Death Takes a Holiday

“He is the one whom all men dread. He is Death, His Majesty Death, amusing himself on holiday. Amusing himself with love.” Remade with precise sincerity in 1998 as Meet Joe Black, which evolves the storyline in a manner impossible over six decades earlier, Death Takes a Holiday gifts His Majesty March with an Italian backdrop, Charles Lang’s candelabra cinematography, and a devilishly droll turn as the monocled monarch of lights out. Watch for the couch scene between Death and the object of his affection, Grazia. In Mitchell Leisen biography Hollywood Director, actress Evelyn Venable reveals the leading man’s method acting. “March kept making love to me, under the lights and with everybody watching! He touched my bosom. I was so shocked I hauled off and slugged him.” -- Raoul Hernandez, guest curator