Saturday, July 2, 2011

Another score for 1939: Dark Victory

I wouldn't consider myself an uber-fan of Bette Davis, but over the years I believe she has grown on me. Her talent is immeasurable, and she isn't a "classic beauty" (which I like),  so I think I can join the throngs of fans and say that, "My name is Emily, and I too like Bette Davis." Blame Dark Victory. Said to be Bette's favorite role to play and her biggest box office draw up to that point, this film shows Bette at her best, with lots of melodrama and secrets.


Bette plays Judith, a rich, stubborn, party girl who loves horses and recently has been getting awful headaches. She and bestie Ann love to drink and smoke. After falling off her horse, running into people, and a laughable trip down the stairs (sorry Bette, but it is kinda funny) she decides to see the old family physician. He is clueless and sends her over to Dr. Steele, que in George Brent.



                             Yes, that is a young Ronnie Reagan playing bit part playboy lush, Alec.


Dr. Steele examines Judith and watches her behavior. She is in denial and is being difficult. Dr. Steele watches as she has trouble lighting her cigarette.


He tells Judith she needs brain surgery, and after a load of push back, she agrees. Before the surgery she is smoking, requesting she wear her own frocks, and complaining about her bed being too small, but isn't that what rich gals do?



Once it is all over Dr. Steele learns some terrible news. Judith has cancer and she will die. Oh no! He decides not to tell her and  figures she will discover this info sooner or later, like on her death bed. She will have no pain, but start going blind hours before the end. I love how doctors know so much. She has about six months to live. Ignorance is bliss.



Judith is full of life again and back to throwing parties and smoking like a chimney. She is so happy, but Dr. Steele is sad because he likes her and realizes she is going to die. He can't hold it in much longer and shares his secret with pal Ann. She must also keep the secret.





Judith tells Ann she is in love with Dr. Steele and Ann tells him. So very high school of her. He decides to marry her and make her few last months great. Before moving to Vermont with the doctor, Judith stumbles across her files and learns the truth!



Prognisis Negative!
Judith goes on a binge with Ronnie and then dumps the doctor.


After a night of too much booze, Judith meets up with horse handler Micheal played by contract player and virtually unknown Humphrey Bogart (with a really bad haircut). He usually helps with the horses but now he wants to be with Judith. They share some time in the barn and she realizes she must try to make the best of her days. She decides to go back with the doctor. Must have been one bad kiss!



Judith and the doctor get married and move to Vermont. They act like nothing is bad and are happy.



Ann comes to visit, and while gardening Judith starts to go blind. The end is near! She swears Ann to secrecy (she is good at that) sends hubby on his business trip, says goodbye to the doggies, and heads up stairs. 






This film has great acting, and because of "Gone With The Wind", and "The Wizard Of Oz", got mixed in the shuffle. Bette was nominated for best actress but did not win. This movie is not a happy ending type of film, but one with a solid plot and great performances. Directed by Edmund Goulding of Grand Hotel fame and produced by David Lewis and the great, Hal B. Wallis. During production, Bette was struggling personally as her marriage to Harmon Nelson. Wallis advised her to use her personal pain in her character. She had just come off her win for best actress for Jezebel, and would be nominated the next year for Dark Victory, with nominations for The Letter, Little Foxes, and Now, Voyager consecutively. 


Love the feather purse.


Monday, June 27, 2011

Quote Of The Day


"It isn't what they say about you, it's what they whisper."
-Errol Flynn

"Down Argentine Way"

I really think you can do no wrong by coupling Don Ameche and Betty Grable. I love them together and on their own. This cute film which is bursting with technicolor is no different.



Don and his father sell horses and father tells Don that he won't sell any to the Crawfords (they are bad news). While at a horse race, Don meets Betty who wants to buy the horse. He agrees because she is so beautiful, until he learns she is a Crawford!


She gets mad at him and heads back to the USA. She tells auntie (Charlotte Greenwood, who I love) that she wants to buys some horses and is heading to Argentina again to shop. Auntie knows whats up and calls her out. She is really going down to find Don!

When she arrives Betty is taken out by what she thinks is her dad's friend, but us really a tour guide. She has a blast with him until she sees Don. After a slap, they decide to be friends.




Don and Betty learn from Don's worker that his best jump horse likes to race, and they decide to train him to be a winner. Auntie teams up with the tour guide for some fun.




Father is going to be furious when he finds out that Don is racing  the horse and canoodling with a Crawford! But the two are in love. 



Carmen Miranda has a bit part in this film, as it is her first. 


The Nicholson Brothers also have a cameo and do a wonderful dance that was lengthened by the director because of how well it did during test screenings.


This film really set Betty's career into full motion and gave Carmen Miranda the attention from the USA she was looking for. Don Ameche just looks handsome as always.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

"Niagara"

Despite not liking Marilyn Monroe, I do like this film. Maybe because she isn't in the whole thing. This is a great film noir with excellent scenery and cute costumes costarring Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, and Max Showalter. 



George (Joseph) is married to Rose (Marilyn) and on vay cay at Niagara Falls. They are unhappy and sleeping in. Newlyweds Polly (Jean) and Ray (Max) are visiting the same stop and meet Rose as she is leaving for the market. During sightseeing time at the falls they spy Rose swapping spit with someone other than her husband.


Later that night the couple meet Rose again during the motel dance off and learn that her hubby has issues. Rose dresses sexy and plays sexy tunes, and her husband gets mad and breaks the record.



George and Polly get better acquainted when she helps him with his cut hand. He seems normal but depressed.


This dress makes me want to sew!


George knows something is up when he finds a ticket for the falls in Rose's pocket. Meanwhile, Rose calls her lover and tells him the "plan" must go down tomorrow at the falls...


The next day Rose knows what is going to happen but plays dumb and tells Polly and Max she is worried because George is MIA. Polly and Max meet up with work friends and take to the falls.



Rose gets word that the plan worked and goes to see the body at the morgue. What she sees sends her to the hospital with fret. The wrong person was murdered! The one that got away is now after Rose.


There is a long chase and in the end, Rose gets what she deserves and the killer is on the loose. He captures a boat with Polly on it that is headed to the falls!



With Max watching with fear (Oh my!), Polly gets a chance to jump ship right before the boat goes over with the killer still inside. What a vacation to remember!



This was a fun movie with a few serious scenes and some silly ones as well. This is the only role Marilyn would have where her character was killed. She was still under contract and ended up making less money for this film then the crew.