User Reviews

James A. Fitzpatrick takes a trup up the Thames for a glass of ale at the Trout Inn, schlepping Hone Glendinning along to run the Technicolor camera recording the great event. Inspired by the beer, he gives out with his usual bloviated style of public speaking and even composes "The Thames Waltz."

Well, he says "we were inspired to compose...." and then takes another eight hundred words to get it out. Whether Fitzpatrick came up with the tune or he turned to a minion and said "Banana" is unknown.

THe copy of this travelogue that plays on Turner Classic Movies is bright and colorful.

Life on the Thames (1950)

*** (out of 4)

One of the better entries in MGM's TravelTalks series starts off at the Tower of London and travels down the Thames River. That's pretty much what we get here and it really does make for one of the most entertaining entries simply because of everything we get to see in such a short time. I really enjoyed seeing how the 150-mile river changes as it goes along. We learn that it has 27 bridges along the way as well as several toll-gate like sections. We also get to learn that those who own land by it want to make sure they have it well decorated and looking nice with flowers and various other items. Not only that but we learn about the swimming, fishing and the business that the river holds. As you'd expect, the narration by James A. FitzPatrick is top-notch with all sorts of information given out and that wonderful Technicolor really shows off everything perfectly.