Stars: Burt Lancaster, David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Rita Hayward, Wendy Hiller
Best Quote: Well, my views of Major Pollock are that he's always been a crashing old bore and a wicked old fraud, and now I hear he's a dirty old man too. I'm not surprised, and, quite between these four walls, I don't give a damn.
Separate Tables is serious drama that got produced because Burt Lancaster wanted to do some serious acting. And he cast Hayward, Niven and Kerr, who also wanted to do some serious acting. So, its not surprising that the most pleasurable thing about the movie is...the serious acting. Its first rate - except for Burt Lancaster. However, the problem is the plot. It bounces back and forth between the Lancaster-Hayward-Hiller love triangle - which is boring, and everything else - which is interesting.
And once again Lancaster is a bad fit for a serious role. I mean, what the hell is Burt Lancaster doing in an English seaside hotel? Why is this vigorous American, with his movie star looks, rooming with old English ladies and engaged to Wendy Hiller? Its no more believable than John Wayne playing "My Fair Lady." Maybe Clift or Brando could have pulled if off, but not Burt.
Summary: If you can see it on DVD and fast-forward past Burt, its pretty good.
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