Rating: NR
Genre:
Romance
Release Date: 02/21/2006
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DD4.0/DD1
Run Time: 126 Minutes
Flags: Child Classic
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
This last remake (thus far) of the
Jean Webster novel
Daddy Long Legs was extensively revised to accommodate the talents of
Fred Astaire and
Leslie Caron. Fragments of the basic plot remain: American millionaire
Astaire is the unknown benefactor of French orphan girl
Caron, financing the girl's education on the proviso that his identity never be revealed to her. Moved by
Caron's letters of thanks,
Astaire's secretary
Thelma Ritter advises
Astaire to go to France to visit the "child". When he arrives, he finds that his ward has grown up rather nicely, and the two fall in love--though
Caron never knows until the very end who
Astaire really is. The old story has been updated to allow for an elaborate "cowboy" number and a couple of
Eisenhower jokes. Highlights include a solo ballet by
Caron and a wonderful
Astaire routine involving a set of drums. The score for
Daddy Long Legs is unremarkable save for
Johnny Mercer's hit
"Something's Gotta Give".
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide