Bedazzled
Back to work today after being down last week with a very nasty cold. Sorry for not posting, but I was completely busy blowing my nose for five days.
I was up way too late last night watching a film I haven’t seen for ages. “Bedazzled,” starring Dudley Moore and Peter Cook. Peter Cook is the Devil, who persuades nebbishy fry cook Stanley Moon (Dudley Moore) to sell him his soul for seven wishes. Of course, none of the wishes turn out the way Stanley intends. Somehow the Devil always finds a loophole that sucks all the pleasure out of the wish. For example, Stanley wishes to be desired by women. So the Devil turns him into a pop star with hordes of screaming girl fans. But then the Devil shows up as a newer and even more popular performer who effortlessly takes all the girls’ attention away.
I had seen it years ago on a terrible print but remembered it as clever and funny. Thanks to modern digital TV, the print last night was brilliant and looked brand spanking new. I got sucked it and wound up watching the whole thing, way past my bedtime.
Check it out:
They re-made the film in 2000 with Elizabeth Hurley as the Devil and Brendan Fraser as the poor shlub who is her victim. It was also pretty good. Elizabeth Hurley has such fun being evil, you have to love her.
I'm a writer, healthcare consultant and yoga teacher. My hobbies are cooking, gardening, blogging and books.
January 19th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Yikes – I LOVE that movie! Though I must confess to liking the Hurley version better. She’s so fabulous as the devil in a red dress, and Brendan Fraser, well, what’s not to love, especially the scene where he learns that he can speak Spanish – I laugh out loud every time.
And yes, It is a coincidence that we both blogged at the same time – clearly we’re busy – which is good, and clearly I’m behind on answering email. Glad you had a great trip to NY – I miss so many things I don’t know where to start. Did you have pretzel croissants at City Bakery?