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glitteryvGonna do a double-feature type of thing in honor of Gene Tierney who is best known as the titular character in Laura. This time, I'm talking abt two other movies she starred in. They're both great examples of her range as an actress
* Where The Sidewalk Ends (Hoopla)
Premiering in 1950, this movie is abt Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews), a police detective. He's known for two things: he REALLY hates all criminals (because of something that doesn't get revealed until halfway thru the movie) and he's v. rough with criminals to the point that, at the beginning of the movie there are over 12 complaints against him for using excessive force.
His main target is Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill), a gangster who hates him back. In any case, Dixon's life becomes v. complicated after something happens and he now has to find his way back onto solid ground.
Fun fact: this film is a reunion for Andrews and Tierney after their roles in Laura. IIRC, this movie came out around 6 yrs later. The chemistry they had back in that movie is still present in this one.
Unlike the urbane, hoity-toity circles where Laura was set, the characters in this movie exist in a much more modest (at least in terms of socio-economic class) reality. Here Tierney (as Morgan) is a working model, her father's a taxi driver, detectives don't make a lot money either and so on.
I liked this movie in terms of plot (especially when things go wrong for Dixon) and the complications makes things deliciously tense. I also loved Gary Merrill as Scalise. He was swarmy. This is the kind of movie you can enjoy.
Do I have any criticisms?
It something that's more from the perspective of 2024: I do kinda 😒 at how it presents the idea that cops are great overall. Dixon is, early on, singled out as an example of the "v. few bad apples" in the force. Everything's fine. People should respect the police cuz they're there to help. 🤢
Do I recommend it?
I do! I'm giving it a strong 3 out of 5. I've seen it as available for streaming in at least one of the free movie apps as well as on YouTube.
Queerness Level: Medium. The push-and-pull (and obsession) between Scalise and Dixon does play within AND outside the idea of two enemies. I'd say the queerness is coming slightly more from Scalise as he keep TAUNTING Dixon throughout the movie. It's not clear if he has a dame either? FWIW, you don't need the queer subtext to enjoy the movie, but it does add a bit of oomph to the Scalise v. Dixon scenes, IJS.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Please note that a character has a miscarriage (done on purpose) in Leave Her to Heaven. I'm aware that this something that some folks might want to avoid in the media they consume (which is totes valid), so I'm giving a heads up at the price of dropping a spoiler. I don't mention how or when it happens in this part of the post. However, since it's part of the plot, I'm choosing to warn folks. <3
* Leave Her To Heaven
A movie from 1945 that's FASCINATING.
It all kicks off with Ellen (Gene Tierney) and Richard (Cornell Wilde) having a meet cute on a train. He happens to be the author of the book she's currently reading. The attraction between them is pretty immediate. Whether it's coincidence or Fate (given that this is a noir, I'm inclined to think it's the latter), they both happen to be heading to the same hacienda in New Mexico (which is owned by an older friend of both of them.)
Once there, Ellen and Richard grow closer--despite the fact that Ellen's engaged to Russell (Vincent Price), a classy district attorney.
SOMEHOW, Ellen and Richard end up getting married! Shortly after, things begin to go askew…
Now, this is a movie that is GORGEOUS to look at. It was full Technicolor, so everything's so vivid and pleasing to the eye. t also has the kind of plot that begins fairly innocently. However, once it take a turn into Uh-Oh territory, you'll get a sense of unease that won't let you go.
I liked Cornell Wilde as Richard. He was a regular guy who happens to have gone head over heels for the most beautiful woman he'll ever meet. There's absolutely nothing twisted abt him or his life.
Another actor I liked was Jeanne Crain who played Ellen's cousin Ruth. Ellen and Ruth seem to be as close as sisters, tho. Now, it's not like Jeanne Crain isn't beautiful; she's got v. delicate features and beautiful blue eyes. But she plays Ruth as a a bit of a wallflower by choice since she's aware that she can never take the spotlight away from Ellen. And so she adopts a subservient position within the family with occasional burst of real personality.
I really liked Vincent Price as Russell. In this movie, he's not quite a villain, but he's not exactly a good guy.
OFC, the STAR of the movie is none other than the gorgeous, glamorous, alluring Gene Tierney as Ellen. The way she's filmed! Her costumes are impeccable. It doesn't take much to realize why Richard fell for her. She's a true representative of what's nowadays known as Pretty Privilege. In that she's got a carte blanche do anything she wants to do and she can get away with all of it.
Y'all I gotta head into spoilers
So the whole thing abt Ellen and her pretty privilege is best exemplified by how freaking long it takes Richard to realize Ellen's not a good person. Nevermind his discovery of the INTENSITY of Ellen's obsessive nature. It's almost like the movie itself protects Richard (even when Ellen is doing all kinds of terrible things) from Ellen's wrath until it's too late.
This is the main reason why this movie IS a noir. There's a v. specific point when there movie detours from a regular, well-acted melodrama and into deep and bleak territory. Once that happens, there's literally no turning back.
Do I have any criticisms?
I actually but, once again, it's a spoiler. Let me go rant for a bit
in the courtroom scene where Russell is berating Ruth into admitting she murdered her cousin (which the viewers know is NOT true) and it goes on abt her feelings for Richard, how she needs to confess… IDK, something abt that scene rubbed me the wrong way. Mainly cuz Russell allowed his feelings for Ellen to push him into sending an innocent person to jail.
Do I recommend it?
Yes. I welcome the slower pace; it adds to the tension of what's going on both on the surface and below it. The movie's available at the free streaming sites, there are YouTube uploads as well. I watched it on Hoopla. I give it a 4 out of 5. Even with the issues I had toward the end, I can't deny how great of a film this is.
Queerness Level: Nonexistent. OTOH, this movie goes the extra mile to show how terribs M/F pairings (explicitly marriage) can be for everyone involved. IDK.
* Where The Sidewalk Ends (Hoopla)
Premiering in 1950, this movie is abt Mark Dixon (Dana Andrews), a police detective. He's known for two things: he REALLY hates all criminals (because of something that doesn't get revealed until halfway thru the movie) and he's v. rough with criminals to the point that, at the beginning of the movie there are over 12 complaints against him for using excessive force.
His main target is Tommy Scalise (Gary Merrill), a gangster who hates him back. In any case, Dixon's life becomes v. complicated after something happens and he now has to find his way back onto solid ground.
Fun fact: this film is a reunion for Andrews and Tierney after their roles in Laura. IIRC, this movie came out around 6 yrs later. The chemistry they had back in that movie is still present in this one.
Unlike the urbane, hoity-toity circles where Laura was set, the characters in this movie exist in a much more modest (at least in terms of socio-economic class) reality. Here Tierney (as Morgan) is a working model, her father's a taxi driver, detectives don't make a lot money either and so on.
I liked this movie in terms of plot (especially when things go wrong for Dixon) and the complications makes things deliciously tense. I also loved Gary Merrill as Scalise. He was swarmy. This is the kind of movie you can enjoy.
Do I have any criticisms?
It something that's more from the perspective of 2024: I do kinda 😒 at how it presents the idea that cops are great overall. Dixon is, early on, singled out as an example of the "v. few bad apples" in the force. Everything's fine. People should respect the police cuz they're there to help. 🤢
Do I recommend it?
I do! I'm giving it a strong 3 out of 5. I've seen it as available for streaming in at least one of the free movie apps as well as on YouTube.
Queerness Level: Medium. The push-and-pull (and obsession) between Scalise and Dixon does play within AND outside the idea of two enemies. I'd say the queerness is coming slightly more from Scalise as he keep TAUNTING Dixon throughout the movie. It's not clear if he has a dame either? FWIW, you don't need the queer subtext to enjoy the movie, but it does add a bit of oomph to the Scalise v. Dixon scenes, IJS.
Trigger/Content Warnings: Please note that a character has a miscarriage (done on purpose) in Leave Her to Heaven. I'm aware that this something that some folks might want to avoid in the media they consume (which is totes valid), so I'm giving a heads up at the price of dropping a spoiler. I don't mention how or when it happens in this part of the post. However, since it's part of the plot, I'm choosing to warn folks. <3
* Leave Her To Heaven
A movie from 1945 that's FASCINATING.
It all kicks off with Ellen (Gene Tierney) and Richard (Cornell Wilde) having a meet cute on a train. He happens to be the author of the book she's currently reading. The attraction between them is pretty immediate. Whether it's coincidence or Fate (given that this is a noir, I'm inclined to think it's the latter), they both happen to be heading to the same hacienda in New Mexico (which is owned by an older friend of both of them.)
Once there, Ellen and Richard grow closer--despite the fact that Ellen's engaged to Russell (Vincent Price), a classy district attorney.
SOMEHOW, Ellen and Richard end up getting married! Shortly after, things begin to go askew…
Now, this is a movie that is GORGEOUS to look at. It was full Technicolor, so everything's so vivid and pleasing to the eye. t also has the kind of plot that begins fairly innocently. However, once it take a turn into Uh-Oh territory, you'll get a sense of unease that won't let you go.
I liked Cornell Wilde as Richard. He was a regular guy who happens to have gone head over heels for the most beautiful woman he'll ever meet. There's absolutely nothing twisted abt him or his life.
Another actor I liked was Jeanne Crain who played Ellen's cousin Ruth. Ellen and Ruth seem to be as close as sisters, tho. Now, it's not like Jeanne Crain isn't beautiful; she's got v. delicate features and beautiful blue eyes. But she plays Ruth as a a bit of a wallflower by choice since she's aware that she can never take the spotlight away from Ellen. And so she adopts a subservient position within the family with occasional burst of real personality.
I really liked Vincent Price as Russell. In this movie, he's not quite a villain, but he's not exactly a good guy.
OFC, the STAR of the movie is none other than the gorgeous, glamorous, alluring Gene Tierney as Ellen. The way she's filmed! Her costumes are impeccable. It doesn't take much to realize why Richard fell for her. She's a true representative of what's nowadays known as Pretty Privilege. In that she's got a carte blanche do anything she wants to do and she can get away with all of it.
Y'all I gotta head into spoilers
to talk abt Ellen and Richard's dynamic
So the whole thing abt Ellen and her pretty privilege is best exemplified by how freaking long it takes Richard to realize Ellen's not a good person. Nevermind his discovery of the INTENSITY of Ellen's obsessive nature. It's almost like the movie itself protects Richard (even when Ellen is doing all kinds of terrible things) from Ellen's wrath until it's too late.
This is the main reason why this movie IS a noir. There's a v. specific point when there movie detours from a regular, well-acted melodrama and into deep and bleak territory. Once that happens, there's literally no turning back.
Do I have any criticisms?
I actually but, once again, it's a spoiler. Let me go rant for a bit
abt he whole last part
in the courtroom scene where Russell is berating Ruth into admitting she murdered her cousin (which the viewers know is NOT true) and it goes on abt her feelings for Richard, how she needs to confess… IDK, something abt that scene rubbed me the wrong way. Mainly cuz Russell allowed his feelings for Ellen to push him into sending an innocent person to jail.
Do I recommend it?
Yes. I welcome the slower pace; it adds to the tension of what's going on both on the surface and below it. The movie's available at the free streaming sites, there are YouTube uploads as well. I watched it on Hoopla. I give it a 4 out of 5. Even with the issues I had toward the end, I can't deny how great of a film this is.
Queerness Level: Nonexistent. OTOH, this movie goes the extra mile to show how terribs M/F pairings (explicitly marriage) can be for everyone involved. IDK.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-24 08:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-24 06:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-24 04:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-24 06:39 pm (UTC)(FWIW, the only classic (USian) movies I tend to avoid are war-themed ones, screwball comedies, and anything starring Katherine Hepburn. I'm a heretic, I know.)
no subject
Date: 2024-11-26 04:34 pm (UTC)Leave Her to Heaven is SO FASCINATING!!! And yeah, the casting of Tierney is doing so much heavy lifting in this film. It reminds me of Ava Gardner in The Killers--if anyone less gorgeous had been cast, it would have been unrealistic, but you actually believe this guy would ruin his life over this woman, she's that beautiful.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-26 06:06 pm (UTC)Yes to what you've said abt Leave Her to Heaven (and The Killers too.) The actress has to have that kind of otherworldly beauty that will drive (in this case) men all kinds of bonkers, LOL. I mean, Tierney made Jeanne Crain look plain whenever they were in the same scene!
no subject
Date: 2024-11-26 09:24 pm (UTC)EXACTLY.