Viewed this for the first time over the weekend; great Noir storyline but Ms. Leslie's characterization was just too good to be believed, down to her 1940s severe hairstyles. Louis Hayward is a wonderful "cad" but at one of their last blowouts - I believe they were on stage after a performance, for a cast party and he was plastered - the interaction between them was unbelievable. Too "let a smile be your umbrella". A good Joan Leslie Noir appearance: "The Hard Way" with the always fabulous Ida Lupino. I also couldn't figure out what made Richard Basehart's character go insane but I'm gathering it had something to do with Natalie Schafer's character.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Men in White
(1934)
If Doctors Today Could Only Afford the Time to be that Empathetic!
30 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was a classic melodrama and my headling "crack" is mainly directed at the Insurance Companies. My father was a doctor (back in the '50s-'60s) and would have lamented the restriction on his time that came into being not too long after he left his Practice. But I digress ... I was stumped by the "situation" between Gable and Ms. Allan, only to be glad to read that others were too. While yes, it was implied by her sitting on the bed and removing her cap that a little "hanky panky" was in their future, once the crisis hit, you had her buddy-the-nurse dressing down Gable, yet when Hersholt asks "who was the man (father of the unborn child)?" and the nurse demurs ... was she protecting Gable or was this the result of a previous transgression of Ms. Allan's? Remember, she wasn't feeling well - almost fainted - in the diabetic child's room.
Myrna Loy was so lovely, particularly in her early films ... although I thought if I heard her call the doctor "Hochey" one more time ... it just didn't work for her to have that kind of intimacy with someone of his prestige, particularly inside his place of work.
Mr. Hersholt went on to do a radio program "Dr. Christian" where you'd swear he was channeling his character in this film. And I've always loved his portrayal of the grandfather in "Heidi" (Shirley Temple).
Myrna Loy was so lovely, particularly in her early films ... although I thought if I heard her call the doctor "Hochey" one more time ... it just didn't work for her to have that kind of intimacy with someone of his prestige, particularly inside his place of work.
Mr. Hersholt went on to do a radio program "Dr. Christian" where you'd swear he was channeling his character in this film. And I've always loved his portrayal of the grandfather in "Heidi" (Shirley Temple).
Mister Cory
(1957)
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!
5 April 2021
Finally found a copy of it - a $5 download. Hadn't seen it in years so was fun to finally see it last evening. All of the major "players" are fabulous - Tony's hair is to die for - but I particularly enjoyed Henry Daniell as Tony's boss - and then employee - in what must have been one of his last roles. Kathryn Grant Crosby was almost too good to be true - but fun (and you can definitely see the resemblance to her daughter Mary). The dress/coat ensemble she wore to the opening of Cory's club was fabulous - classic '50s evening wear. I just read that the locale of the Wisconsin beach was really California , which was sort of a disappointment. But just today I crossed "South Sangamon Street" while doing errands. Martha Hyer's beauty precedes her - fun little fact: my mother was president of the Pi Beta Phi house at NU when Martha - and Patricia Neal - pledged. Ms. Hyer was a brunette/redhead in those days, from sorority pics I've seen. My mother recalled that she was indeed a beauty!
A Family Affair
(1937)
Didn't Realize This was The Initial Take on the Andy Hardy Series
4 March 2021
Always thought it was "Judge Hardy's Children". But this was fun stuff and I always enjoy Barrymore and Byington; Sara Haden was much less spinsterly in this as was the case as the series developed. The story was certainly more serious than the series came to be - and as someone pointed out, Judge Hardy was the focal point and not Andy. Sure glad that they ultimately cast Ann Rutherford in the "Polly Benedict" role.
The Extra Girl
(1923)
First Time Watching an M.N. Picture to the End ...
2 February 2019
I must say I have never been a big fan of Mabel's - lose interest pretty quickly in anything I've attempted to watch, but I really enjoyed this one and mainly due to the impressive camera work and the fact that unless they could employ camera tricks, it would appear she's doing her own stunts! The scene where she and Ralph Graves are fleeing in that horse drawn cart (basically) was unbelievable - for both of them frankly. I know in those days actors' lives weren't as highly valued (read: insured) as they came to be but this was something. Kudos to her.
Linda
(1929)
Wonderful Find - 1920s Fashion in All Its Glory, Too!
6 October 2018
Siskel Theater in Chicago is showcasing Women Directors this month - I was completely taken with the story, the acting and the filmmaking particularly - seemed so much more natural than other films of this era. The scenes set in "the big City" are breathtaking for the clothes the women are wearing - you couldn't ask for a better example of the styles of the day - particularly if you are a costumer looking for inspiration. Loved seeing Noah Berry as, while he SO resembles his brother, I've rarely seem in any film. A young Warner Baxter was delightful too. 73 minutes of a pretty compelling story, such as stories were on those days! Bravo Mrs. Reid!
By Love Possessed
(1961)
Lana Turner Never Fails; Movie is Disjointed
26 July 2013
There's nothing better than Lana's voice when she's being quietly emphatic about whatever ... she can purr with the best of them and takes you back to her earliest days in film. Otherwise, the movie seems to jump all over the place as far as plot/who we really want to focus on. In many ways Zimbalist and Robards should have switched parts: to see Hamilton get riled up each time he has a conversation with the incredibly passive Zimbalist is laughable. Great '60s period piece, great cast - the inimitable Thomas Mitchell (Pa O'Hara from "GWTW"), Everett Sloane and Barbara Bel Geddes ("Miss Ellie" from "Dallas") add to the fun of this soaper (I agree with the review that says "Sirk - without Sirk") and it was a good find.
In Our Time
(1944)
What a Great Find!
2 July 2013
Stumbled onto this on TCM ... granted, it's a wartime film to be sure - down to the "Buy War Bonds" cleverly configured Warner Brothers credit at the end, and brimming with patriotic emotion - but incredibly enjoyable/entertaining. I was happily surprised by all the talent in the cast - besides the ALWAYS wonderful Ida Lupino and the wonderfully debonair/attractive Paul Henreid (sigh!), it was delightful to see - albeit briefly - Mary Boland (for an extensive Mary Boland treat, check her out in "The Women"). And the rarely-seen-on-screen Alla Nazimova was illuminating ... while I heard her name being mentioned by the host, I didn't put it together until afterward. Great WWII Western European homefront film - highly recommend it!
Two Against the World
(1932)
Constance Bennett - A Gem!
31 May 2013
Wonderful movie for its time - great story with lots of intricate twists - and while I agree that the pairing of Bennett and Hamilton might be a bit off, it was wonderfully (naturally) acted all around. It was particularly fun to see Helen Vinson in such a feminine light before she became known for her "shrewish" roles (see "In Name Only" for one) and "Aunt Em" Clara Blandick as the snobbish spinster aunt was fun, too. Anticipating the "human clotheshanger" Bennett's appearance each scene is always fun. Don't agree that Carole Lombard would have been right for this role - just not enough sophistication for the part although no flies on her!!! Very enjoyable and I also underline how underrated Constance Bennett was!!!
Tomorrow Is Another Day
(1951)
Great Film - Hilariously Classic Ending
19 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Fell into this by accident and couldn't turn it off even though it was 1am ... great story if melodramatic but that's why we love Noir, right? Ruth Roman is wonderful as always and it was fun to watch how easily she turned that platinum blond helmet into brunette (in the motel bathroom) as well as her tough dance-hall girl demeanor into the kind hearted maternal woman! The ingenious ways in which they seemingly easily made their way from NYC to Northern California were fabulous ... Steve Cochran is sure easy on the eyes ... great story but the ending was such that all I could do was laugh! Everyone got what they wanted - including the turncoat!
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