Noir City DC was held in October 2018, and featured a number of fascinating films. Though I would have loved to have seen them all, having a job and other responsibilities precluded that. We were, however, able to see a double feature of two rarely shown films. The first was Destiny (1944), the story of Cliff Banks (Alan Curtis), an ex-con who has a penchant for getting himself involved with the wrong women. The second film was Flesh and Fantasy (1943), an anthology film - three stories that looked at superstition, dreams, and destiny. But more interesting than the films themselves was that fact that, at one point, they were to be one film. Eddie Muller, founder of the Film Noir Foundation (and the host of Noir Alley on TCM) introduced the films, and also hosted an impromptu discussion in the lobby of the AFI Silver Theatre on the intermission. He provided a fascinating look at the history of these two films, originally intended to be only one movie, with four separate, interrelated vignettes. Julien Duvivier had already been acknowledged as a great director, thanks to films like Pépé le Moko (1937), when World War II broke out. Like many of his compatriots, he left France to work in Hollywood, where he felt he would have more creative freedom (EuroChannel article). Mr. Duvivier was friendly with Charles Boyer and the two formed a production company. The result was Flesh and Fantasy, which would be distributed by Universal Studios. Only there was a problem. Universal executives thought the first vignette was too odd for their audience, and yanked it out of the film. Then, the following year, Universal decided release it with a frame built around the short (to make it feature length and "clarify" it). They called back actors Gloria Jean (Jane Broderick) and Alan Curtis, and over their protests, forced them to film this new, odd sequence. Mr. Duvivier refused to participate (ordering his name be removed from the picture), and Reginald Le Borg reluctantly assumed direction of the new section. The new film was Destiny (1944)
The difference in tone and texture between the two episodes is glaring. As Mr. Muller pointed out in his introduction, you know when Mr. Duvivier's sequence begins (and ends) without being told. His portion is dreamlike, but at the same time, intense and moody. Mr. Le Borg's portion is more matter-of-fact (it also doesn't help that the script he was given makes little-to-no sense. Cliff Banks is turned into an idiot in the frame story. I found the character more interesting as a monster). John Garfield had been the first choice for Cliff (when it was still part of Flesh and Fantasy).
Both Teresa Wright and Bonita Granville were considered for Ms. Jean's role (AFI Catalog).Gloria Jean was brought to Universal as a singing star in the mold of Deanna Durbin. She saw Flesh and Fantasy as a turning point in her career. Finally, she would be in a dramatic role (with almost no singing) with fine performers Like Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck. But, when the studio pulled her segment from the film, she was devastated, and felt that this action prevented her from advancing in the film industry (The Hollywood Reporter, 2018). By then end of the 1940's, her film career was pretty much over. She did some television, but eventually worked as an executive secretary at Redken Laboratories; she retired from that job after 30 years with the company. She moved to Hawaii to live with her son, Angelo and daugher-in-law (Angelo died in 2017). A biography was published in 2005 (Gloria Jean: A Little Bit of Heaven by Scott and Jan MacGillivray). Ms. Jean died in August 2018 of heart failure and pneumonia. She was 92.
The three stories that make up Flesh and Fantasy were supposed to flow, one into the other. Despite the unnecessary interruptions of Robert Benchley (I'm not really a fan. He frequently just goes a bit too far in silliness for my taste), the vignettes do still waft from story to story. The first (sometimes called "Mardi Gras"), stars Betty Field as Henrietta, an embittered seamstress, who yearns for Michael (played by Robert Cummings), a law student who is unaware of the homely woman. It has a romantic tinge, and is reminiscent of The Enchanted Cottage (1945). Ms. Field does a good job with the part, and provides just the right touch of hope to a woman who has all but surrendered her life. Story two (often called "The Palmist") concerns Marshall Tyler (Edward G. Robinson), a businessman who is told by palm reader Septimus Podgers (Thomas Mitchell) that he will kill someone. Tyler becomes obsessed by the prophecy, and is plagued by voices encouraging to control the prediction by picking a victim now, so that he will not be accused of a crime. Mr. Robinson is a deft actor who portrays mania well (if you've never seen him in Scarlet Street (1945), give yourself a treat). He's ably supported by Mr. Mitchell (a superb character actor), along with Dame May Whitty (Lady Pamela Hardwick) and Anna Lee (Rowena). The final story features Charles Boyer as Paul Gaspar, a world-renowned high-wire performer who is having nightmares that see him falling from the wire as a lovely woman gasps in horror. While traveling back to America (and considering the future of his act), he meets Joan Stanley (Barbara Stanwyck), the woman whom he has seen in the dream. Romantic elements also infuse this story, and both Mr. Boyer and Ms. Stanwyck are excellent (and are excellent together). We also have Charles Winninger as King Lamarr, the sympathetic owner of the Paul's circus.
Originally titled For All We Know, Flesh and Fantasy also looked at actors Charles Laughton, Adolphe Menjou, Deanna Durbin and Greta Garbo as potential actors in the piece. (AFI catalog) All three stories in Flesh and Fantasy made it to radio: a Screen Guild Theatre radio broadcast on April 1945 starred Ella Rains and Charles Boyer in "The High-Wire Performer" episode; a July 1945 broadcast featured Edward G. Robinson and Vincent Price in "The Palmist" episode; and in September 1945 John Hodiak and Claire Trevor enacted the "Mardi Gras" Episode. Mr. Muller is hoping that one day, these films can be reassemble to finally show us the film Mr. Duvivier intended to release. In the meantime, I heartily suggest watching both films together, and let you mind wander over the possibilities. Here are trailers from both of the films:
New York City police detective John McLane (Bruce Willis) arrives in Los Angeles for a visit with his estranged wife, Holly Gennaro (Bonnie Bedelia). Holly left NYC with the couple's two children when she was offered a prestigious job with the Nakatomi Corporation. John was completely unsupportive of her career move, resulting in a rift between them. He's in LA, hoping for a reconciliation, but is not in her office five minutes when he begins an argument about her job. The squabble only ceases because she is called out to speak at the company Christmas party. Raging at himself, John remains in her office cleaning up. It's only due to this that, when the party is invaded by a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) John is able to escape, and begins a one-man war on the invaders, while trying to get help from the LA Police. Welcome to the 30th anniversary of Die Hard (1988), a TCM Fathom Event. Bruce Willis brings the proper level of non-hero to the role of McLane. John is literally making things up as he goes along, and Willis makes it clear that John is operating on a new level. He's no traditional action hero - he's scared, he gets hurt, he makes mistakes. He has one goal: to get himself and Holly out of the building alive. Interestingly, the part was originally intended for Frank Sinatra (Yahoo Entertainment) following his success in The Detective (1968). After Mr. Sinatra said no, the film was offered to Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman (ABC News), Richard Gere, Al Pacino, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
James Caan, and Burt Reynolds (Daily Mail). Bruce Willis was a TV actor; sure, his show Moonlighting, was a success, but it was primarily a comedy, he was not the titular star (Cybill Shepherd was) and Mr. Willis' first forays into films had not done well. But, by this time the producers were desperate, and (thankfully) decided to go with Mr. Willis.
Good as Mr. Willis is, he is nothing without his nemesis, the magnificent Alan Rickman. Mr. Rickman is the perfect foil to Willis. Gruber is unemotional - even as he murders in cold blood, he never blinks or shows any concern (for an excellent discussion of the character, see this New Yorker article: "The Unforgettable Villainy of Alan Rickman in Die Hard"). Hans Gruber is #46 on AFI's list of Greatest Villains, and deservedly so. Mr. Rickman gives the movie the gravitas that it requires to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It was Mr. Rickman who decided that Gruber should be garbed in an expensive suit and tie, which succeeds in turning his character into even more of a monster. (this article from The Vulture comments on Mr. Rickman's stunt work in the film - he did the scary final fall himself). The part of Gruber was his breakout role, in a career that included such varied characters as Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest (1999), John, the philandering husband in Love, Actually (2003), Jamie, the ghostly cellist in Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990) Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility (1995), and, of course, Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. I was lucky enough to see him perform Private Lives on Broadway in 2002. He was a thrilling actor, whom I miss.
I'm always pleased to see James Shigeta (Mr. Takagi) and he does not disappoint in his brief role. Mr. Takagi is a hero, who tries his best to protect his employees, even to sacrificing his own life. Since roles for Asian actors are always at a minimum, Mr. Shigeta's film career was limited. However, he appeared in a wide range of TV shows, and was always excellent. Two films of his to look out for are Bridge to the Sun (1961) and Flower Drum Song (1961). Born in Honolulu, he served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict. He began his performing career as a singer, ultimately working on film, television, and the theatre. He died at the age of 85 in 2014.
On release, the film received mixed reviews (AFI catalog) - this New York Timesreview is an example of one of the bad ones. It is, however a film that has aged well and become more widely admired in the ensuing years. Richard Brody, in an article from The New Yorker talks about having finally seen the film after 29 years (he enjoyed it, with reservations). It resulted in four sequels (none as good as the original), and was #25 in Entertainment Weekly's list of the "25 Greatest Action Films of All Time." And, in 2007, Bruce Willis donated the undershirt that McClane wore to the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of American History.
Though Bruce Willis has stated that Die Hard is not a Christmas movie (article from The Washington Post), I would disagree - sure, there's lots of violence (but there is violence in Home Alone, and that seems to be widely accepted as a Christmas movie), but at its essence, Die Hard is about a family finding itself, and if that is not the spirit of Christmas, I don't know what is. Besides - there's a tree and Christmas music! We'll leave you with the trailer, and a message of good cheer this holiday season. Yippee-ki-yay!
Georgiana Summers (Kay Francis) overhears Bob McNear (George Brent) and Betty Summers (Genevieve Tobin) planning a rendezvous. It’s not long before Georgiana realizes that Betty is actually the current wife of Georgiana's ex-husband, Ralph Summers (Ralph Forbes). Georgiana devises a plan to get her revenge by trapping Betty in Georgiana’s country home where she is expecting a visit from Ralph. But plans go awry when jewel thieves Lawrence (John Eldridge) and Connie (Claire Dodd) also get trapped with them. Our film this time is The Goose and the Gander (1935). When we reviewed The Cocoanuts, we discussed Ms. Francis' excellent comic timing. This film substantiates that she is a brilliant comedienne. She's funny, and handles the quick dialogue and action with panache. This film even has a set of scenes in which jewelry is being carried from room to room (much like the scene with the Marx Brothers). And as before, Ms. Francis is deeply involved and a riot. Much of the humor in the film is devoted to Georgiana observing the shenanigans that are going on around her and reacting to them. It is truly a shame Ms. Francis didn't get to do more comedy. This is a movie that very much focuses on the ladies - the men are mere window dressing to propel the action. George Brent has a few scenes with Ms. Francis, but he is there to move the story; he's not really a strong character. Quite frankly, he doesn't need to be. The only complaint we had about the movie was the ending - which came from nowhere - but we didn't care. The resolution worked in the sense that it was funny, it gave the film a bit of a twist, and put our various characters where they needed to be. In The Women of Warner Brothers: The Lives and Careers of 15 Leading Ladies by Daniel Bubbeo, George Brent is heavily criticized as being a non-entity. Well, we beg to differ. He's a good actor (see him in something like The Great Lie, The Spiral Staircase, or The Purchase Price). Don't use this film as an example of his talents
While the advertising, as seen here, emphasizes the romantic aspects of the plot, it doesn't do justice to the mystery of the stolen jewels and how the thieves will get their comeuppance. The film is funny just dealing with the romances, but add in the jewels, and the arrival of Spencer Charters as Inspector Winkelsteinberger, and film soars. His interactions with Helen Lowell as Georgiana's Aunt Julia are hysterical. The police do get a bit dim, but under the circumstances, it's not hard to imagine that even Columbo would get confused.
We very much enjoyed Claire Dodd as the current Mrs. Summers. That she would want to venture off with another man is not surprising, given what a dolt her husband Ralph is (it's more surprising that Georgiana would want him back, even for revenge). Released in 1935, this film is firmly under the control of The Code. In spite of this, there's a lot innuendo, primarily between Ms. Dodd and Mr. Brent. The plot really goes into action when they are trapped in Georgiana's country home, posing as man and wife. We KNOW they are going off together for an evening of lust, but once in the house, the pair have to figure out a way to get Bob out the locked room (Georgiana's contribution to the confusion). Ms. Dodd protesting her purity is especially funny.
Just because it is a comedy, doesn't mean that Ms. Francis doesn't get some lovely costumes. Orry-Kelly does the dresses, with his usual flair; all of the actresses benefit from his expertise. The screenplay by Charles Kenyon (who had a long history with screenwriting, going back to the silent era) is crisp and entertaining. It's his story, as well as his screenplay; in a brief 65 minutes, this film includes a lot of plot. It's a wild
ride - and an enjoyable one. If you blink at the wrong time, you
might miss something. (TCM article)
We so often say that the New York Times review didn't like films but this time we get to quote a favorable review: "The narrative is so deviously complex that if you stop to light a cigarette or talk to your neighbor it requires five minutes to reorient yourself in its labyrinthine ways." We agree, and suggest this is a film that deserves multiple viewings. We'll leave you with the trailer.
Four college friends want to make it big in New York City. Catherine “Fiery” Furness (Janet Gaynor) is determined to be a writer. Chris Thring (Charles Farrell) plans on a law career. Mack McGowan (James Dunn) sees himself as a radio singer. And Madge Roundtree (Ginger Rogers) has visions of Broadway stardom. While they are the best of friends, there are complications: Fiery loves Chris, Chris loves Madge, Madge loves Mack, and Mack loves Fiery. Who will have a Change of Heart (1934)? It's always enjoyable to see an actor at the start of his or her career. Here we have Ginger Rogers in a film released only five months before she appeared as Fred Astaire's partner in Flying Down to Rio (if you recall, the duo were second bananas in that film). We also have a glimpse of Shirley Temple, in the dialog-free role of a little girl on an airplane - released just before Ms. Temple became America's darling in Little Miss Marker. The titular stars of the film are Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, who were appearing in their last of twelve films together (Ms. Gaynor was the first actress to win an Oscar. It was awarded for two films in 1927 - Sunrise: The Story of Two Humans and Seventh Heaven, the latter with Mr. Farrell). (AFI catalog) Ms. Gaynor is an always engaging actress, and she gives her character's nickname multiple meanings. Katherine says that she is called Fiery because of her red hair, but Gaynor makes a character who is strong and determined. She takes the hand that is dealt her with little complaint, and makes it work.
Though Ms. Gaynor, who had successfully made the transition from silent to sound films, had a career boost when she garnered raves in A Star is Born (1937), she decided to retire in 1938. She married costumer Adrian in 1939, and they had a child the following year. They remained together until his death in 1959. She returned to films briefly (Bernadine in 1957), as well as doing some television work beginning in 1953. But, by and large she painted, and traveled - often with her friend Mary Martin and Martin's husband. In 1982, a car accident killed one person (Mary Martin's manager Ben Washer) and injured Ms. Martin, Ms. Gaynor's second husband Paul Gregory, and Ms. Gaynor herself. Though Ms. Gaynor lived for another two years, she never fully recuperated from her injuries and died at the age of 77. James Dunn is quite good in the role of Mack. He plays him as a
self-assured young man, who is very much the leader of his friends. Mack is the ringleader - he
is the one who urges them all to journey with them to New York City. One
particularly fun scene involves him trying to con a mother and daughter
to adopt an infant. He's quite engaging.
We also very
much enjoyed Beryl Mercer (Harriet Hawkins). Ms. Mercer made a career
playing motherly types, and she does not disappoint here. She is sweet
and sympathetic, and her affection for Fiery makes the audience warm to
her instantly. That she seems to know (and care) that the young Mrs. Mockby (Drue
Leyton) needs to adopt the baby Harriet has in her care also makes her
appealing. We trust her unerring judgement in what is best for her babies, and for the parents who adopt them because of Ms. Mercer's sincerity.
We were NOT familiar with Ms. Leyton (she only made 10 films, one of
which was uncredited, and two Broadway plays), but her life story is far
more interesting than her career. In 1938, she retired and moved to
Paris to marry Jacques Terrane (also known as Jacques Tartière, a French
actor). She began working on Voice of America,
making herself quite unpopular with the Nazi's. With the outbreak of
the war in France, her husband joined the resistance, and was shot while working with the Free French in
Syria. With the Nazi entrance into Paris, Ms. Leyton was arrested, but managed to
escape. She joined the French resistance, and used her house in Barbizon
to smuggle (in total) 42 downed Allied airmen out of France. She wrote a
book about her experiences - The House Near Paris. She died in 1997 at the age of 93.
Which brings us to Ginger Rogers. We know from the beginning that Madge is not the good girl - she's blowing bubble gum at her college graduation (instead of looking beatific like Fiery). Even with that image, Ms. Rogers presents Madge as problematic. She is ambitious, and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants, but it's still hard to truly dislike her. You just want to give her a shake. As a result, by film's end, you are satisfied with the way it all resolves. The scenes of early New York City are always appealing to this group of natives. Change of Heart was surely filmed in Hollywood, but there is enough stock footage of NYC, circa 1934, to give us pleasure. While this is not a great film, it is enjoyable, primarily because of the two lead actresses. We'll leave you with this scene with Ginger, Janet, and the guys. You can also see Shirley Temple at the 1:08 mark (Don't blink. You'll miss her!)
Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) is a writer and book reviewer, who is supporting her would-be author husband. She THINKS she is happily married, and is devastated to learn that her husband has been carrying on an affair, is leaving her, AND is demanding alimony. He'll settle however - his lover wants Frances' house. With the sale of the house to the spouse-to-be, Frances is left with a nice sum of money and no place to live. Depressed and unable to write, Frances is consoled by her friend Patti (Sandra Oh), whose pregnancy has resulted in her and her partner Grace (Kate Walsh) giving Frances their tickets for a bus tour of Italy. While motoring through Cortona, Frances sees the villa Bramasole; she impulsively purchases it, and begins to rebuild her life Under the Tuscan Sun (2003). The reconstruction of Bramasole, which when purchased, is in the same wrecked condition as Frances, is the focus of the film. The house has ceilings that are falling in, pipes which no longer supply water, and a pile of junk that the prior owner was too fragile to discard. Frances sets out on a building project that, as she tears out walls, also helps her to dislodge the pain in her soul.
Frances
tells her friend, Mr. Martini (Vincenzo Ricotta), that she bought the
house because she wanted people to cook for, a house in which she could
have a wedding and a family. What Frances learns is that wishes can be
granted in different ways, and that, while the original desire is not answered, the response can be just as satisfying as the earlier aspiration. Ms. Ladd is magnificent at showing us the progression of
Frances' life and Frances' growing understanding of life's vagaries. Ms. Lane is supported by two wonderful actresses. Lindsay Duncan as Katherine, a free spirit who acted for Federico Fellini (or FeFe, as she calls him) has also made some life choices that have caused her unhappiness. Katherine is someone who lets life happen as she waits for her joys (symbolized by ladybugs) to appear. Similarly, Sandra Oh also is faced with the destruction of family when her partner decides that their longed-for child was not really what Grace wanted from life. Like Frances, Patti must rebuild her life as a single mom, turning to Frances as her extended family. Both actresses give memorable performances as influences on Frances' new life.
At times, it seems that Frances' and Patti's dreams of a happy family with a supportive partner, are impossible goals. But the subplot of the romance between Pawel (Pawel Szajda) and Chiara (Giulia Steigerwalt) gives us hope for the future, as does Mr. Martini, whose devotion to his wife and children show us our first positive male role. Frances imagines that Marcello (Raoul Bova) is the answer to her prayers. Mr. Bova makes him an appealing character. He's a man who respects Frances, as well as desiring her. Whether he actually loves her is problematic; Marcello is well aware that they've had little time to discover love, while Frances is lost in imagining a new life for herself with this relative stranger. Marcello's pragmatism works in the film. He tries to build a relationship, but is accepting of the fact that it may not come to fruition.
It's worth commenting on the beauty of this film - the cinematography (by Geoffrey Simpson) is exquisite; one yearns to visit Tuscany at the conclusion of the film. You get to go with Frances on her tour of Italy; her journeys during the repair of her house also bring us to Positano, a glorious seaside town that shimmers in the sunshine. You see Rome, via Marcello's high speed driving (Frances: "Do traffic lights mean anythng around here?" Marcello: "Sure. Green light - avanti, avanti. Yellow light - decoration." Frances: "What about red light?" Marcello: "Just a suggestion.'), and finally there is Cortona, Frances' new home. Sure, some of this is movie magic, but the scenery calls out for a visit.
The original memoir is quite different from the film; for one thing, Ms. Mayes was already in a relationship with the man who would become her second husband when she bought Bramasole (Encyclopedia of World Biography). Like the film, cooking is an important feature surrounding life at Bramasole (though the film doesn't give us the recipes that Ms. Mayes incorporates into her story). Regardless, this is a wonderful film, full of warmth and friendship. I'll leave you with a trailer:
Lawrence Rip Smith (James Stewart) is forced to close down his small survey business. Rip is a pollster, and though good at his job, he is unable to compete with the larger firms. He dreams of discovering a way of polling that is accurate, but fast and inexpensive; believes he has found it when his friend Hoopendecker (Kent Smith) sends him the results of a survey that he took in the small town of Grandview - a poll in which the results exactly match the results of a nationwide, weeks long interview process performed by one of his large competitors. Rip believes he has found his dream, a Magic Town (1947), that is a microcosm of American society, where in, in a few days, he and his colleagues Ike Sloan (Ned Sparks) and Mr. Twiddle (Donald Meek) can take a poll that would exactly mirror the opinions of the nation. The problem - keeping it a secret both from his competitors and from the town itself. This is a very peculiar film. It wants to be Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or Meet John Doe, but has a postwar anxiety that undercuts those ambitions. Rip Smith, as portrayed by James Stewart, is an ambitious young man who spent his years in the military mocking the small town life, but who in reality longs for the peaceful existence outside of the bustling city. Mr. Stewart does an excellent job in displaying the conflicts within Rip. He is, however at war with a script that isn't quite sure where it wants to go. The role was written with Mr. Stewart in mind, and it is obvious that he is comfortable both with the character, and his co-star, Jane Wyman.
The chemistry between Ms. Wyman (Mary Peterman) and James Stewart is excellent. Much of this is thanks to Mr. Stewart's subtle display of his growing affection for Mary. But frankly, Mr. Stewart's part is more fleshed out that that of Mary. Ms.Wyman takes what is given to her and is able to make Mary a more realistic character albeit one who doesn't know her town as well as she thinks she does. Jane Wyman was not the first choice for Mary. Director William Wellman first wanted Janet Blair; he later considered Arleen Whalen and Loretta Young (AFI Catalog). After years of playing light comedy, Ms. Wyman had finally started getting challenging parts. In 1945, she was Ray Milland's fiance in The Lost Weekend, and in 1946 she portrayed Orry Baxter in The Yearling, for which she was nominated for her first Oscar. The year after this film, she would appear in Johnny Belinda, and finally win an Oscar for her amazing performance (she would receive two more nominations after this, for The Blue Veil (1951) and Magnificent Obsession (1954)).
When the film was shown to a preview audience, it was three hours long; the final running time as the film exists today is 103 minutes. It's hard to imagine what was covered in three hours that is not dealt with in 103 minutes. The film falls apart when hoards of people begin to stream into the town because of the publicity that is garnered by its ability to predict poll results. The question is why? What would make that meager event beckon to so many people? What makes the film even more reminiscent of Meet John Doe is the presence of Regis Toomey and Ann Doran playing the Weavers, pretty much the same parts they played in Meet John Doe (though with different names). While the Weavers are conciliatory (just as they were in Meet John Doe), the other town folks are not all sweetness and cream; they reflect the darkness of a new post-war mentality.
Donald Meek appears briefly in the film as a statistician who works with Rip, then the character just disappears from the film, with Ned Sparks informing us the character left on an earlier train. Mr. Meek died suddenly during filming, and rather than eliminate or recast the part, director Wellman cobbled up a means for him to be gone from the action (TCM article). This New York Timesreview by Bosley Crowther was not very complimentary towards the film; it ended up losing $350,000, bankrupting Robert Riskin Productions. It did have a bit of an afterlife, however. In December 1947, James Stewart and Jane Wyman reprized their film roles for a Lux Radio Theatre production. Mr. Stewart (and his best friend, Henry Fonda), were cat lovers and frequently took in strays (James Stewart: Behind the Scenes of a Wonderful Lifeby Lawrence J. Quirk and Hank and Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart by Scott Eyman), so it seems fitting to that the film has a cat. While we can't really recommend this one, here's a clip in which James Stewart interacts with Jane Wyman - and a kitten.
William Thacker (Hugh Grant) leads a rather banal life in the Notting Hill (1999) area of London. He's divorced (his wife left him for a guy who looks like Harrison Ford), he owns a small house and rents out a room to a would-be artist named Spike (Rhys Ifans) and he runs a small travel-book shop in the neighborhood. But his life takes a dramatic turn when film star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) happens into his shop. On a recent vacation, we had the opportunity to attend a screening of this wonderful romantic comedy. It's a film of which I'm particularly fond, so being able to see it on a big screen with an audience was a very pleasurable experience. Notting Hill is an unusual rom-com because it does NOT focus on the woman. The film is about William Thacker, and it is his character with whom the audience identifies. So, it falls outside the realm of the chick flick by being centered on a man who is feeling the pangs of what seems to be unrequited love.
Hugh Grant has spent much of his career playing sweet, dithering men who seem totally flummoxed by women. He does so here as well, but it works to his advantage. William is a man who has been hurt by women - he wife left him, and he blames himself for being a disappointment. Anna intrigues him and he is greatly attracted to her, but he also is afraid that his "relatively inexperienced heart would I fear not recover" should their relationship fail. After all, he's barely been able to function romantically since his divorce, and the attraction to Anna is far stronger. Mr. Grant must play the ingenue in the film, yet not look weak doing so. He's able to create a character who is looking for love, and for whom the audience roots in return.
Julia Roberts has a harder role. Anna is constantly on the verge of breaking William's heart, but the audience has to understand that she is as vulnerable as he. When William takes her to the home of his friends Max (Tim McInnerny) and Bella (Gina McKee), Anna participates in a game of "whose life is more miserable" to get hold of the last brownie on the plate. Her response sums up her life:
I've been on a diet every day since I was nineteen, which basically
means I've been hungry for a decade. I've had a series of not nice
boyfriends, one of whom hit me. Ah, and every time I get my heart
broken, the newspapers splash it about as though it's entertainment. And
it's taken two rather painful operations to get me looking like this.
Anna has to find the inner strength to accept William's love, and the friendship of his friends. Ms. Roberts is able to make her sympathetic by showing her inner struggle, helping us to understand why she is so suspicious of everyone. She is especially moving when Anna and William climb into a private garden, and Anna expresses her yearning for a love that will last a lifetime.
The film is made more enjoyable by William's cadre of
friends. Rhys Ifans makes Spike into a total goofball, who grows from
the stupidest man in the world to someone who is actually endearing.
William's sister, Emma Chambers as Honey (Ms. Chambers died earlier this
year of a heart attack) is a delight as the woman who wants to be
Anna's best friend, and who sees Anna as William's true love. Tim
McInnerny and Gina McKee bring us a loving couple who perhaps have the
most reason for self-pity, but whose love never allows it. And finally,
Hugh Bonneville portrays Bernie, the reluctant stockbroker, who also is
searching for love, and not finding it.
It's hard to remember that this film is almost 20 years old, because the story is as fresh today as it was when it was first released. It got decent reviews (Roger Ebert, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone all gave thumbs up). In my book, it's a film that warrants repeat viewings. I'll leave you with a trailer from the film; if you've never seen it, do try and locate a copy!
Since the death of her father when she was 9 years old, Fiona Gaylord (Barbara Stanwyck) has been the titular head of the family. As such, she has spent much of her life in court, fighting to get her father's will to probate. An alleged remarriage, the death of various lawyers, and a second will that leaves 10% of the estate to a charity have delayed action on the will and forced Fiona, Susanna (Nancy Coleman), and Evelyn (Geraldine Fitzgerald) into near penury. In the 23rd year of the court proceedings, the crux of the matter is now that Charles Barclay (George Brent), who heads the charity that would benefit from the new will, is trying to force The Gay Sisters (1942) to sell their home, something that Fiona rejects. Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen Longstreet, the plot of The Gay Sisters owes much to Dickens. If you've ever read Bleak House, you'll find that the basic plot is the same - conflicting wills and children driven to near bankruptcy as they wait years for a resolution to their case. The novel is possibly based on actual events: the Barkley Square project is the Rockefellers vs the Vanderbilts regarding the construction of Rockefeller Center. (TCM article).
As is so often the case, Ms. Stanwyck was not the first choice for Fiona. The film was intended for Bette Davis, with sister Evelyn Gaylord Burton played by Mary Astor. Though Ms. Davis and Ms. Astor got along swimmingly on the set of The Great Lie the previous year (the two women rewrote and improvised to strengthen the script (TCM article)), Ms. Davis felt that Ms. Astor would appear to old for the role of younger sister Evelyn. (TCM notes). In the long run, Ms. Davis felt that Fiona was too hard and withdrew, with Irene Dunne, Norma Shearer, and Katharine Hepburn all considered for the part. Ms. Stanwyck is excellent in a role that can be unpleasant at times. She is able to make Fiona tough and likeable.
Another almost casting note was Olivia de Havilland as Susanna, but Ms.
de Havilland wanted a vacation, so the part went to Nancy Coleman
instead (AFI catalog).
Like Fiona, this is a tricky part; Ms. Coleman does a decent job of
keeping Susanna from being too much of a doormat, though there are times
you would like to shake her. With two such powerful sisters, she is
much too unwilling to confront anyone, and it can become irksome after
awhile.
In the few films in which he was listed, Gig Young had heretofore been acting under his real name - Byron Barr. The audience, however, liked his character's name, so in this film (and after) he was listed as Gig Young. He's good in the role, though one wonders at the character's attraction to Evelyn. Regardless, Mr. Young makes it clear that sexual chemistry is not enough for Gig. Mr. Young had a long and successful career. He moved into television in the 1950s, but continued acting in films, eventually winning an Oscar (after two prior nominations) for Best Supporting Actor in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969). Married five times (including 7 years to Elizabeth Montgomery), he inexplicably shot to death his wife of less than one month, then killed himself.
George Brent has a nearly impossible role to play. We find out that he's
a rapist (sure, he and Fiona were legally married, but it's still
rape). He's trying to steal her property for his grand real estate
scheme, all because he is in love with her. Huh? Mr. Brent does a decent
job; you do end up rooting for him a little - not to win the case, but
to come to his senses.
Young Larry Simms (Austin) is jdelightful as Fiona's ward (and son). The interplay between him and Ms. Stanwyck is wonderful - her stamping of her feet to make him follow orders, and his growing trust of her make Fiona a more likeable person. Mr. Simms (who died in 2009) left films in 1954 - he really didn't much care for acting - to join the Navy. He would later have a career that took him around the world as an aeronautical engineering. He spent his acting years primarily playing Alexander "Baby Dumpling" Bumstead in the Blondie series. The film features a plethora of excellent character performances, including Donald Crisp and Gene Lockhart, as good lawyer Ralph Pedloch and shady lawyer Herschell Gibbon. We also have a brief appearance from Ann Revere as Ida Orner, the nurse who attended Fiona during her confinement. It's wonderful to get such excellent actors in even these minor parts.
The story was aired on the Lux Radio Theater in November 1942, with Ms. Stanwyck and Robert Young as Fiona and Charles. In November 1956 it was revived on the Lux Video Theatre, this time starring Alexis Smith and Don Taylor.
With so much going on, the plot can become a bit dense, but we found this to be an enjoyable film. The New York Timesreview, however was very unfavorable; based on some of his comments, we wondered if the reviewer was watching the same movie. We'll leave you with the trailer to the film:
Welcome to our contribution to the CMBA 2018 Fall Blogathon: Outlaws. As always, we'll begin with a short synopsis of the film. Baroness Teri (Kay Francis) lives to shop. Her husband, Baron Franz von Hohenfels (Henry Kolker) indulges her with expensive jewels and clothing, but other than that he is completely inattentive. The Baroness' lovers also prove to be bores, so all that is left is looking for ever more expensive gems. When she visits a local store to buy yet another impressive ring, she finds herself in the middle of a Jewel Robbery (1932).
Though the plot is slight, this is a witty and engaging film. From the moment we meet Teri, we are intrigued. Ms. Francis creates a funny, wry character who is sexy and adorable. We first meet her in a bubble bath, where she is playing with the bubbles and the soap. When the soap goes flying from the tub, we experience a moment in which we believe she is really going to pop out of the bath. The film is pre-code with a vengeance! And while it is very dialogue driven, that's not really a bad thing, since the script is so sharp, you want to hear every word.
Sharing the screen with her in their their fifth (of seven) films together (TCM article) is the always-entertaining William Powell. The unnamed Robber is gentile and courteous. Like Teri, he too lives to shop - but he'd rather do it without money. Together, their repartee is engaging and quite suggestive (like I said, this is very much a pre-code film).
Teri and the Robber participate in a subtle mating dance from the moment they meet. We, the audience, have the pleasure of watching them verbally duel. And with William Powell as the sparring partner, the audience is in store for a battle of wits. The Robber's sophistication and wealth are apparent. The dialogue slips from his mouth like pearls - each line is delivered in such as way as to leave no doubt as to The Robber's attitude towards Teri, as well as his other "victims." One wonders why he is still stealing, as his vault is full of valuable gems, which he seems in no rush to sell. We suspect theft is a game to him - a cat-and-mouse challenge between him and the police, and his quarry.
Initially, Mr. Powell was not interested in the film (TCM article). He'd just married Carole Lombard (his first marriage had ended in divorce) and was eager to spend time with his bride. Unfortunately, the marriage was over by 1933, though the two remained close friends until her death in 1942 (My Man Godfrey was filmed well after their divorce). He was engaged to Jean Harlow when she died in 1937; that same year, he was diagnosed with cancer. He temporarily retired from film, while he underwent radiation therapy. Within two years, his cancer was in remission. His only child had died in 1968 (suicide following a period of prolonged
illness and depression; father and son had been quite close, and William's final letter was to his father). In 1940, he remarried Diana Lewis, a marriage which lasted until his death (from heart failure) in 1984 at the age of 91. He'd been retired since 1955 (Mister Roberts was his final film appearance) (William Powell: The Life and Films by Roger Bryant).
Helen Vinson as Teri's best friend, Marianne is also delightful. The scenes between her and Ms. Francis are amusing. Their discussion of the Baron, and his lack of skill in the bedroom are more than suggestive, as is Teri's admission that she is merely arm candy for her husband - candy for which he is eager to pay, with expensive clothing and jewelry.
Also appearing briefly is Alan Mowbray as Detective Fritz, providing the one real surprise in the movie. Though it should be mentioned that there is another surprise for modern audiences, unused to pre-code films - The Robber's use of a "funny" cigarette, that keeps reappearing in the films at inopportune times is quite enjoyable (and is clearly marijuana, which would, of course, be totally banned from movies when the Code was introduced). (Gestures of Love: Romancing Performance in Classical Hollywood Cinema by Steven Rybin).
Jewel Robbery was based on Ladislaus Fodor's play Ékszerrablás a Váci utcába, which was adapted by Bertram Bloch for Broadway as The Jewel Robbery. The film got mixed reviews (The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances by Lynn Kear and John Rossman and ), some praising Ms. Francis, some criticizing her (we're in the former camp. She's delightful). This is a truly entertaining film, and we highly recommend it. We'll leave you with a clip with Mr. Powell and Ms. Francis getting to know one another.
