fguerras

Hey, people ! Lighten up ! Here are 2 dramatic stars giving more than serviceable performances in admittedly classic roles. But the bonus for me is a whole bunch of songs that I have loved for years. I don't understand how people can't like this tuneful score. I especially love "Takin' A Slow Burn" and "It was Great While It Lasted", but I love the whole score. Can you imagine a full batch of good, original tunes in a movie TODAY ??? Those days are gone forever, so I'll continue to enjoy pleasures like this one. Jane does indeed look gorgeous in her luxurious wardrobe, and that '50s pseudo art-deco apartment is great. Jane's "spastic gall bladder " scene is priceless, and Milland & Helmore in the closet with the hats (no, not THAT closet !) is a delightful bit of business. I'll take this flick any day instead of all these "blowin' up stuff" movies we can't seem to get away from.

CHICAGO ??? "Can't remember any songs ?" Hello, brain-damage victims !!! It's not called "It Happened In Chicago" and one of the great Jule Styne's best songs, "Time After Time", recorded by everyone, is right up there on screen and wasn't even nominated for an Oscar. Technicolor ? There are enough M-G-M Technicolor blockbusters. This is a small, cozy, neighborhood movie that is FULL of wonderful songs, even with the opera numbers thrown in. This movie has that lost art called "charm" by the barrelful. The stars appear to be real people, and as a life-long Brooklynite, it's bathed in old-time Brooklyn nostalgia. Highly recommended to all but brain-damage victims !!!

I was absolutely knocked out by Margaret Lindsay's (NOT Lockwood !!!) bravura performance in this film. It is inconceivable that she wasn't nominated, but 1940 was one of the most competitive Best Actress years ever. She ran the gamut from lovely young girl to pinched spinster. Her range was worthy of Bette Davis (with whom she co-starred many times). I loved the film itself also, and was inspired to read the book, which I loved as well. Miss Lindsay should have received more comment from students of good acting in all these years since the film. She definitely gave one of the finest performances I have ever seen by an actress in the movies, and I'm 63 !