tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post4082958732673836686..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: ANGEL FACE 1953Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-79036759750680259672016-12-20T22:44:36.723-08:002016-12-20T22:44:36.723-08:00HI Ken,
Just found some clips from 1981's Vot...HI Ken,<br /><br />Just found some clips from 1981's VotD on youtube. I must say, It looks horrendous lol. Though I like how a photo of each actor appears along with his or her name in the opening credits. And how the date, 1981, is written in quotes underneath the title of the film.<br /><br />One has to wonder how desperate these actors must have been that they'd agree to appear in a property that was already the laughing stock of Hollywood!<br /><br />Thanks for all your writings and chat later...AllenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17398717936230097925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-41298230329527830702016-12-08T18:22:04.818-08:002016-12-08T18:22:04.818-08:00Hi Allen
This one pops up on TCM now and again, so...Hi Allen<br />This one pops up on TCM now and again, so I hope you get a chance to catch it. It was on YouTube for a while, as well. (Where I think they have a few scenes from that TERRIBLE 1981 TV version of "Valley of the Dolls" ---I mean Lisa Hartman as Neely O'Hara? Ugh!<br />I really think you'll enjoy it. It's a great noir gem, very tight, not showy, but packs a punch. The cast is good, and indeed, the period costumes are a great looking.<br />I hadn't made the association with Barbara O'Neill & "Gone With the Wind" before! <br />Thanks, Allen. Flattered that you are checking out so many older posts. Hope you enjoy them.<br /> <br />Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-65317719182922062872016-12-08T14:31:07.919-08:002016-12-08T14:31:07.919-08:00Hi Ken,
My goodness me, I got a double whammy fro...Hi Ken,<br /><br />My goodness me, I got a double whammy from your latest look at film. One was that I'd never heard of "Angel Face," or'd forgotten it if I had. This was a surprise, given my love both of old Hollwyood and film noir. The second was that someone was actually deluded enough to remake "Valley of the Dolls!" Again, I may have known of it and my subconscious had subsequently--and mercifully?--wiped out the memory.<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading your excellent critique of both film noir and society's attitudes back during noir's heyday. And how true that the censorship of the time, however ill-advised, did make the film noir type movies a lot more fun to watch.<br /><br />As to "Angel," I'm now salivating to see it, if for no other reason than for the cast. Leon Ames, Herbert Marshall and Barbara O'Neill (Mrs. O'Hara in GWTW!) are among my faves, and I'll even dole out a little love for that lumbersome, cumbersome bag of potatoes, Kenneth Tobey. And then of course, that hunk of burnin' love as you so aptly describe him--Mitchum!<br /><br />And the costumes look like fun, as well. I'm thinking particularly of Jean and Mona's looks in their "ladies who lunch" photo: Jean rocking polka-dots and Mona channeling Anne Frances in her striped folded-over collar, pearl choker and her sleek "do."<br /><br />Hoping it turns up on streaming at some point.<br /><br />Thanks again for a fun and thought-provoking piece.<br /><br />AllenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17398717936230097925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-68060902548726228182015-12-08T17:56:02.113-08:002015-12-08T17:56:02.113-08:00Thank you!! I've really got to remember YouTu...Thank you!! I've really got to remember YouTube more often. Much appreciated!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-11908295046241616882015-12-07T19:09:51.857-08:002015-12-07T19:09:51.857-08:00You can watch Dark Corner for free on Youtube here...You can watch Dark Corner for free on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP4inToUMlQ - great cast includes Lucille Ball, William Bendix, and Clifton Webb basically retreading Waldo Lydecker, but he's worth the film (Ball is also very good, in a dramatic role).<br /><br />As per my comment on Hot Spell regarding Eileen Heckart in Miracle in the Rain: that film is also on Youtube, but at a $2.99 fee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opO-bY5v7AI - however, the film is also on DVD (I don't know if it's on netflix). It's a VERY sentimental movie, but Heckart and Jane Wyman both give extraordinarily beautiful performances, and I recommend it for them.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-45652319462890583742015-12-06T10:04:24.985-08:002015-12-06T10:04:24.985-08:00I know what you mean about that quality that refin...I know what you mean about that quality that refined Simmons possesses. Maybe that's why I like her so much in this. Always something so pleasing about seeing a "nice" actress channel her inner Lady Macbeth.<br />Great observation about the "family" dynamics in that tense household, especially feeling empathy for the ganged-up on O'Neil.<br />And I too like noir films that stay true to their pessimism. The characters here are all refreshingly unsavory.<br />I've never seen Dark Corner before, but just because you mentioned it makes me want to look it up. You always bring new films to my attention!<br />Thanks again, GOM, for visiting these older posts. Love hearing your take on classic era films!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-70431896149056196402015-12-06T07:54:11.482-08:002015-12-06T07:54:11.482-08:00This is one of those kind of films in which ALL th...This is one of those kind of films in which ALL the characters are unpleasant to one degree or another--which I why I enjoy it! I dislike noir films that manage to impose happy endings on the characters and/or situations (eg, Dark Corner, a great, nasty noir until the all-is-settled-nicely ending); whereas Angel Face, to paraphrase Double Indemnity, goes straight down the line (even over the cliff...). Jean Simmons has always seemed a little too refined and recessive onscreen for me, although I think that quality works here for her character, who's trying to appear as an innocuously sweet innocent. I actually found myself sympathizing with the Barbara O'Neil character, who seemed well aware that she was living with two disagreeable, and unhealthy people (Preminger more than implies that there's an incestuous attachment between Simmons and Marshall), who both sneer at O'Neil while yet living off her money (to which they think they're entitled to do). Preminger's films, while of uneven quality, are always such great little antidotes to those sunny, bland, aggressively happy movies that you can never believe in!Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-74955715780346436162013-11-20T22:33:43.603-08:002013-11-20T22:33:43.603-08:00Yes, it's a pity Jean Simmons' dark side (...Yes, it's a pity Jean Simmons' dark side (or Ann Blyth's for that matter) wasn't explored in other films. She is so effective in this film.<br />I've never seen "The Lusty Men" but Mitchum giving one of his best performances is a promising prospect.<br />Like you, I really enjoy Leon Ames a great deal as well and it's nice that you always take special note of the supporting performances in this film.<br />It certainly is a must-see entry for fans of noir and fans of Simmons. (I like her a lot in "The Actress")<br />Thanks for commenting, again, Joel!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-47579506071518735912013-11-20T12:17:08.504-08:002013-11-20T12:17:08.504-08:00While not quite in the top rung of noir with Out o...While not quite in the top rung of noir with Out of the Past or Double Indemnity this is an justifiably esteemed film. At its black heart this is one of the nastier noirs out there and Jean's glacial beauty a perfect reflection of that. Beautiful on the outside immensely twisted within it is one of her best pieces of work. Her talent for playing a venal character as she did here was never properly utitilized by the studios, the same thing happened to Ann Blyth (not as good an actress as Jean) after Mildred Pierce when they stuck her in one pallid part after another ultimately limited her screen image and wasting a valuable part of both ladies gifts.<br /><br />Mitchum is great as usual, was there any other actor who did so little and have it come across with such impact. Have you seen The Lusty Men? It a terrible title for a great film about the rodeo life that contains three of the best performances Mitchum, Susan Hayward and Arthur Kennedy, another vastly underrated actor, ever gave. <br /><br />I agree that Preminger was an inconsistent director able to turn out excellent films like this, Laura, The 13th Letter and Anatomy of a Murder and then turn right around and churn out junk like The Moon is Blue and that mint julep mess Hurry Sundown although that one is a hooty delight in its overearnestness. He was by most reports a horrible man to work with indulging in screaming fits and verbal intimidation. Linda Darnell hated him so much that when Joe Mankiewicz wanted to illicit a look of disgust in a scene in A Letter to Three Wives he replaced the picture she was supposed to look at (unseen to the audience) with a photo of Preminger without her knowledge, he got the desired reaction. <br /><br />I have also read about Jean's troubled mental state during the filming, surely Preminger's involvement couldn't have helped but it was mostly Hughes relentless and unwanted attention that was the culprit. Nowadays I'm sure it would be actionable but back then shackled as she was by a contract that Hughes had bought without her consent she had to deal as best she could. Which unfortunately where not the best ways, I know that's a wig she wears throughout the film having cut her hair off out of spite and depression and it was during this period her heavy drinking began eventually leading to a state of chronic alcoholism that took decades to conquer.<br /><br />Angel Face also has some great supporting actors in it. I'm particular fond of Leon Ames, he was able to slide back and forth from being the upright paternal good guy to a slimy snake with ease. Herbert Marshall really doesn't have much to do here but he was a wonderfully classy leading man to a lot of actresses of the golden age. However unlike George Brent and many others he seemed to recede into the background for them but gave subtle interesting performances like the one in The Little Foxes against that juggernaut that was Bette Davis as Regina Giddins.<br /><br />We'll have to agree to disagree about Jean Simmons, I don't think I've ever been disappointed in one of her performances. I've particularly liked her in All the Way Home, The Grass is Greener, Elmer Gantry (holding her own against the double barreled onslaught of Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones), So Long at the Fair, Hilda Crane, The Actress, This Earth is Mine! (a favorite soap opera/trash wallow) and on TV she was incredibly moving in The Thornbirds. As well as two films I didn't care for but thought she was great in Home Before Dark and The Happy Ending.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-12506395612943398172013-06-02T07:34:53.037-07:002013-06-02T07:34:53.037-07:00Hi Graham
I had to look up "Where Danger Live...Hi Graham<br />I had to look up "Where Danger Lives" to see if I had seen it before (I hadn't. One of the tough things about scanning genre DVD sections is that noir films have such similar titles -and plots- that I'm never sure if I've seen it before). Anyhow, it sounds great and appreciate the recommendation!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-58266727591056159972013-06-02T06:06:08.781-07:002013-06-02T06:06:08.781-07:00I love Angel Face, too -- a strange noir psycho-dr...I love Angel Face, too -- a strange noir psycho-drama! Yes, Jean Simmon's career-best performance. Mitchum will always be my all-time favourite actor. A nice companion piece to Angel Face is another great and more obscure Mitchum noir, Where Danger Lives (1950) where he's menaced by another unstable siren (Faith Domergue -- a much better actress than I'd been led to believe!). bitter69ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182913922421674178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-15285015051865839032013-06-01T10:19:41.917-07:002013-06-01T10:19:41.917-07:00Hi Wille
I love the film's ending, too. Truthf...Hi Wille<br />I love the film's ending, too. Truthfully, the first time I saw "Angel Face", the ending took me totally by surprise! But as a longtime fan of old films, I've developed a somewhat preturnatural ability to suspend my own sense of disbelief for the sake of enjoying movie.<br />Given Mitchum's beautiful speaking voice, I think I was disappointed he didn't sound like Dean Martin when sang. Although I don't suppose it's wise to base my opinion of his singing ability solely on a single listen to "Mama Looka Boo Boo."<br />And I've seen and enjoyed "Lady in the Lake" (especially Audrey Trotter), but I forgot Leon Ames was in it.<br />Thanks, Wille!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-50897381797036113362013-05-31T04:55:31.093-07:002013-05-31T04:55:31.093-07:00I love the ending of "Angel Face". A bit...I love the ending of "Angel Face". A bit predictable but satisfying.<br />Have you heard Mitchum sing? I was surprised when I listened to his LP. He could at least carry a tune.<br />If you like Leon Ames check out another film noir called "Lady in the Lake" with Robert Montgomery and Audrey Totter. It's quite strange but it's one of my favorites in that genre.<br />-WilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-61907644618499158322013-05-29T17:51:27.089-07:002013-05-29T17:51:27.089-07:00Hi Wille
You hit on one of my favorite things abo...Hi Wille <br />You hit on one of my favorite things about older movies as well: without the ability to be explicit, movies were indeed much more ingenious with language and the conveyance of sex and sin. Those two examples you cite are perfect. <br />The colorful slang adopted by gangsters in Production Code-era film noir is always so much snappier than hearing all those "fuck you's" from those Martin Scorsese gangster pics. <br />I'm glad you like this film, too. Simmons is really terrific and you can't go wrong with Mitchum (except on an lp). Thanks, WilleKen Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-73908972784773043742013-05-29T13:30:24.492-07:002013-05-29T13:30:24.492-07:00I've had this film lying about at home without...I've had this film lying about at home without having watched it. (I have a stack of dvds waiting to be seen.) When I saw that you reviewed "Angel Face" I brought it out. I love film noir too and am a big fan of old "hunk of burnin love" Mitchum so I enjoyed this thriller. It's interesting what you write about the film genre and how it was a rare chance to portray women in film as sexual and commanding. <br /><br />I love watching older Hollywood films when they had to disguise things because of censorship. When Mitchum says that he "hit the sack" the night before, his girlfriend Mary says she can believe that, knowing that he spent the night with Diane... I also like Diane's quote later on when she innocently says that "she's no trouble"!<br />- WilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com