A Teia de Renda Negra

Whereas "Pillow Talk" introduced us to the "glamorous" Doris Day, "Midnight Lace" certainly focused on both the glamorous and the outright beautiful woman. This is the Doris Day movie that, over the years, has come to be my favourite. No expense was spared in its presentation. Physically, everything in it suggested beauty, from the set to a stunning ensemble of costumes worn by Doris, who could, and did, give every then current model, a "run for the money"! All of this was set up brilliantly to contrast the evil surrounding the villain involved in nefarious scheming. (The elevator scene, and the "stairs" scenes were particularly effective.) This "chiller-thriller" was engrossing in its presentation, and was able to rely on the varied talents of all the fine actors who were used to present it to the public. I feel that it was an Oscar-worthy attempt on Doris' part and she can certainly stand proud for her efforts in the role. Bravo!

Doris Day, as an American married to an Englishman, is being terrorized in "Midnight Lace," also starring Rex Harrison, Myrna Loy, Roddy Mcdowall, and John Gavin. A scary voice speaks in the fog and calls her up on the phone - but she can't get anyone to believe her, even her beloved aunt (Loy) who wants to help but has her suspicions about her niece's mental health. The "midnight lace" is a neat title that refers to some sexy pajamas Kit (Day) buys for her Venetian trip with her husband (Harrison).

The film is based on a play, "Matilda Cried Fire" and probably owes part of its plot to "Dial M for Murder," which was also a play and made into a film by Hitchcock. John Williams is on hand in this film as in "Dial M" as a police inspector.

Unlike "Dial M for Murder," the film abounds with red herrings, so there are plenty of suspects. Roddy Mcdowall is the slimy son of Kit's housekeeper, and John Gavin is an attractive man who at one point comes to her rescue. There's also her neighbor, Peggy (Natasha Thompson). The acting is very good, the biggest and most dramatic role belonging to Day. Few people have enjoyed the variety of career that Day did. A wholesome-looking singer and vivacious actress, she was in in films from 1948. When she was in her late thirties, producer Ross Hunter took advantage of her prettiness and beautiful figure and moved her into glamor roles, making her the #1 box office star. If she's a little over the top in spots here, it's more the material than the actress, and she creates a very sympathetic and likable character. Loy, at 55, is beautiful and sexy. Harrison doesn't have a great deal to do, and Gavin is - well, Gavin, very handsome and charming. Herbert Marshall is part of the cast as well, and along with McDowall, Williams, and Thompson, make up a strong supporting cast.

This movie isn't as good as some others of the same type, but it is very enjoyable and well produced. One of those great Sunday afternoon movies.

Some trivia: A poster mentions that Harrison was distracted during the film because of the death of his wife, Kay Kendall. He was also distracted by the fact that he and Roddy McDowell had done a play together, for which McDowell had won a Tony. The elevator scene where they are all in the elevator together took a while to film so they were all stuck in a small space. McDowell said something and Harrison said, "Yes, and you can stick that Tony up your a** too."

American Kit Preston (Doris Day) lives in London with husband Anthony (Rex Harrison). She starts being stalked and getting phone calls by a man saying he's going to kill her. But nobody else is around when he calls. Is he real or is she going crazy?

A VERY loose remake of "Gaslight". The film is far-fetched (especially at the end) and full of obvious red herrings. Also there were one or two plot threads never adequately explained at the end. Still, this was entertaining. It's very glossy with breath-taking sets and 17 costume changes (!!!) by Day--but this IS a Ross Hunter movie (he did "Imitation of Life" which had the same kind of treatment). So, even when the movie slows down there's always something to look at.

There's mostly solid acting by the entire cast. Harrison was just so-so as the husband but everybody else was fine. John Gavin pops up a few times just being incredibly handsome but actually isn't that bad. Myrna Loy steals the show as Aunt Bea in every scene she's in--and check out the incredibly ugly yellow hat with green sash she wears at one point! Best of all is Day. You might think she would be terrible in a straight dramatic role but she's actually quite good. Her terror at what's happening is totally believable and there's an incredible scene where she has a complete nervous breakdown. She hated making this film because it emotionally wore her down--she vowed never again to do a thriller. That's too bad--she was so good here.

So it's not believable but is still worth watching. Recommended.

As macabre as it sounds, I really enjoyed seeing Doris Day (The Man Who Knew Too Much) get terrorized. She was so convincing in this role especially when she provided a tour de force in acting during that scene where she finally breaks down. I can't believe other commentators were not as moved by this as I was. Rex Harrison (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Cleopatra, My Fair Lady) is also very good in this role though I don't think he is challenged very much here. John Williams is once again the diligent inspector as he was in the two Alfred Hitchcock hits Dial M For Murder and To Catch a Thief, both of which coincidentally starred Grace Kelly. The great Roddy McDowell (Planet of the Apes) is here just as a red herring but he is welcome nonetheless. All in all a good thriller, 8/10.

I started seeing this movie without great expectations but I must admit that it was a very positive surprise. David Miller has made a movie which in my opinion is to be compared with the best Hitchcock ever made. An excellent cast: John Gavin and Myrna Loy give good performances and Rex Harrison is - as always - Rex Harrison.

But it's Doris Days film. She was perfect in "The Man Who Knew Too Much" but here she's better. An outstanding performance. No other actress can look so terror-stricken, without overacting. The sequence where she is stuck in an elevator, gives a good impression of what she can.

If you haven't seen this movie - rush to see it.