dstanwyck

Puhleeze! What in hell are they doing? When she's wrong, she's so wrong, she's worse. Of course, when she's great, she's very good. I. mean, she is an interesting character, on and off screen. But, let's face it, in too many films, she's involved as as a solo act. Mitchum, in the beginning of his career, and throughout, is always fascinating in his laconic, unusual way. (Brilliant in the Night of the Hunter.). Shirley MacLaine said he was the most poetic, intelligent actor she'd ever worked with. No doubt. Robert Taylor is invariable in his performances. Bland (as is his expressionless face) and a one-note Charlie. What the great Stanwyck saw in him, is beyond me. What the public saw in him, ditto. Minnelli should have stayed with his wonderful musicals, his dramas are searching for air. Turgidity is descriptive. Maybe The Bad and the Beautiful. Save Lana Turner. False back lot shootings of their house and property. Marjorie Main couldn't quite get going. Too brief and really no place for her style to go anywhere. Jayne Meadows was usually interesting in her all too few performances - tall, icy, remote being. (Steve Allen, the great, used her well.) Long story short: A stink-a-roo.

An utter injustice to the great Bronte girls, Charlotte and Emily. What WERE the Warner boys thinking? Their stuff is either great, or its complete opposite. This was the opposite. The swell of all too typical background music, Korngold in this case, haunts the background as well as the foreground. The scenery is blatantly false. The direction, Bernhardt's, whom I like nicely, at times, was taking naps while all the non-action of the action was going on. (Arthur Kennedy, a non-winning AA nominee 5 times, not for this film, although he was good. Should of won one of them.) No further comment. A sad mess of everything.

If you're tired and need to rest for awhile, put this ragmop movie on and have a sweet snooze. What about it this film has any appeal to anyone at anytime, 1946 or any year before or after? I can't imagine. Has there ever been a movie with such poor acting - even the wonderful Peter Lorre - lousy writing (Curt Siodmak, no less!) and equally poor (Robert Florey, no less!) All the actors were sleep-walking through it. Andrea King, especially, to the point of being annoying. Costume pieces are not her style. Started off with a hint of something, maybe. But the hint wilted into nothing. All in all, if you're tired, take a look at this claptrap. You'll sleep like a baby.