Amazon.com video review:
This Mike Todd production was a star-studded, multi-million
dollar extravaganza when first released in 1956. It remains enjoyable
family fare, but time has somewhat dulled its shine. Still, it
compares favorably to the overly long, TV mini-series starring
Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle.
Elegant David Niven plays the neurotically punctual Phileas Fogg, a
British gent who is spurned on by a wager to prove he can travel
around the world in 80 days. He is accompanied by his valet, played
with persnickety humor by Cantinflas.
Nominated for several Academy Awards, this was written by John Farrow
(Mia's dad) and S.J. Perelman, based on Jules Verne's 1873
classic. The fun part is the razzle-dazzle. Todd knew what he was
doing with all those exotic locales and over 40 cameo appearances,
including Charles Boyer, Ronald Coleman, Marlene Dietrich,
Jos&eaacute; Greco, Peter Lorre, Buster Keaton, Frank Sinatra, and Red
Skelton. A very young Shirley MacLaine was painted and dyed to play a
lively Indian Princess. --Rochelle O'Gorman
