Na Voragem das Paixões

Lillian Hellman's play "Toys in the Attic" was adapted for the screen in 1963. The story is reminiscent of Williams, as it concerns a southern family with lots of hidden secrets. Dean Martin stars as Julian, a man who's made a career out of losing jobs and money. He returns to the family home in New Orleans with his young bride (Yvette Mimieux) with a plan to make a quick fortune. Martin is ok in this role, and Mimieux plays her part as the naive bride very well. But the reason to see this is the powerful acting of the two ladies who play Julian's sisters. Oscar winners Wendy Hiller (Anna) and Geraldine Page (Carrie) are amazing in this picture. Anna is the more mature, careful sister, while Carrie is emotional and dramatic. Carrie's obsession with Julian is unhealthy, and Anna realizes this. And there is also some conflict with Julian's mother-in-law, and the people he's scheming to make money with. Honestly, unless Ms Hiller or Ms Page is onscreen, then this film bores me. As Carrie, Geraldine Page gave another of her incredible screen performances. From "little girl flirty" to "self righteously indignant", Ms Page doesn't strike a false note once in this picture. Carrie's obsession with her brother causes trouble for everyone else, and in some ways resembles the character Alma that Page played in "Summer and Smoke". As Anna, Wendy Hiller perfectly plays the older sister who's spent years worrying and caring for her siblings, yet all the time knowing what the deep secret is in her family's attic. Gene Tierney is impressive in a small role as Dean Martin's mother-in-law, as is Larry Gates as the vengeful businessman Martin deals with. But despite Dean Martin's top billing, this is a show for the talents of two gifted actresses, with Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller making the most of this Southern gothic melodrama.

As is pointed out in the acclaimed biography of Dean Martin by Nick Tosches, Toys In The Attic was the last serious role that Dino attempted on the big screen. His less than stellar reviews in comparison to Jason Robards, Jr. who did it on the stage probably convinced Martin to stick with what he knew best.

I don't think Dean was all that bad in the part, the problem was he did not have that much to work with. When you think about it the roles he played in Some Came Running and Ada could have been dress rehearsals for Julian Berniers in Toys In The Attic. I just don't think the play itself is up to the standards Lillian Hellman set for herself in The Little Foxes.

In fact the subject matter seems to be more Tennessee Williams than Lillian Hellman. Martin is the younger ne'er do well brother of spinsters Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller. Page is kind of Blanche Dubois flighty type on the surface, but she really rules the Berniers roost. And she's got a nice incestuous thing for her brother.

Who is now married to Yvette Mimieux, a young, but even mentally younger child like bride. Dino's got a deal cooking with the wife of a big tycoon played by Larry Gates. Years ago he had a fling with his wife Nan Martin, but now they're just seeking to take the big guy for a big score.

On stage the Gates and Martin parts are not played, but talked about. When Lillian Hellman's play was on stage the sisters were played by Maureen Stapleton and Anne Revere. Revere in the part Hiller does won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. The play ran 463 performances in the 1960-1961 season.

I think if the part Dino had was played by Paul Newman or Montgomery Clift, the film might have been marginally better. But even more so Lillian Hellman was poaching on Tennessee Williams subject matter and she should have kept off the grass.

Lillian Hellman wrote some amazingly raw films about screwed up Southern families. She was, in many ways, like a female version of Tennessee Williams--with stories having many of the same themes and even some of the stories set in the same locales--such as Louisiana. Several of her plays went on to become movie classics--the most famous of which was Bette Davis' splendid "Little Foxes". Others, such as "Toys in the Attic" didn't exactly become classics--but they are worth seeing. My advice with this movie, however, is that you force yourself to keep watching. The first portion isn't particularly distinguished and the craziness all begins later in the movie.

The story begins with Julian (Dean Martin) working on some business deal. When he and his wife, Lily (Yvette Mimieux) arrive back to see their families in Louisiana, things sound great. Julian has announced that one of his deals went through and he is now rich. He lavishes gifts on his two spinster sisters (Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller). During this phase of the film, Page's character is REALLY, REALLY annoying. She talks non-stop and the tone of her voice could incite murder!! My advice is to grit your teeth and stick with it--all sorts of nasty craziness is to follow! What? Well, see the film for yourself.

The film is NOT perfect--and it's obvious when you see an Italian-American (Martin) playing the brother. The casting just didn't make much sense, though his acting was just fine in the film. As I mentioned above, Page's acting also seemed to be a bit too much at times. But, the story is golden if you keep watching. Don't believe me--see it for yourself! It gets pretty icky!

Heavy dramatics and a suffocating atmosphere make this a challenge at times. What it has to balance out all the weighty goings on is acting of the highest order. Dean Martin, Yvette Mimieux and Gene Tierney all contribute excellent work but the real fireworks is between Geraldine Page and Wendy Hiller as Dean's sisters.

While Gerry Page has the showier role it's Wendy Hiller who gives the film's best performance. With subdued delivery and subtle looks she conveys a wealth of background into both who she is and the history of the entire family's dynamic. It's a wise choice, if she had fluttered and extrapolated as Page's Carrie does the viewer would never be able to make it past the first five minutes of the film.

One step removed from a Tennessee Williams chamber piece this will be enjoyed most by fans of his work as well as fans of great acting.

What genetic combination would produce Geraldine Page, Wendy Hiller and Dino? It's a credit to these two phenomenal actresses that, despite their wildly different features and Ms. Hiller's occasional drop into pure Dame-speak (listen to the way she says "Europe") you never question that they are sisters. Mr. Martin is just a different kind of talent, but acquits himself nicely. (His character's going out and buying sexy negligees for his spinster sisters creeps out the modern viewer somewhat, but perhaps that is intentional.) Yvette Mimieux is very appealing (her role is saned-up a bit from the character in the play, who was even further off the rails) and the camera loves her thick, shiny, butter-blonde hair. If you're a fan of the "Hush, Hush...Sweet Charlotte"/"Kings Row" school of drama, or a Hellmann aficionado, or, like me, someone who'd watch Wendy Hiller in anything from Shakespeare to infomercials, this fast-paced, soundly-made picture is well worth the rental fee. Heck, if it were out on DVD, I'd buy it.