FAME IS THE SPUR
(Rank-Two Cities) ;AME IS THE SPUR, a somewhat ruthless condensation of Howard ‘ Spring’s novel about a Labour politician who abandons his principles (but not his party) and moves by a species of geometrical progression from the steerage to the peerage, might well be cited in evidence by those who contend that the only form of fiction suited to screen adaptation is the short story. To cram half-a-century of politics into the space of 90 minutes not only destroys the historical perspective, but exaggerates to the point of caricature the metamorphosis of the central character. It is like watching one 6f those old nature-study | films in which a plant sprouts, writhes upwards to the light, puts on leaves and blossoms, droops and withers-all in the space of a few moments. One is repelled, yet fascinated. Apart from Michael Redgrave’s portrayal of Hamer Radshaw, which is remarkably good considering the difficulties which the script imposes on him, and a gallery of excellent minor characters, the film is rather undistinguished. But it is not without its virtues and there are quite a lot of people ~ would like to recommend it to.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19490401.2.28.1.3
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 510, 1 April 1949, Page 15
Word Count
192FAME IS THE SPUR New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 510, 1 April 1949, Page 15
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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