Short Review: Saboteur (1942)

Jan. 26, 2011

23. Saboteur (1942)

Starring Priscilla Lane, Robert Cummings, Otto Kruger, Alan Baxter

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Plot: “Aircraft factory worker Barry Kane goes on the run across the United States when he is wrongly accused of starting a fire that killed his best friend.” (from IMDb)

***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*** This is a fairly uneven but always entertaining Hitchcock effort. It is not among his best, yet there are some memorable scenes and certainly a few of the director’s signature trademarks—the wrongly accused man, blonde heroine, road trip, culmination at a national landmark, etc. I thought Priscilla Lane and Robert Cummings were a likable pairing, and the performances by the antagonists were fitting. Yet some parts of the film just felt out of place and kind of odd (like the scene with the circus people). I thought things started to get interesting when the blind man was introduced, but then they left and the film went in a different direction. I can only attribute this to the many screen writers that worked on the story; perhaps that is why certain elements seem incongruous. I read somewhere that Hitchcock himself regarded the script as being the weakness of the film. Some of the war-time propaganda also feels very muddled—like they weren’t quite sure what they wanted to say, and thus end up contradicting themselves somewhat. Despite its faults, this film is entertaining and worth the watch if only for the final scene which featured some cutting edge (for the time) special effects.

Short Review: The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Jan. 25, 2011

22. The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Barton MacLane, Lee Patrick, Sydney Greenstreet, Ward Bond, Jerome Cowan

Screenplay by John Huston

Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett

Directed by John Huston (this was the first film he directed)

Plot: “A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.” (from IMDb)

Making many “greatest films ever made” lists, there’s no doubt that this movie is a classic. Its main strengths lie in the marvelous script, flawless casting, and—of course—great acting and directing. It’s gritty, compelling, and solid (and probably brilliant)…but it’s just not my kind of movie. I’m not denying its status as a landmark film, it just personally didn’t appeal to me. Maybe I’ll give it another try in a few years. In the meantime, I plan to watch some other film noirs to get a better taste of the genre. Suggestions?

Short Review: The Good Fairy (1935)

Jan. 23, 2011

21. The Good Fairy (1935)

Starring Margaret Sullavan, Herbert Marshall, Frank Morgan, Reginald Owen, Eric Blore, Beulah Bondi, Alan Hale, Cesar Romero

Screenplay by Preston Sturges
Based on the play by Ferenc Molnar

Directed by William Wyler

Plot: “A naive girl just out of a cloistered orphanage finds that being a ‘good fairy’ to strangers makes life awfully complicated.” (from IMDb)

With a screenplay by Preston Sturges, direction by William Wyler, and fairly high IMDb ratings, I was expecting to like this. However, it bored me to tears. I was counting the minutes until it would end. In fact, I’m typing this as I watch it. Most of the acting feels hammy and detached. It’s basically just a lot of yelling and drawn-out gags that really aren’t that funny. There’s also a love story, deception… and did I mention people yelling? Maybe I’m just not in the mood. I don’t know.

P.S. Sorry about the bad photo—it’s the best I could find. :(

Short Review: Caged (1950)

Jan. 23, 2011

20. Caged (1950)

Starring Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Ellen Corby, Hope Emerson, Betty Garde, Jan Sterling, Lee Patrick, Olive Deering, Jane Darwell, Gertrude Michael, Sheila Stevens

Directed by John Cromwell

Plot: “A naive nineteen year old widow becomes coarsened and cynical when she is sent to a woman’s prison and is exposed to hardened criminals and sadistic guards.” (from IMDb)

Despite looking older than nineteen, Eleanor Parker does a great job showing the slow break-down and hardening of her character. This is a grim, sad—and at times, deeply disturbing—film, but it is also a very solid one.The array of marvelous character actresses each play their parts flawlessly. I particularly enjoyed Jan Sterling as 'Smoochie'. The last film I had seen her in was Johnny Belinda, and she is quite different here—even adopting an accent. As the ‘villian’ of sorts, Hope Emerson perfectly nails the role of the cruel and crooked warden, who despite her evil nature is also rather humorous (in a black way). Such stellar performances, the realistic atmosphere, and very quotable dialogue kept me riveted to the screen. In my opinion, these are the factors that elevate this movie beyond a mere ‘camp’ status. ***SPOILERS*** It is hard to imagine that such things could happen as are depicted in the film. Were prisons really that bad that? Could someone like Marie be so falsely convicted? Were wardens actually that cruel? Since this film is based on actual undercover research in a women’s prison of the day, I think it is very probable. I can only imagine that if this film strikes me as sad and tragic today, how much stronger its impact must’ve been when it was first released.

Short Review: Stage Fright (1950)

Jan. 22, 2011

19. Stage Fright (1950)

Starring Jane Wyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding, Richard Todd, Alastair Sim

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Plot: “A struggling actress tries to help a friend prove his innocence when he’s accused of murdering the husband of a high society entertainer.” (from IMDb)

I rather liked this one. For some reason though, it seems to be one of the Hitchcock films that doesn’t get discussed much. I thought it was very entertaining and the surprise twist was very clever. The British setting, lovely recurring piano theme, beautiful lighting, and array of British actors—such as the amusing Alastair Sim (who nearly stole the film)—were added bonuses. Marlene Dietrich has an interesting role here, playing almost a parody of herself. As for Jane Wyman, I’ve read some opinions that see her as miscast, but I thought that she did a good job. The romance between her and Wilding (he had really odd hair, though) was especially sweet, and I felt like she played the part just right. Although this is a suspense/mystery film, there are a lot of charming and humorous moments. Some feel a bit out of place but most hit the mark in contributing to a satisfying film. The ending does feel a little abrupt. (I can’t think of an alternative, though!) In my opinion, this is one that is worth watching.

Short Review: The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

Jan. 20, 2011

18. The Strawberry Blonde (1941)

Starring James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Rita Hayworth, Alan Hale, Jack Carson, George Tobias

Directed by Raoul Walsh

Plot: “Biff Grimes is crazy about Virginia Brush, but his ‘pal’ Hugo Barnstead marries her himself and makes Biff the fall guy for his shady dealings. Though Hugo seems to have everything Biff wanted, Biff learns that having what one wants and wanting what one has can be two very different things.” (from IMDb)

Though the story is very simple (and rather silly), charismatic performers and a charming turn-of-the-century setting carry this film. Cagney gives a characteristically energetic performance, de Havilland is her usual adorable and talented self, Hayworth shines in one of her few comedic roles, and Carson does a great job of playing the double-crossing friend. I couldn’t help it—by the time the credits rolled and I heard the last chorus of “The Band Played On” I had a big goofy grin on my face.

Short Review: To Each His Own (1946)

Jan. 18, 2011

17. To Each His Own (1946)

Starring Olivia de Havilland, John Lund

Screenplay by Charles Brackett & Jacques Thery from a story by Charles Brackett

Produced by Charles Brackett

Directed by Mitchell Leisen

Plot: “A single mother gives up her son, then fights to remain a part of his life.” (from TCMDb)

I think this film would be classified as a “women’s picture”. I thought it was okay—very heartbreaking at times and a with sweet ending. Olivia de Havilland is great in her first Oscar-winning role (John Lund I don’t really care for, though). I guess this film just isn’t my kind of movie. It seems a little weepy and sentimental to me. I feel like my heart must be made of stone to say that, as this is the kind of movie everyone accuses you of not having a pulse if you don’t really care for it. But for whatever reason, I just haven’t been in the mood for these types of dramas lately.

P.S. Sorry for the watermarks on the photo. I had a hard time finding a decent picture to accompany this review.