lawrence_elliott

I love this film! The frenetic pace of ambition told with explanation captivated my attention and made me obsessive about watching this story many times. The perverted nature of the love interest is fascinating as the story unfolds quickly and unrelentingly. The script in this movie is the winner and the lines are worth every minute of expression. George Peppard plays a Howard Hughes like character whose callous charm rivets the audience into submission as he hammers home one successful business into another. His personal life is haunted by never having had a mother growing up and a secret about an insane brother that motivates his obsessive perfectionism in business. Alan Ladd plays the "Max Sand" character who has helped raise Jonas Cord from childhood. Ladd's final movie leaves an indelible imprint here as his quiet masculinity pervades the storyline making the audience beg for more. The love story takes on several angles but is woven interestingly into a tangled web of intrigue and lust that meanders into a crowd pleasing conclusion. I highly recommend this movie not only for its script and depth of perspective into human character but also for its portrayal of early Hollywood and the machinations of a self made businessman who is hell bent on being first in several related businesses using capitalism as his tool for progress.

This movie has to rate highly just for giving us an historical record of Marilyn Monroe. She gives a riveting portrait of herself. Billy Wilder's script and directing make it interesting and amusing to say the least. Tom Ewell is magnificent as the "free for the summer" husband who is constantly trying to check and contain his passions and desires for smoking, drinking and womanizing. With Marilyn Monroe as the temptress who could remain loyal and true? Oscar Homolka as the psychoanalyst is exciting and hilarious. Miss Morris the secretary is also fun. His wife plays a ghostly portrait in the background as the ever present wife. The reference to Dorian Gray adds spice to the humour. This film is great from top to bottom and I highly recommend it. A fun movie with great humour. Marilyn Monroe portrays herself and is really quite good. Watch it in the heat of the summer. The movie will tell you why. The famous subway scene of Marilyn's dress flying high and exposing her legs is worth the wait as they foray from the air conditioned theatre after a viewing of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon." Marilyn's titillating performance engages the audience as does Tom Ewell's efforts to resist temptation.