The Mikado

Would have been more enjoyable but the audio was blown out during so many of the songs. It's a bit stiff in it's shift from theatre to film, in that it doesn't really take much advantage of the new medium, That aside, it's a good time.

Damn this is boring

Lavish adaptation of the Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera features truly ravishing sets and costumes - this can stand alongside another 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz on a visual level. There is plenty of wit in the absurd plot and while, as leading man Nanki Poo, Kenny Baker's line deliveries are a little lifeless, the supporting cast throw themselves into their roles with gusto. An unexpectedly pleasant experience.

The truncated and bizarre prologue notwithstanding, I found much to enjoy in this version. It's stylized for the stage, clearly, but that's the aim and the charm. I'm also a huge fan of the pastel color pallete, which is pretty novel as production design goes.

The Mikado (1939) is a fascinating comical look into Japanese culture through the eyes of the west. A very popular musical by Gilbert & Sullivan put on screen in color and splendor! Doesn't connect 100% with me. There is no doubting the wonderful costumes and surroundings. Makes this candy for the eyes. The complicated love story comes across only so-so for the camera in this artificial setting and that's what keeps this from being a completely adored musical.

The Mikado is hilarious, the songs are a delight, with intricate rhyme patterns that are just as hard to keep up with today, and each supporting actor and actress gives a wonderfully over-the-top performance. Sydney Granville is particularity charming as the droll man of all high offices.