"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
There are two recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
First up is 1950's Gun Crazy.
Joseph H. Lewis, who directed quite a few spirited films noir (i.e. A Lady Without Passport, Cry of the Hunted, The Big Combo, et al) really outdid himself with this little number. The multifaceted personality of Bart Tare (perfectly captured by John Dall's naturalistic portrayal) is thoroughly examined especially his strange fascination with guns from age 7 to young adulthood. This clever approach to character development really pays off when he first encounters carnival sharp-shooter Annie Laurie Starr (played to delicious perfection by a suitably sexy and sassy Peggy Cummins). These two go together like Smith & Wesson. They will embark on a life of crime, armed by their mutual love of firepower, fully loaded with a continuous desire to reciprocate their burning passion for one another.
This is film noir's lively precursor to the classic Bonnie and Clyde, the latter motion picture portraying the famous duo as mythical characters attractively reinvented for the rebellious youthful spirit of the late 60s. Furthermore, Bonnie and Clyde pays little attention to their motive for stealing with its "great depression" setting being explanation enough: a simple rationale totally befitting the 1930s gangster movies. Alternatively, Gun Crazy's focus is on the conflicting tumultuous psychologies of its partners in crime, eschewing external influences in favour of distinctively internal noir attributes of extreme desire, conflict and identity. Even though they are impoverished at one point, their resulting decision to rob others will be analysed in full by both the principal and supporting characters. We come to know Tare quite well before he meets Starr, and will realise afterward the ever-widening gap between a strong will against violating his moral values like hurting people versus an obsessive longing to keep the ruthless and vengeful Annie satisfied. Guess who wins?
The brilliantly fashioned, dynamic screenplay written by MacKinlay Kantor and Millard Kaufman (fronting for blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo) is putty in the hands of director Lewis whose directorial flare fires up every moment like the matches during a carnival show. Don't miss his incredibly long take of a bank robbery photographed entirely from the backseat of Bart and Annie's vehicle. With this much inspired storytelling, there's no need to see what happens inside the bank; there's plenty of suspense outside. Witness the exhilarating moment afterward when Bart and Annie suddenly cannot separate. There's also no necessity for the frequent noir device of a voice-over narration since Tare is constantly questioning life on the run, Starr's amoral actions, his own complicity, a deep co-dependency with Annie, and the resulting disappointment of his friends and family. These distinctive insights into character make both participants seem so ‘noirishly’ real, add concern over their plight and allow them a developmental journey that finally becomes emotionally consuming. One of the Top Ten Films Noir, Gun Crazy is scheduled to air on TCM (updated) Tuesday, October 10 (2023) at (early morning) 12 am PDT and again Monday, October 30 at 8:45 am PDT.
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's programme.
My next TCM recommendation is a romance of a completely different variety, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, released in 1947.
Normally any movie with a benign "Ghost" in the title suggesting an unrealistic but sentimental subject matter would be an instant turn off. Those who decide not to partake, however, are missing out on a spiritual masterwork of subtle grace and loving intensity. Joseph L. Mankiewicz directs this memorable romantic fable with such intelligence, artistic style and sincerity, it will forever resonate for those willing to suspend an appropriate amount of disbelief. The enchanting beauty of Gene Tierney's Lucy Muir could only be enhanced by Bernard Herrmann who provides haunting themes for love's yearning and Captain Gregg's (a thoughtfully restrained Rex Harrison) resolve. Herrmann's musical tenderness which accompanies Anna Muir's revelation, sharply contrasts with the composer's stirring description of the majestic seaside setting. It's one of cinema's foremost compositional accomplishments, perfectly capturing each timeless moment of this spellbinding movie watching experience. This supreme work of art airs on TCM (updated) Friday, October 20 (2023) at 5 pm PDT.
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's programme.
April's Soundtrack recommendation is Leonard Bernstein's one and only motion picture score, that which he composed for On the Waterfront.
This soundtrack is a monumental achievement: violently aggressive when it needs to be and alternately sublime when required. Bernstein's gorgeous love theme is simply divine. This CD can be ordered from Intrada Records by clicking on the image where there are additional details on this landmark recording.
A Happy Birthday greeting to actor John Gavin who turns 84 on April 8th! His appreciable talent has graced some popular classics of the past like Psycho, Spartacus and Imitation of Life.
This month's recommended home video is Anthony Mann's first directorial Western, the brutally uncompromising Devil's Doorway. This is Hidden Gem # 19 and was "inspected" (reviewed) here. The "on demand" DVD-R is available from Warner Home Archive and can be ordered from Amazon U.S. by clicking on the image.
A.G.