We're No Angels (1955)

My Favorite Christmas Movie

Every year, this is my special Christmas movie and each year I introduce more people to it. From children to 80-somethings, they've all enjoyed it tremendously. This next year, I plan to give this as birthday presents.
December 30, 2008

we're no angels/h. bogart

I can't think of a bogart movie collection without this movie. All actors should attain this level of professionalism. December 14, 2008

3.5 stars

After watching the 1989 version, I decided I needed the original. Honestly, I have no idea why they kept the title for the newer movie, because the two are not related at all. I'm one of the minority, in that I didn't like this one as well.

Three convicts on Devil's Island escape from the prison and decide to steal some supplies from a local shop before stowing away on a ship. Instead, they end up falling for the family who owns the shop, and helping them out.

It's a very cute movie, with the three being constantly pulled between their desire for escape and their growing affection for the family. And I did enjoy it, but it was really pretty simple and light, not really something I could sink my teeth into, I guess.

I suppose I fell into the same trap as those who disliked We're No Angels (1989). I had the one I'd first seen in my mind, and expected something similar, so I was less than enthusiastic when I got something completely different. Whoever had the idea to give the second one the same title, I want to whack them over the head with my cluebat. It does both movies a disservice.

Something else that had me nonplussed: We're No Angels is based on the play My Three Angels, which I saw in a community theater nearly 20 years ago. I kept thinking I'd seen it--it was both familiar and not. Once my husband reminded me that we'd seen the play, the stage aspects were quite apparent--the movie was very nearly a filmed version of a play. A lot of the scenes were filmed from one angle on one set, and it was... tidy, the way plays are. One person talking at a time, for example.

And once I realized I'd seen the play, I also realized that I enjoyed the play more. The movie version didn't add anything for me. Sure, it was professional actors instead of amateurs, but I'm very fond of amateur theater. Making a movie from a play should be like making a movie from a book--there's no point unless you use the unique properties of film to add something to the adaptation. November 20, 2008

The Devil's Island Comedy

This film begins in Devils's Island in 1895. Three prisoners have escaped. Are they hiding in plain sight? Can they escape on a boat back to France? Can they find passports and money? The convicts meet the shop owner, and we learn about them. Cayenne is hot and humid at Christmas, and the rest of the time. Will the daughter of the shopowner find true love and happiness? Will a letter bring shocking bad news? The story mixes comedy with drama. [Does this film seem dated?] Will unexpected visitors arrive to shake things up? Will the books be fixed for Christmas? Will the three convicts fix the problems for the family?

"Your opinion of me has no cash value." Will there be a disagreeable surprise for Uncle André? Would a new will solve the problems for the family? Will nephew Paul take advantage of the new situation? Will he too have a disagreeable surprise? Will there be a happy ending? Was this film worth watching? Was this light-weight story padded out?

This story and attitudes seem unusual for the 1950s. Was it a perverse parody of the "Three Wise Men"?
November 5, 2008

Unique, Wonderful Christmas Fun

I agree with all the other folks who give "We're
No Angels" five stars. With top to bottom great
performances by a stellar cast and a script that
is chock-a-block with witty lines, WNA is a
winner all the way. I too had trouble locating
it for a number of years but now own it on both
VHS and DVD. We watch it every Christmas (some-
times a couple of times) and revel it. It's one
of those movies that reveals more pleasures with
each viewing. Felix: [re: evil Cousin Andre]:
"My family's as good as his [pause] it's the same
family now that I think of it." A real joy to
watch this movie every Christmas season! November 3, 2008

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