Search - The Grass Is Greener on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1961 DVD Release: 09/18/2001 Format: DVD - Letterbox for TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 45 mins Studio: Republic Pictures Members Wishing: 9 Genres: Comedy, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Sophisticated Comedy

A rousing chorus of Noël Coward's "Stately Homes of England" is heard as the opening titles of The Grass Is Greener fade into several stock shots of those stately homes. One of these mansions is owned by British earl Victor Rhyall (Cary Grant), who opens his home to American tourists in order to make ends meet. One such tourist is wealthy Texan Charles Delacro (Robert Mitchum), who sets his sights upon Victor's lovely wife, Hilary (Deborah Kerr). In his efforts to win back his wife, Victor presses his former girlfriend Hattie Durant (Jean Simmons) into service. The Grass Is Greener was adapted by Hugh and Margaret Williams from their own stage play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cary Grant - Victor Rhyall
Deborah Kerr - Hilary Rhyall
Robert Mitchum - Charles Delacro
Jean Simmons - Hattie Durant
Moray Watson - Trevor Sellers

With The Grass Is Greener director Stanley Donen wanted to recreate the kind of sophisticated, adult romantic comedy that made Indiscreet such a success. Put under the resurrected Republic Pictures banner, this Artisan Entertainment release of The Grass Is Greener shows that Donen failed, but at least this DVD is a vast improvement over the previous pan-and-scan video and television prints of the movie. The widescreen transfer shows a little image breakup here and there, but overall is clean, and color and shadow are rich and detailed. Likewise, the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio transfer is seamless and well balanced. Donen's direction is sure and his cast is excellent (though Cary Grant should never be cast as a kindly, cardigan-wearing bore), but the script they are working with is talky and stagy. Jean Simmons is very funny in the movie's only juicy role and Deborah Kerr looks great taking a bubble bath. ~ Nick Dedina, All Movie Guide