Rudi Pal (Robert Young) is at a casino with his friend Count Armalia (George Zucco), discussing the differences between the rich and the poor. Armalia is convinced that the only difference between the two is luck. Rudi is not persuaded, but later, after Rudi has left, Armalia decides to prove his point by plucking club… Read More Early Women Filmmakers: Dorothy Arzner’s The Bride Wore Red (1937)
Mike Anthony (Clark Gable) and Barney Pells (Franchot Tone) are American reporters living and working in the bustling city of London, where the stories are… not too exciting, actually. The men flip a coin to split the responsibility on two very dull assignments — a Prince’s wedding and an interview with a pilot. Mike gets… Read More Love on the Run (1936)
Published in 1941, Mildred Pierce was written by James M. Cain and is a dramatic story of a mother willing to do anything to preserve her family’s social status through a divorce and the Depression, largely for the benefit of her conniving and wealth-hungry daughter Veda. Adapted to film in 1945, Mildred Pierce has long been one of… Read More Mildred Pierce: Book, Film and Mini-Series
One year, one film: 1947 The film: Possessed, dir. Curtis Bernhardt starring Joan Crawford and Van Heflin Rating: Recommended | Highly Recommended | Must-See When I discovered Possessed in 2013, I declared it my new favorite Joan Crawford film. Joan was, at one time, on my list of least-favorite classic film actresses, but over the course of this… Read More One year, one film: 1947 – Possessed
Jack Kelly (William Haines) is a talented golfer, but can’t spend all of his time on the sport. He and his father (Bert Woodruff) both work for Mr. Waters (George Fawcett), a fellow golfer who runs a shipping company. One day, Mr. Waters fires Pop Kelly, and Jack can’t contain his anger. He grabs the… Read More Spring Fever (1927)
Second Looks is a series in which I re-watch a classic I haven’t seen in a few years, analyzing it with a fresh pair of eyes. Today I’ll be taking a look at The Damned Don’t Cry, starring Joan Crawford. Previous posts in this series can be found in the archives. Nick Prenta (Steve Cochran),… Read More Second Looks: The Damned Don’t Cry (1950)
Ivy Stevens (Joan Crawford) makes her living as a cafe entertainer, generally dressing in silly costumes and performing equally silly routines. Life is swell for Ivy, as she’s met the man she thinks is her true love: a shady salesman named Howard (Neil Hamilton). When Howard breaks up with her, Ivy is so heartbroken that… Read More Laughing Sinners (1931)
Louise Howell (Joan Crawford) has landed herself in a psych ward under the care of Dr. Harvey Willard (Stanley Ridges). She seems frantic and constantly repeats the name “David,” but no one understands what sent her into such a breakdown… …that is, until Dr. Willard convinces her to start talking. In flashback land, the viewer… Read More Possessed (1947)
A note from Lindsey: Exactly a year ago today I published a post about 1939’s The Women, which I had discovered two days earlier. (I posted a very tiny review of it.) Here’s another look at the film, which became an instant favorite and was viewed multiple times last year. The favorite film: The Women,… Read More Favorite things about… The Women (1939)
Young dancer Janie Barlow (Joan Crawford) works at a burlesque show since she can’t find work on a “respectable” stage. When she and some of her fellow dancers are arrested for indecent exposure after a performance, Janie is bailed out by a millionaire named Tod (Franchot Tone) who took a liking to her after seeing… Read More Dancing Lady (1933)
