Waterloo Bridge (1940)

[Birdy]

Since this forum is dedicated to Robert Taylor, the movie star, I thought it was about time to start some discussions about his movies in particular. Considering the amount of his films I have no idea where to start...
I knew him for „Quo vadis?“ and „Ivanhoe“ since my childhood, but watching „Waterloo Bridge“ not long ago was the trigger to become more and more interested in that versatile actor, interesting human being and last but not least – handsome man. So, let's start with „Waterloo Bridge“- my favourite, a movie which he himself liked very much, because after the row of casting him only as the charming playboy as accessory for the beautiful leading ladies of that time -- playing the role of Roy Cronin gave him the chance to show other sides of his acting capabilities. A fact he was really longing for. Although nobody can deny, that he as Roy is a sensitive, charming and handsome(!) man at the side of a beautiful leading lady here too, but the role is more substanceful than others he had played before.
Vivien Leigh is said to have been disappointed, when she learned who her leading man would be, but later she took her words back. She was much in love with Laurence Olivier at that time and had no eyes for other men. Bob considered her as one of the most talented and beautiful women, but was probably himself in love at that time, with Barbara. That's why one only hardly can believe, that there was no romance between Bob and Vivien – there wasn't - seeing Myra and Roy together, that lovely couple, their acting so credible and heartbreaking, Sigh...
But that is what really good actors are distinguished by, to let the audience forget about the actor, who plays a role, but rather to incorporate a character up to every fibre of his body. I love Roy Cronin and that movie. I am touched every time I watch it.
My mother likes it too. One day I convinced her to watch it, although she doesn't speak any English at all! By my help and introduction she was able to follow the plot and regretted, that such kind of movies aren't more often shown nowadays...

Some people on IMDB-forum complain about, that Robert Taylor was a total miscast. How can they dare! Even people who prefer other actors must recognize the fine actor behind the handsome looks. Actually it isn't overlookable, is it? I don't think so. And I don't think, that my judgement is influenced by my admiration for him only.
Also I have read on the IMDB-forum, that some people complain about the fact, that his accent wasn't Scottish at all, since Roy Cronin is of wealth Scottish descent... Of course he is, but the accent of Marcus Vinicius wasn't Roman/Italian either! (but the accent of Peter was Scottish, haha!) I mean, is that important so much? What finally causes that Scottish background, with all the attaching much importance to wealth, honour and tradition is noticable even in a dubbed version of the movie without any accent, if you have eyes and only some brain in your head.

[Birdy]

I wanted so much to have it on dvd and was almost inclined to buy any "all regions"-dvd from Korea or Hongkong (without being sure, whether I'll be able to watch it at all) until I have found a PAL R2 version from a Spanish ebay-seller, which is based on the American NTSC-version and it's quality. That dvd-version was evaluated as the best concerning quality, sharpness of the picture and so on by the (what is it? there are reviews, comparisons a.s.o.) "forum" www.dvdbeaver.com - and I do agree with it. (Just as a little hint for other European fans)

[Alejandra]

Waterloo Bridge is a first class film beloved everywhere. Not only it counts as favorite among many Taylor's fans , Vivien's fans and classic films's fans but also It was also Bob Taylor's and Vivien Leigh's personal favorite of all their films. It has a romantic and tragic story very well-written without becoming melodramatic or sentimental, a gorgeous black and white photography and great performances from all the cast. As I said in other forum the chemistry between Bob and Vivien is so powerful, they are so convincing that, the first time I saw this film I thought they had had a real love affair off the screen too.

Regarding the critics about his accent... well Myra is supposed to be from Birmingham. According to what I have read, Brummie' accent is considered a lower-middle class accent with a improper diction and Vivien not sounds like a uneducated person at all!
I wouldn't worry about too much about IMDB users'comments and reviews Birdy. There is much nonsense in this site. My response to what you have found on Waterloo Bridge board, I mean "Robert Taylor and his American accent playing a Scottish soldier..." is:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033238/board/thread/130464403?d=141996...

There is a beautiful post wrote by a screenwriter who was trying to find the way of writing the scene of the first meeting between the protagonists of his movie. This post also have a interesting excerpt from director Mervyn LeRoy's autobiography, Take One about the CandleLight Club scene:
http://www.seraphicpress.com/archives/2008/04/less_dialog_is.php

[Linda Alexander]

An extraordinary film. Today I posted a film collage for this movie from YouTube, using "Auld Lang Syne" as background music. The way they used shadows & camera angles, as a B&W film, was artistically beautiful. Poetic almost.

Bob Taylor mentioned there were comments off & on, not just about this film or him but in general, that movies of a certain location or era weren't accented. He indicated that in the school of acting to which they ascribed in that period, accents weren't encouraged. They were TAUGHT to speak w/o accent. It was the emotion & way of portraying the character that was important. Too many people try to understand a historical situation based on their own perceptions, & current day. It's easy to criticize when one doesn't know a full back-story & I think, Birdy, this is true w/all those folks who've decided to diss this movie for reasons you indicate. Some folks can never be happy, can they?! ; >

And I LOVE the fact that you watched this w/your mother & explained it to her. What a wonderful story! That makes me smile.

[kat]

Watching this film right now on TCM... which of course led to imdb and then your site. Wonderful site. Thank you for all your work and especially for the pictures of his wife and children. Its nice to know they turned out so wonderful.

I was struck by one of Mr Taylor's quotes on imdb about loving to be alone. I identify and was wondering if anyone knows his meyrs briggs. For example I'm an intp - introverted, intuitive, thinking and perceptive. He sounds like a isf p or judgment. Which would be introverted, sensing, feeling and the best way for me to determine the last p or j - is if he was a slob. P's are extraordinarily messy :) and also intp's are anti-authoritarian. So I suspect Mr. Taylor is not an intp. He seemed to be fine with having someone direct his life as long as they were both happy. (Not a bad thing mind you - especially since his turned out well.)

BTW... I always intuitively disliked Barbara Stanwyck. Even in my first recollection of her in The Big Valley, my gut told me she had a selfish, steely persona - all about her - if you will. I suspect Mr. Taylor overlooked her faults and selfishness until it was too late.

Thank you again for your dedication and wonderful site.Big

[Linda Alexander]

Kat:

I can't tell you exactly what Bob Taylor's MB rating would've been but as his biographer, I can respond to a few of your questions. He was not in any way a slob--he liked things nice & neat, most everything had a place. He was meticulous in his dress in public & though he enjoyed casualwear in private, he still was always careful in his appearance.

He was something of a loner, in the sense that in his own private time, he preferred company of those he knew well rather than big parties & lots of people around him.

He had a deep sense of introspection ... didn't talk aloud about a lot of things important to him but did a lot of thinking on it all & shared w/those he knew he could trust implicitly.

I don't think he so much was "fine w/someone else directing his life" as he was a man who picked his fights carefully. He didn't like confrontation & preferred to live harmoniously. If it was truly important to him ... he stood up for his beliefs & his lifestyle--reference his part in the HUAC hearings of 1947.

As for Barbara Stanwyck, I believe he truly loved her. Theirs was not a relationship of convenience but rather one built on common ground & respect & a love that had its time but evolved. It was complicated. I liked Stanwyck & think she was such a ocmplex personality that she was easily misunderstood. Seems Bob Taylor was one of the few who ever really tried--& managed--to understand her. They grew apart--he eventually matured away from her.

Thx for joining in. Hope to hear more from you!