Death decides to take a holiday from his usual business to see what it is like to be a mortal. Posing as Prince Sirki, he spends 3 days with Duke Lambert and his guests at his dukal estate. Several of the women are attracted to the mysterious prince, but shy away from him when they sense his true nature. But Grazia, the beautiful young woman whom the Duke thought was to marry his son, loves him even when she knows who he is. viewer's comments: - Dark and Romantic I have watched this movie many times over the years and I continue to love it, even more than the remake `Meet Joe Black' with Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins (On it's own a great movie with wonderful actors). However, In this original movie, `Death Takes A Holiday' the title role is played by the incredibly talented Fredric March, as he portrays an intensely charismatic Death/Prince Sirki. Here you will find an innocent, charming stranger who is learning from his host and the guests surrounding him yet is also imparting his own knowledge and wisdom. The path Death has taken is a journey in which all of us partake. What makes us human? What brings us joy and happiness in this lifetime? All that Death has ever seen of our world is fear as he greets those who enter his world. So, he enters our world to see and feel what more there is to our existence. In fact, we could learn a great deal from the character Death, for he reminds us of that which we take for granted in this life, and is denied to him as Death. `Death Takes A Holiday' may seem dark and forbidding but it is filled with hope that is encouraging; and love which should follow us past this life and into the next. - When I got the 'Meet Joe Black' DVD from my public library, it had a second disk which contained this movie, 'Death Takes A Holiday.' Since they are both derived from the original stage play, it was enjoyable comparing the two. The basic story is the same, but they are moved forward quite differently and end quite differently. However, this older movie is definitely worth a viewing whether or not you have seen the more recent one. SPOILERS follow, don't read any further or risk severe disappointment. In this 1934 version, 'death' shows up as a very dark but somewhat transparent shadowy figure, tell his 'host' what he wants, and proceeds to then take the body of someone just dead, as yet unknown to his host. He wants to experience life, and does quite a few things. In this version, while death is taking his holiday, people don't die during great tragedies. A ship explodes offshore but all survive. A school of children burns, race cars collide and flip over, race horses fall on their jockeys, and in each case all survive. Death also falls in love with the reluctant young lady, but in this version she is not the daughter of his host, instead the girlfriend of the host's son. In this version, when it is time for death to return to his rightful place, the girl goes with him, sacrificing her life on Earth to be with him. Compared with 'Meet Joe Black' this is a simpler story, and moves along quite quickly, and is only about 80 minutes long. - Adapted from a play by Alberto Casella, Death Takes a Holiday is a more charming film that one might imagine. Death, using the name Prince Sirki, comes to earth in human form to learn a thing or two about life and human nature. He gets more than he bargained for. This is one of the first directorial jobs Mitchell Leisen had at Paramount, and he makes the most of it. He manages to make the film at various moments gloomy and romantic, lighthearted and very serious. At no time is the movie depressing, and the ending surprisingly uplifting. Fredric March makes a handsome, almost soulful Prince Sirki, and delivers a fine performance. I only wish that he had used the same restraint in his later, flashier character-acting roles. Offering strong support are Evelyn Venable, Guy Standing and Henry Travers (later to play an angel of mercy in It's a Wonderful Life). There's a lot of good luck on the side of this film. Paramount was the right studio to make it. They tended to bring a light touch to nearly everything they did in those days, and it is most appreciated here. I highly recommend this movie to pessimistic know-it-alls who think they have everything figured out. - classic love and death film This film has been remade several times but the original is the one to see. Frederic March is outstanding as Prince Sirki (Death) and is at the height of his matinee idol looks. Evelyn Venable is innocent and vulnerable as Grazia who loves Death in both of his forms. There is a bit of "humor" in the film that seems out of place. The acting is surprisingly good for an early film and the supporting players are solid. My favorite scene is when Death takes Grazia into the gazebo at the end of the film and places his cape around her. It is very romantic and is not the usual "cop out" that you might expect. This is an unusual film that is highly recommended. - Far superior to the remake I saw this film as a teenager and became an immediate Fredric March fan. I can't even imagine someone like Brad Pitt playing this haunting, romantic character. If you want to own this movie on DVD, though, the two-disc set of Meet Joe Black does contain a beautiful transfer of the original 1934 classic on the second disc in the set. Directed by Mitchell Leisen Writing credits (in alphabetical order) Maxwell Anderson Alberto Casella play Walter Ferris English adaptation Gladys Lehman Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Fredric March .... Death Evelyn Venable .... Grazia Guy Standing .... Duke Lambert (as Sir Guy Standing) Katharine Alexander .... Alda Gail Patrick .... Rhoda Helen Westley .... Stephanie Kathleen Howard .... Princess Maria Kent Taylor .... Corrado Henry Travers .... Baron Cesarea G.P. Huntley .... Eric (as G.P. Huntley Jr.) Otto Hoffman .... Fedele Edward Van Sloan .... Doctor Valle Hector Sarno .... Pietro Frank Yaconelli .... Vendor Anna De Linsky .... Maid Runtime: 79 min Country: USA Language: English Color: Black and White Sound Mix: Mono Certification: USA:Unrated
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