University of Virginia Library

Boyer The Eccentric

Charles Boyer, as Victor
Velasco, the attic dweller who lives
above the Bratter's apartment,
shuns his matinee idol image to
become a slovenly-dressed eccentric
who harbors an affinity
for Albanian restaurants on Staten
Island. Nevertheless, he does
manage to date with Mrs. Banks,
who is suffering from her loneliness
to the loss of her only
daughter to the bonds of matrimony.

From a technical standpoint,
the production is quite adequate,
though hardly brilliant. Gene Saks
direction, perhaps colored somewhat
by Mike Nichol's treatment
of the subject on Broadway, is
always up to par. Neal Hefti's
score fits in well with the mood
of the comedy. The photographers,
costumers, and set designers have
all done a most competent job.

The largest flaw in the flick
stems from the fact that one occasionally
seems to be watching
a photographed stage, rather than
the interior of a New York apartment,
but this comes only
rarely.

At any rate, Barefoot in the
Park is a must for this weekend.