Noir City DC 2025: “Inferno” (1953) starring Robert Ryan, Rhonda Fleming, & William Lundigan

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The studio (20th C. Fox) put a LOT into this noir: 3-D and stereophonic sound for the few theatres equipped for that sound system. The early ’50s was a time of 3-D craze, as film historians noted. The plot is simple: An ill-tempered/hard-drinking oil millionaire, Donald Whitley Carson III (Robert Ryan), breaks his leg falling off his horse in the desert. He is left to die by his cheating wife, Geraldine (Rhonda Fleming- w/ NOT much to do) and her lover, Joseph Duncan (William Lundigan). This film (directed by Roy Wood Baker) was distributed on a double bill w/ Rawhide (1951), a Western starring Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward.

Ryan though that his performance here was one of his finest. It must’ve been a challenge to be acting (mostly) alone in such a harsh environment; we hear (in voiceover) his inner thoughts/fears. The original script had Duncan walking off to Mexico, never to be seen again, and Carson picking up his wife and heading to divorce court. Studio head Darryl F. Zanuck wanted more action, so the fight scene btwn Carson and Duncan was added at the end. There a few moments where the 3-D does makes the movie a BIT exciting. It’s NOT going to wow modern audiences much- LOL!

[1] The fascination of the story was the way in which all the characteristics which, at the start, had made Ryan so unlikeable gradually became sympathetic and, after a while, we became identified with the tense struggle to survive of this man whom we had begun by disliking and despising…

This was some achievement by writer, director and actor… Identification is essential to suspense… You must care about the character to share his dangers, and suspense vanishes the moment the tiny thought enters your mind: “He deserves what he gets.”

[2] ... this is Ryan’s film, and he’s top-notch. His thoughts come over as voice-over, and you’re pulling for him every step of the way, despite everyone describing him as unpleasant.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Far from the Madding Crowd” (1967) starring Julie Christie, Peter Finch, Alan Bates, & Terence Stamp

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A willful passionate girl and… the three men who want her! -Tagline

Making this film may have proved to be one of the last chances to film rural England as it looked in the middle of the 19th century. -Richard MacDonald (Production Designer)

Bathsheba is a young woman dealing w/ 3 different men, though NOT knowing what love really is; the audience is caught in the middle of her personal choice and their own thoughts of who’d be her right man. She ignores the shepherd next door, Gabriel Oak (Alan Bates), saying she’s NOT in love w/ him. He gave a good speech re: why she should marry him (and gifted her a baby lamb). Gabriel decides NOT to pursue things further, yet coincidence (common in Thomas Hardy’s works) brings him to the farm she soon inherites. The gentleman farmer, William Boldwood (Peter Finch), seems like a safe choice; he’s rich and devoted. The housemaid, Liddy, tells Bathsheba that Mr. Boldwood has been courted by “sixes and sevens” (a condition of confusion and disarray). He is NOT discouraged, even after Bathsheba tells him “no,” then to wait for her decision. As for the military man, Sgt. Troy (Terence Stamp), their attraction is more about lust than love.

The director (John Schlesinger) created a somewhat (unbalanced) movie. Many viewers (over the decades) commented that they wanted to see more of the Bathsheba/Gabriel’s (slow burn) interactions; however, Schlesinger chose to focus the bulk of the time on the Bathsheba/Troy (love-bombing) relationship. Some felt that Christie was miscast for this role; she didn’t show nuance or exhibit any changes. If you’re near my age (Gen X/Y), you may know Bates as the landlord/patriarch in Gosford Park; Stamp was the villain (Emperor Zod) in Superman II. You may know Christie from Doctor Zhivago and as Gertrude in Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet. All three actors ended up having prolific careers.

[1] I personally really liked it, though I can see why people might not. It does have a couple of cliché moments and the film is overlong. On the other hand, the film looks gorgeous, the scenery is evocative and the cinematography positively shimmers. The music is hauntingly beautiful, the script is literate and thoughtful and the complex story unfolds slowly and deliberately, is faithful in detail and spirit to the book.

[2] The film is stolen for me though by Peter Finch, who begins a hat trick of devastating performances, here, in The Trials of Oscar Wilde and Sunday Bloody Sunday. His Boldwood is a remarkable creation, so eligible, so tragic, so lost and helpless. […]

The Boldwood plot has a darker outcome here than in the book, which I’m sure Hardy would have approved of.

[3] I just couldn’t believe that Julie Christie was this headstrong 19th century maiden. She looks far too contemporary for me; as she is just the perfect 60s icon in costume (same as in Doctor Zhivago). […]

I felt that Bathsheba didn’t evolve through the film. Julie Christie played the same way from start to finish, in spite of the ordeal she had to go through.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

Happy (Late) New Year!

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Hey y’all,

This blog was started 18 yrs ago- whoa! Thanks for reading, subscribing, and sharing my writing! Follow me on IG and Bluesky: knightleyemma.

Sorry for the longish absence, I’ve been dealing w/ a V big workload. My team continues to be understaffed/overworked; these last 4 mos. were esp. tough. After the recent (JAN) storm, where we got a crazy amount of snow, I was stuck inside for 5 days (TOO long)! The snow soon hardened into ice (V dangerous); it hasn’t all melted yet!

This is a V dark/heavy time for ppl (esp. we who are POC) here in the U.S.- even though we are expected to “act normal” and go about our daily biz. I’m trying to spend less, eat better (incl. limiting DoorDash deliveries), and go to Orangetheory (3x) ea. wk. I missed 2 wks b/c of bad weather and (tight) deadlines recently. Sometimes, we have to pause to let ourselves feel sad, angry, or whatever else.

I joined the DC Movie Club; this social group holds many events, incl. at Alamo Drafthouse (Bryant St). I was a BIT late for the happy hour (HH) when I went, BUT I saw Park Chan-wook’s latest film- No Other Choice. IF you go on a TUES, you’ll save on tix. If you’re in the area, check it out!

-EMMA

UPCOMING MOVIE/TV REVIEWS:

Edge of the City (1957)

Far from the Madding Crowd (1967)

Inferno (1953)

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026)

No Other Choice (2026)

Nuremberg (2025)

Sinners (2025)

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)

Noir City DC 2025: “Tomorrow is Another Day” (1951) starring Steve Cochran & Ruth Roman

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They take their lives in their hands… when they take each other in their arms! -Tagline

Prison Warden: Your generation grew up, married, raised families, went to war. But nothing happened to you, Bill. You just got older.

Bill Clark (Steve Cochran) leaves prison after 18 yrs; he has the thinking of an awkward teen (he was sentenced at age 13) and a grown man’s body. Feeling lonely, he visits a dance hall (Dream Land), where he meets a jaded/platinum blonde, Cathy Higgins (Ruth Roman). Taking pity on the earnest/persistent man, Cay shows Bill around town. After the sudden shooting of a police detective (her “sugar daddy”), the odd couple decides to hit the road. Along the the way, they hitch a ride w/ a family, Stella (Lurene Tuttle) and Henry Dawson (Ray Teal), and their young son who’re going to pick lettuce in California.

Cay: I came to New York from upstate. I was gonna be a dancer. I was a brunette. Started on my toes and wound up on my heels.

The amount ($222.35) that Bill receives from his warden would equal about $2,700 (2024). Less than 10 taxi dance halls existed in NYC (1951), compared to 100+ about 20 yrs earlier. Cay’s comment (quoted above) is a reference to an older slang term for a promiscuous woman (having round heels). Perhaps the censors let it go, b/c of the noir nature of the film. As critics have pointed out, this is the rare noir w/ a (male) virgin. I had NOT heard of this movie until I saw it at the film fest; it was well-made and kept me interested. Film scholars noted that WB tacked on the (happy) ending, BUT I didn’t mind it! This movie delves into issues we’re facing today (in a sometimes lonely/uncertain/disillusioned world): the need for autonomy, intimate/romantic connection, friendship/community, and a sense of purpose.

[1] I can’t think of any other film from the pre-Moon Is Blue period that deals with so many tough social issues (without, of course, QUITE breeching the Production Code): prostitution, rape, pimping, and even premarital sex.

[2] Roman’s the revelation; in her best-known role… Here she modulates persuasively from bottle-blonde taxi dancer to sacrificing wife and mother-to-be (and a brunette, to boot). Cochran’s almost as good, waffling between the suspicion of a wounded child and the explosive reactions of an under-socialized male.

[3] There’s a whole sub genre of noir that involves flights from big cities into the open spaces of America and how those open spaces are no longer safe; the decay of urban environments will follow relentlessly, and the open spaces are even more dangerous because there are fewer places to hide.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

Building A Winter Skincare Routine

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FYI: I’ve used ALL these prods (below) and recommend them highly. For reference, I have Combo-Dry skin now in my mid-40s. If possible, look for minis (IF unfamiliar w/ the brand) and comparison shop (to get the best deals). Products I’m currently use (Fall/Winter 2025) are marked w/ a star (*).

1) Cleansers

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser*

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Tatcha Rice-Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

2) Exfoliators

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (gentle exfoliator; can use ea. day)

Ole Henriksen AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub (use 2-3 x per wk.)

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder (3 types: Classic, Gentle, or Deep)*

3) Toners

Fresh Rose Toner

Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Alcohol-Free Toner*

4) Serums & Eye Creams

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum (can be used daily)*

Ole Henriksen Double Rewind 0.3% Pro-Grade Retinol Serum (use 2x per wk at night, IF new to retinols)*

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème for Dark Circles (can be used daily)*

5) Moisturizers

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

Ole Henriksen Strength Peptide Barrier Boost Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid*

Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream*

6) Sunscreens

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscreen​

Tower 28 SOS Face Guard SPF 30*