Tags
1940, Barbara Stanwyck, Christmas movies, Fred MacMurray, Mitchell Leisen, Monique classique, Remember the Night
With Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Directed by Mitchell Leisen.
26 Saturday Dec 2020
Posted Legends, Recommendations
inTags
1940, Barbara Stanwyck, Christmas movies, Fred MacMurray, Mitchell Leisen, Monique classique, Remember the Night
With Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Directed by Mitchell Leisen.
06 Wednesday Aug 2014
Posted Recommendations
inThis review was published by me at http://www.conradveidtforever.wordpress.com
“Above Suspicion” was Conrad’s last film, and it was nice to see him again as a good character. He is, in a way, the guardian angel (just like in “The Passing of the Third Floor Back”). His face has some sort of holiness about it, and the aura of his persona makes me feel that he is indeed on his way to a better world. Even his monocle shines different in front of the camera lights, and his tender smile and attentive, gallant gestures are also very impressive to me. I think this was a role that made him feel relieved and I also think that he knew he would be soon gone forever – and this is visible in this particular film, in his performance. If you look at his last publicity portraits you will observe something different in his look, on his facial expression, that reflects a man who is tired, resigned and very pensive. To me, Connie was the most charismatic and lively figure among the actors, and he managed to create, with great talent and taste, an artistry of his own and truthful to his charismatic presence and distinguished style, that has no comparison in the entire cinema history. For this, we owe him the deepest and most sincere “Thank you!”.
19 Wednesday Feb 2014
Posted Recommendations
inI recommend this week the definitive film noir in Hollywood history: “Double Indemnity”. Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson, this motion picture presents the story of two lovers who plan to kill the heroine’s husband for his health insurance. It was directed by Billy Wilder, who is one of the most appreciated filmmakers in Hollywood, and it earned seven nominations at the Academy Awards, for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Writing, Screenplany, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Music. “Double Indemnity” has all the typical aspects of the film noir genre: somber, dark mood, damp streets, a fascinating use of lights and shadows, a mysterious crime, a hard-boiled hero, and, of course, a femme fatale, played by Barbara Stanwyck. As a matter of fact, Phyllis, the character she played, is considered the definitive femme fatale in classic film noir history. She is the one who uses her sex-appeal to seduce and determine the hero – an insurance representative (MacMurray) to help her make the crime plan work to perfection. But their shameless and sinful behaviour is punished by the end of the film, as both of them lose control of their own destiny and kill or hurt each other. Death is the symbolical punishment used in most of the films noirs, as a result of the characters’ inner problems (frustration, hate, obsession, vengefulness, destruction, and even sadism) and needs (security, money, power and freedom, most of the times). The characters are tortured by their own self and by the suffocative city, which encompases a closed world, a trap without escape. I highly recommend you to watch “Double Indemnity”, as it is one of the most famous classic films in history, and, what is more, you will never get bored, because films noirs could never be boring, owing to their complex plots and fascinating characters.