Tag: Friendship

#Noirvember: “Abandoned” (1949) starring Dennis O’Keefe, Gale Storm, Jeff Chandler, & Raymond Burr

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NO NAME FOR HER BABY…only a PRICE! -A tagline for the movie

This B-movie delves into an unusual/sensitive topic for its day: black market baby adoptions. A young woman, Paula Considine (Gale Storm), from a small-town comes to a police station in L.A. She is looking for info on her missing younger sister; a local newspaper reporter, Mark Sitko (Dennis O’Keefe), offers to help. There is a burly/tall man, Kerric (Raymond Burr), lurking in the shadows and following Paula. Her sister’s dead body is in the morgue; there is evidence that she recently gave birth! Though it looks like suicide to the coroner, Paula insists there must’ve been foul play. Also, what happened to the baby?

Mark [to Kerric]: You couldn’t sleep, so you decided to take your gun out for a walk.

I saw this film (free on YouTube) last week; it moves along quickly, w/ snappy dialogue, and a variety of characters. Several of these actors went on to long/successful careers in TV. Burr (best known as Perry Mason) is working for the main baddie, a matronly “society lady” w/ a cane, Mrs. Donner (Marjorie Rambeau). In one tense scene, Burr fights one of her henchmen, played by Mike Mazurki (another “heavy” often in noirs). As for the good guys, Major Ross of The Salvation Army (Jeanette Nolan- looking FAB after 40), is an ally to pregnant women w/ no place to turn. Mark’s handsome/cop friend is Chief McCrae (Jeff Chandler); I hadn’t seen this actor before, BUT learned that he became a TV star.

[1] This excellent thriller deals with the sale of stolen babies by baby broker racketeers. It is thus more relevant to today, when this problem is much more widespread, than it was in 1949. The plot is sound, the script first rate, and the acting is extremely good. […]

A sinister sub-plot about the father of the two sisters making his daughter get rid of her illegitimate baby seems to have been cut because it was too shocking, but enough of it survives to show that it was clearly once there.

[2] I loved the camerawork… particularly in the early portions of the film. The angles and shadows are great… and very moody. I also loved the incredibly violent and gritty ending, where evil clearly is punished big time! Overall, a well written and acted film that never is dull and is well worth your time.

[3] Despite an obviously low budget, “Abandoned” benefits from location filming, which adds a documentary touch, enhanced by narration that implies some truth to the story. A fine cast of “B” players, memorable photography, and steady direction by Joe Newman, a veteran of modestly budgeted second features, together produced an entertaining, engaging film noir that is well worth catching.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Outlaw King” (2018) starring Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Billy Howle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, & Florence Pugh

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A true David vs. Goliath story of how the 14th C. Scottish “Outlaw King” Robert the Bruce used cunning and bravery to defeat the much larger and better equipped occupying English army. -Synopsis

Are you a fan of the epic movie Braveheart (1995), like me? To recap that story: A commoner, William Wallace (Mel Gibson), led a rebellion against Longshanks, AKA King Edward I of England (Patrick McGoohan), who wished to inherit the crown of Scotland for himself. When he was a boy, William’s father, brother, and many men of his village lost their lives trying to free Scotland. Once his wife, Murron (Catherine McCormack), is killed by a British soldier, William begins his quest to make his country free once and for all. He seeks to make an alliance w/ a young nobleman, Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen), who yearns for the love/respect of his people (which William has). This recent Netflix movie is the (unofficial) sequel to Braveheart.

Robert the Bruce: It is our feudal duty to provide fighting men for our overlord, King Edward.
Villager: You assured us these obligations would be over!
Robert: I’d hoped they were.

I always wanted to know what happened to Robert; he was a complicated character. His father grew up partly in the English court w/ King Edward I; they fought in “the holy lands” as young men. I enjoyed this movie (for the most part); I learned that some of it is NOT historically accurate. Hey, the filmmakers of Braveheart changed a LOT of that story! The look is simply beautiful; some viewers felt that it was TOO “nice-looking” for the subject matter. I don’t agree w/ that; I’m tired of the modern trend of gray-ish/blue-tinted historical pieces! This film was shot on location in Scotland. Director David Mackenzie is known for small budget/indies; he does a good job here. However, I felt some scenes were a BIT too long or too short; I learned that the original version was quite a BIT longer (40 more mins.) As for those of you who’re sensitive to blood/gore, this is NOT the movie for you!

King Edward: It was my hope to grow old and not die on the battlefield, but I see now that the great danger in a death from natural causes is that one may be lying in one’s bed chamber thinking of all the things that have been left undone.

I was surprised to discover that the love story btwn Robert and his young/2nd wife, Elizabeth Burgh (Florence Pugh), was more interesting than the war (action) elements. Yeah, they have an arranged marriage and are separated by more than a decade, BUT slowly fall in love over several mos. However, it is NOT probable that ppl lived chastely for long, as a marriage wasn’t considered “real” until it was consummated. I’m sure the “slow burn” romance was written to appeal to modern audiences. Pine (w/ a NOT so glam haircut) does a fine job; he gets to show his range as an actor. As you may’ve heard, there is one scene where (pun intended) we glimpse the full Pine. Pugh is always FAB, no matter what material she is given! Now y’all understand why Pine and Pugh had such great chemistry in their scenes together in Don’t Worry Darling (2022).

James Douglas: Thinking about revenge? It tears on the soul, but it can also be a weapon.

When it comes to the (baddie) Brits- whoa boy- they’re ALL evil! Did you expect subtlety from a Netflix production? Edward, Prince of Wales (Billy Howle) has some serious “daddy issues” (as we saw in Braveheart); however, here he is violent and desperate to prove himself. King Edward I (Stephane Dillane) is cold/power-hungry; he can still fight at his (advanced) age. One of the allies of Bruce is James Douglas, Lord of Douglas (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a wild-eyed/bushy bearded Scotsman bent on revenge. When I see this actor’s name, I have to cringe a little. Though James is a tough warrior w/ some cool sword skills, he doesn’t get much characterization. Taylor-Johnson will star in a superhero movie soon (no shocker). If you’re a fan of dramas like Game of Thrones, then you should check it out. I want to learn more re: Scotland’s history.

[1] …everything is crammed together quickly, if they had made a mini series they could have showed more of the story. […]

The action scenes are brilliant in the Outlaw King, and you can tell that most of it was inspired by Braveheart, from the gore, to the realism. However, I feel the movie put style over story and characters. I would watch it just for its visuals alone.

[2] A great story, impressive fight and battle scenes, care for details and a powerful, convincing lesson about fundamental values. In the age of blockbusters, it is a “must see.”

[3] The film does take certain liberties with historical accuracy, namely certain events either merged together or moved around on the timeline – all in aid of dramatic effect. Nonetheless, this does not shadow the realism that does exist, especially in terms of the savagery of warfare and intrigue, as well as the superb set pieces and costume designs that accompany the productions heavy attention to detail.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

#Noirvember: “The Turning Point” (1952) starring William Holden, Edmond O’Brien, & Alexis Smith

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Today’s most sensational story of racket-busting! -A tagline for the movie

In a Midwestern city, Jerry McKibbon (William Holden), a cynical/no-nonsense newspaperman reconnects w/ a childhood pal, John Conroy (Edmond O’Brien) who was just promoted to special prosecutor. Johnny is engaged to a smart/elegant socialite, Amanda Waycross (Alexis Smith), who thinks he should aim for higher office. As a plain-spoken/idealist, Johnny insists that he has “no political ambitions” and is only concerned re: rooting out corruption. He starts investigating rich/influential businessman, Neil Echelberger (Ed Begley), as well as the police force; Johnny’s father, Matt Conroy (Tom Tully), is also a cop.

The director of this film, Wilhelm Dieterle, joined a traveling theater at age 16 in his native Germany. After 6 yrs, the ambitious/handsome young actor was noticed by producer/director Max Reinhardt (a big proponent of Expressionism in theater). Dieterle acted in nearly 20 movies before he also began directing in 1923. His 1st female lead was a young Marlene Dietrich- wow! In Hollywood, he directed for Warner Bros. from 1931-1934. Dieterle directed The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) at RKO starring Charles Laughton (Quasimodo); this was the 1st film for O’Brien and (future star) Maureen O’Hara. (I still need to watch this movie!) The dream-like romance/drama, Portrait of Jennie (1948) stars Joseph Cotten (a frequent collaborator).

Eddie Muller (TCM) called this is “an A-picture inspired by the Senate’s Committee to Investigate Organized Crime.” He felt that Carolyn Jones (in her 1st film) “steals the scene” playing a parody of Bugsy Siegel’s moll- Virginia Hill. I watched this film 2x; I was tired/sleepy on my 1st watch. There is a LOT of fast-paced/clever dialogue, so you have to pay close attention. O’Brien (a reliable character actor) and Holden (up-and-coming in Hollywood) are quite believable as friends. As Muller pointed out, there is steamy romantic chemistry btwn. Holden (one of my mom’s faves) and Smith (“perhaps ahead of her time”). The large supporting cast does a fine job; they add flavor to enrich the story. Check this out; it’s free on YouTube.

[1] Based on a Horace McCoy story, this is a fine, complex noir feature rooted in the events of its time. William Dieterle directs with his usual sure hand, pulling out fine performances.

[2] The corrupt city angle is pretty familiar. Quite a few noir films have such a premise. But, it’s all handled pretty well and I loved the VERY snappy and tough dialog. It’s a fine film for lovers of the genre and worth your time.

[3] The 85-minutes amounts to a surprisingly good blend of a complexly constructed narrative. The personal, romantic, and political all combine here in what’s clearly an effort to tap into Kefauver anti-racketeering hearings of the time. […]

While dual leads, Holden and O’Brien, low-key their parts effectively. Together, the cast makes the material more plausible than it should be.

-Excerpts from IMDb reviews

“Larceny” (1948) starring John Payne, Joan Caulfield, Dan Duryea, & Shelley Winters

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A con man sets out to swindle a widow out of the money she’s received to build a memorial to her war-hero husband, but winds up falling in love with her instead. -Synopsis

Rick Maxon (John Payne) works w/ a small group of con men, lead by run by Silky Randall (Dan Duryea- a character actor often in noir genre). Silky’s gf, Tory (Shelley Winters- in a early role), is high maintenance and (maybe) emotionally imbalanced. Silky suspects that Tory may prefer Rick to him; Rick denies that he’s interested. After pulling a $250,000 score in Miami, the gang’s next con involves a young/rich widow in SoCal, Deborah Owens Clark (Joan Caulfield). Rick pretends that he was close pals w/ Deborah’s hubby while he was in his last days of WWII. With his smooth-talking lies, he quickly charms her and the local community. The con is to sell Deborah on creating a memorial dedicated to her hubby, then pocketing the funds. However, as the days go by, Rick finds that he’s falling in love w/ her!

Tory [to Rick]: Stop twisting my arm! People will think we’re married!

Payne was one of the actors who transitioned from ’30s musicals (where he also sang/danced) to the gritty world of crime pictures in the late ’40s. As he was tall (6’2″), dark-haired, and rugged, the noir genre suited him. In his noirs, Payne was able to straddle both sides of the law; I recommend that you check out Kansas City Confidential (1952). The directing and editing are all over the place, BUT this could appeal to those of who like to dive deep into B-movies; it is free on YouTube. There are (timeless) Qs which come to mind. Is there “honor among thieves” (or con men- in this case)? Can a “bad man” (criminal) be “redeemed” by the love of a “good woman?” What I found interesting was the dynamic btwn Rick and Tory; they’re NOT hesitant to get nasty (incl. physically violent) w/ each other. IF any young’uns happen to watch this movie, this is how NOT to behave in a romantic relationship! I think Nobody Lives Forever (1946) dealt better w/ the themes found here; I recommend that movie to noir-istas.

“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” (2013) starring Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, & Ben Foster

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The tale of an outlaw who escapes from prison and sets out across the Texas hills to reunite with his wife and the daughter he has never met. –Synopsis

This is the (ambitious) debut of a young American director/writer, David Lowery; it was shot in less than one month on location (Texas; Louisiana). Yes, he cast Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) just before she shot to fame! I think the true “star” of the film is Bradford Young; he’s a Black American (which is a rarity in the field of cinematography). Much of this movie was shot during “Golden Hour” (the hour before sunset). I was reminded of Days of Heaven (1978) from another indie director, Terrence Malick. Lowery knows how to set a tone and create a mood; however, this movie is NOT just about “vibes” (as the Youngbloods say). There is simple (or sometimes no) dialogue; we hear voiceover from the emotional letters sent by Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) while he is in jail. Music is an important element here; the songs seem like they are lifted directly from the late 1960s/early 1970s in the South.

I had a gut instinct of who would be perfect for these roles. It was those actors. Luckily for me, they said yes. -David Lowery (director) on casting

I watched this free on streaming (Tubi TV) recently; you should check it out IF looking for something original. I was interested b/c Ben Foster has a supporting role; Patrick Wheeler (Foster- sporting a mustache) is a deputy who draws Ruth out of her shell. They grew up in the same little town and attend church together. It’s obvious that the soft-spoken cop has a crush on Ruth, BUT Patrick approaches her in a gentle/respectful manner. In one touching scene, Patrick plays guitar and sings to Ruth’s young daughter (Sylvie). Foster (now 43 y.o.) may be more known for his unhinged/villain roles in recent yrs, such as 3:10 to Yuma and Hell or High Water. He has done a LOT of theater and indies over the yrs. I’ve been a fan of his since Liberty Heights (1999), a coming-of-age drama centered on a working-class/Jewish family in 1960s Baltimore (dir. by Barry Levinson). Foster (who has Jewish heritage on his father’s side) has an older brother in that movie, Adrien Brody (before he became famous).

David Lowery has constructed a beautiful, atmospheric, little indie film with this 1970s Texas crime melodrama. At every point where Lowery could have added Hollywood flourishes and gimmicks to make the film more commercial, he refuses to do so. […]

…Bradford Young deserves all the praise he has earned for his cinematography.

-Excerpt from IMDb review