As the destruction and danger of World War I continue to sweep across the continent, American officer Frederick Henry (Rock Hudson) finds himself serving in an ambulance unit alongside the Italian army. After being wounded, Frederick is cared for by Red Cross nurse Catherine Barkley (Jennifer Jones). Catherine is no stranger to him. They met earlier, near the front, and only grow closer as he … Continue reading A Farewell to Arms (1957)
The favorite film: All That Heaven Allows, a 1955 melodrama from the soap king himself, Douglas Sirk The synopsis: In a well-to-do suburban town, Cary Scott lives alone. Her two children are in college, and her husband has died, leaving her with an empty home and a less-than-active social life. Her friend Sara and admirer Harvey do their best to bring her out of her … Continue reading Favorite things about… All That Heaven Allows (1955)
Bob Merrick (Rock Hudson) is a daredevil. Notorious for pulling off dangerous stunts, he’s an adrenaline junkie. One day, while driving his speedboat too fast on the lake, he crashes. In the small town of Brightwood, there’s only one resuscitator, so it’s brought to the scene of the crash from the house of Dr. Wayne Phillips, the head of the local hospital. Bob survives thanks … Continue reading Second Looks: Magnificent Obsession (1954)
Note: Today we end our exploration of The Complete James Dean Collection with a review of Giant. If you missed ’em, here are the other reviews from the set: East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause. Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson) is a very wealthy rancher living in Texas. When he travels North to buy a horse, he meets the beautiful Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor). … Continue reading The Films of James Dean: Giant (1956)
Written on the Wind (1956): 3/5 Douglas Sirk is the king of the 1950s melodrama, and also one of my favorite directors. Pair that with Lauren Bacall, who I delusionally but lovingly refer to as the queen of the world, and Rock Hudson, the king of pretty 1950s men, and you’ve got some pretty high expectations coming from me. The film follows alcoholic oil man … Continue reading Written on the Wind (1956)
Originally published on recollective.tumblr.com, January 7, 2012 Watched January 5, 2012 Cain and Mabel (1936): 3/5; This movie as a whole didn’t grab me. Clark Gable and Marion Davies are captivating as usual, but I could tell how the film was going to play out the minute I started watching (despite my DVR clipping the first few minutes). That’s not to say it isn’t an … Continue reading Mixed bag: Cain and Mabel (1936), Tempest (1982), Send Me No Flowers (1964), Pillow Talk (1959), Tenth Avenue Angel (1948), Love Story (1970), Lover Come Back (1961)
