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Saw the *new* "Third Man" last night. 11 minutes longer
than the Selznick version we all know and love here in the U.S.,
with Graham Greene doing the opening narration instead of Joseph
Cotton. Nothing of plot or character import in those 11 missing
minutes, but the film has a subtly different rhythm now. Certain
moments are lingered over rather interestingly -- especially
those involving Alida Valli. There's less of a conventional
thriller sense to it in this cut. It's more of a mediation on
thriller themes. And over and above all, it's the most
elaborately staged "guest star" cameo in the history of
the cinema. The entire film is structured around the Grand
Entrance (and equally spectacular Exit) of Welles -- who only has
one (phenomenal) dialogue exchange with Cotton. The rest is
glamour shots -- as Rupert Everett has recently observed. Harry
Lime seems more contemporary that ever. Jill Stuart would surely
be proud to have him on her party invite list. He displays a
consumate cool that many in the Fray (109 in particular) strive
for -- but rarely achieve.
It is also, a very important film about cats.
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