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glitteryvOMG, I'VE COMPLETED THE FANNISH 50 FOR A THIRD TIME!!!!. NGL, I tried to make sure to have some stuff to talk abt BUT, at the same time, I wasn't fully sure it'd be enough to reach the finish line. 😅😅😅
In any case, I do plan to keep posting. At the v. least continue Noirvember and then a couple of posts for December. Woo-hoo to me, tho! 🥳
Suspense (YouTube)
A 1946 Monumental Pictures film that stars Barry Sulivan as Joe Morgan, Belita as Roberta Leonard, Albert Dekker as Robert Leornard, Eugene Palette as Harry Wheeler, and Bonita Grenville as Ronnie.
It begins with Joe, a drifter from the East Coast, who is now looking for work in Los Angeles. One guy tells him to talk to Mr. Leonard, the owner of an ice capade-type of show. Joe gets a job as a peanut seller. He's kinda 'meh' abt but, whatever. That is until Roberta (Mr. Leonard's wife) does her floor show. Suddenly, Joe is MESMERIZED, TAKEN, DROOLING, GAGA OVER THE HEAD with her. Afterwards, he begins to insinuate himself a little both with Roberta (i.e. pursing her romantically) and with Mr. Leonard (by showing him that he's got what it takes to be the general manager of the show).
After a promotion as Assistant Stage Manager, Joe redoubles his efforts to woo Roberta. Meanwhile, there's a woman named Ronnie who shows up back in Joe's life. It seems they have some history; Ronnie's DETERMINED to try to win him back, I guess?
Despite sounding like some melodrama, this is a 100% noir film. It deffo has the beats (questionable pasts for several characters, business that might or might not be on the level, Roberta AND Ronnie being femme fatales, Joe's obsession with Roberta, and the cinematography presenting the whole mess in fascinating shots.).
HOWEVER, the thing that makes this movie stand out from other noirs is that Belita (the actress portraying Roberta) was an ex-Olympic ice skater. So there are a lot of scenes where she's doing her thing on ice. And, like, at first, it sounds v. gimmicky. How the hell is noir gonna mix with someone skating on an ice rink? IDK what to tell you other that it all works really well, LOL.
The acting, lighting, and dialogue are all good!
I liked Barry Sullivan the most out of the cast. His portrayal of Joe as a guy who is dark in a way that is obnoxious but intriguing. Belita's Roberta is such a mystery. IHNI what her game was until near the end.
Do I have any criticisms?
Out of the 7 ice skating sequences, there were two scenes that I was v. meh abt. I kinda wish they'd been cut from the final edit.
Do I recommend it?
Yes! I know it's a weird premise, but the movie has a tight plot. I'm giving it a 4 out of 5. I think the only place it's currently available is YT right now.
Queerness level:
Non-existent, maybe? I'm kinda 🤔at Mr. Leonard cuz there are some vibes I picked up abt him and Joe that made me go "HMMMMMMMMMM".
In any case, I do plan to keep posting. At the v. least continue Noirvember and then a couple of posts for December. Woo-hoo to me, tho! 🥳
Suspense (YouTube)
A 1946 Monumental Pictures film that stars Barry Sulivan as Joe Morgan, Belita as Roberta Leonard, Albert Dekker as Robert Leornard, Eugene Palette as Harry Wheeler, and Bonita Grenville as Ronnie.
It begins with Joe, a drifter from the East Coast, who is now looking for work in Los Angeles. One guy tells him to talk to Mr. Leonard, the owner of an ice capade-type of show. Joe gets a job as a peanut seller. He's kinda 'meh' abt but, whatever. That is until Roberta (Mr. Leonard's wife) does her floor show. Suddenly, Joe is MESMERIZED, TAKEN, DROOLING, GAGA OVER THE HEAD with her. Afterwards, he begins to insinuate himself a little both with Roberta (i.e. pursing her romantically) and with Mr. Leonard (by showing him that he's got what it takes to be the general manager of the show).
After a promotion as Assistant Stage Manager, Joe redoubles his efforts to woo Roberta. Meanwhile, there's a woman named Ronnie who shows up back in Joe's life. It seems they have some history; Ronnie's DETERMINED to try to win him back, I guess?
Despite sounding like some melodrama, this is a 100% noir film. It deffo has the beats (questionable pasts for several characters, business that might or might not be on the level, Roberta AND Ronnie being femme fatales, Joe's obsession with Roberta, and the cinematography presenting the whole mess in fascinating shots.).
HOWEVER, the thing that makes this movie stand out from other noirs is that Belita (the actress portraying Roberta) was an ex-Olympic ice skater. So there are a lot of scenes where she's doing her thing on ice. And, like, at first, it sounds v. gimmicky. How the hell is noir gonna mix with someone skating on an ice rink? IDK what to tell you other that it all works really well, LOL.
The acting, lighting, and dialogue are all good!
I liked Barry Sullivan the most out of the cast. His portrayal of Joe as a guy who is dark in a way that is obnoxious but intriguing. Belita's Roberta is such a mystery. IHNI what her game was until near the end.
Do I have any criticisms?
Out of the 7 ice skating sequences, there were two scenes that I was v. meh abt. I kinda wish they'd been cut from the final edit.
Do I recommend it?
Yes! I know it's a weird premise, but the movie has a tight plot. I'm giving it a 4 out of 5. I think the only place it's currently available is YT right now.
Queerness level:
Non-existent, maybe? I'm kinda 🤔at Mr. Leonard cuz there are some vibes I picked up abt him and Joe that made me go "HMMMMMMMMMM".
