appointed conscience of the ‘70s? This was his attempt to be that decade’s Frank Capra.
“The Children’s Hour” (1961) - Lillian Hellman’s play, with its sympathetic portrayal of lesbian leanings, was a sensation in 1935. When Hollywood filmed it as “These Three” in 1937, the lesbian angle was obscured, but the drama remained sturdy. Ironically, when remade with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, with the homosexual aspect intact, it was deadly dull.
“Lost Horizon” (1973) - Producer Ross Hunter said he hoped this musical remake “would make everyone dream a little.” It put everyone to sleep.
“Stagecoach” (1965) - The forgotten Alex Cord did a wooden John Wayne imitation. Or is that redundant?
Two that shouldn’t:
Meg Ryan has announced plans to remake two movies that should be left alone:
“Two for the Road” (1967) presented Audrey Hepburn at her most poignant, a tough feat to recreate. Its road-to-remake status will be slightly less rocky if the new “Sabrina” is a hit.
“The Women” (1939) faces a rockier road. The original is still funny, but much of the humor comes from its antiquated mindset. A 1956 musical version - “The Opposite Sex,” with June Allyson as the good wife and Joan Collins as “the other woman” - attracted no one. But women just can’t leave “The Women” alone. In the 1970s, plans were announced for a version starring Barbra Streisand and Faye Dunaway. And two years ago, Ryan and Julia Roberts announced their hopes for an updated version.
An “updated” “The Women” sounds self-destructive. Besides, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler are shooting “The First Wives Club,” about ex-spouses of successful men.