Noir Alley

[MrMagoo]

Every Sunday this guy posts an essay about old Hollywood films. Not all are noir, but this one is. They're almost always excellent. I would encourage others to bookmark this page and follow it for a while. I hope you like it.

 

Strange Love: Gene Tierney and the Riddle of Laura :: SteynOnline

 

 

 

[Cigarjoe cellph]

I was about a half hour into the film before I realized I'd seen it.  I'm more of a Visual Noir junkie. These uppa crust Noir are usually talky and set bound. Last week's Whirlpool was similar.  Whirlpool got visually noir during  Jose's stay at the hospital. CSDS did at the end. 

[ElCid]

Watched Cast A Dark Shadow and realized I had seen it long ago.  Just as boring this time as it was last time.  I did record it last night and therefore could fast forward through it.  Not impressed with Dirk Bogarde at all.

The bad news is that Noir Alley will not be back until after the 31 Days of Oscar.  Bummer.

[jameselliot]

Bogarde's movies never kept my attention.  Cast A Dark Shadow is no exception. By the time he revealed himself as a crazed murderer, it was too late.  What did keep my attention was Lita Roza singing Leave Me Alone.

Lost in continuity was when Bogarde throws a drink in Robert Flemyng's face but Flemyng's suit jacket is dry a few seconds later.

I couldn't understand what the great Margaret Lockwood was saying much of the time, so on went the captions. She and Kay Walsh provided the film's energy. DOP Jack Asher photographed some of the best Hammer horrors and filmed the Bogarde/Walsh square-off in noir style.

[Thompson]

I guess there’s something to that intellectual battle, I thought Bogarde pulled  it off fine.  For me it was the ending scenes with the car and the grimace and the crash that sort of ruined it:

[Thompson]

It wasn’t an Asphalt Jungle.  Dirk didn’t even smoke cigarettes, kept his teeth white.  But the female roles, all the actors, were very good.

[Bronxgirl48]

I liked Dirk's post-murder "conversations" with Moni.

Did not find it believable that Lockwood's tough cookie would hook up with Eddie, even if she did state "the one time I let my heart rule my head....."   I know that sociopaths/psychos can fool people with their outward charm but still felt Margaret would have at least known something was definitely "off" about the guy and keep far away.

 

[midwestan]

I liked "Cast a Dark Shadow".  I'd never seen the film before, but I like Kay Walsh and this was only the second film where I remember seeing Margaret Lockwood.  The first of course, being "The Lady Vanishes", which Eddie Muller mentioned in the opening segment of the picture.  Mr. Bare's charm offensive worked in his relationship with Monica, and it was paying dividends with Freda even though she was a completely different person from the elderly Monica.

I did get a chuckle out of the climactic scene when the car goes careening off the cliff and breaks into a gajillion pieces.  I could hear the director saying, "Yeah, the occupant(s) in the vehicle are most certainly done for...but let's make sure!".  Then...KABOOM!!!  The obligatory shot of the vehicle blowing up and creating a massive fire ball!  It seems like those scenes are car crash staples regardless of which country the movie is from. 

[Vautrin]

I've always enjoyed this one. Granted it's not one of those gritty, dark, big city noirs, more of  a cozy afternoon in the

country thing, but I still like it. Teddy Bare is a somewhat sympathetic character until he has that psycho crackup at

the end  of the movie, which seems so out of place with his restrained and smirking manner up until that time. Maybe

it's one of those dam burst moments when everything he's been hiding suddenly explodes.  Margaret Lockwood is

really fine as  the gauche, plain-speaking, practical business woman who eventually  falls  for Teddy, despite her

reservations.  Kay Walsh is okay, but she comes rather too late into the proceedings to make much of a mark.

Then there is Moni's spooky rocking chair which  seems to have a life of its own and the unusual care that Bogarde

shows  for it and her even after he has killed her. He can't quite seem to let go of Moni. I'm a bit surprised that Eddie

didn't point out  the possible gay subtexts in this one, such as Dirk's perusal of the physical culture magazine just

before he meets Lockwood and then at the end  of the film the mention of a former neighbor boy who he was

supposedly  trying to kill, or was the story about something else. Just something to mull over. With a running

time of only 82 minutes this one keeps thing moving straight ahead. I give it a B+.

[mr6666]

 

[King Rat]

3 hours ago, Vautrin said:

I've always enjoyed this one. Granted it's not one of those gritty, dark, big city noirs, more of  a cozy afternoon in the

country thing, but I still like it. Teddy Bare is a somewhat sympathetic character until he has that psycho crackup at

the end  of the movie, which seems so out of place with his restrained and smirking manner up until that time. Maybe

it's one of those dam burst moments when everything he's been hiding suddenly explodes.  Margaret Lockwood is

really fine as  the gauche, plain-speaking, practical business woman who eventually  falls  for Teddy, despite her

reservations.  Kay Walsh is okay, but she comes rather too late into the proceedings to make much of a mark.

Then there is Moni's spooky rocking chair which  seems to have a life of its own and the unusual care that Bogarde

shows  for it and her even after he has killed her. He can't quite seem to let go of Moni. I'm a bit surprised that Eddie

didn't point out  the possible gay subtexts in this one, such as Dirk's perusal of the physical culture magazine just

before he meets Lockwood and then at the end  of the film the mention of a former neighbor boy who he was

supposedly  trying to kill, or was the story about something else. Just something to mull over. With a running

time of only 82 minutes this one keeps thing moving straight ahead. I give it a B+.

I like Cast a Dark Shadow, too, and yes, I noticed Dirk reading the physical culture magazine. He also talks about "headaches" and suggests he lessen his marital obligation with Margaret Lockwood, but she's having none of that! This was the second time around for me, and I enjoyed Margaret even more this time. The acting is all first-rate. Teddy and Monica actually have a strange kind of chemistry, and that sets up the movie perfectly. Eddie's intro and outro were both excellent. For instance, he noted Margaret Lockwood's resemblance to Joan Bennett, which several on this site have mentioned.

For those not familiar with Margaret Lockwood except perhaps for The Lady Vanishes, her femme fatale charms can be seen in The Wicked Lady. Bedelia, based on a novel by Vera Caspary (author of Laura), may still be available on YouTube. For Margaret as heroine, there's Hungry Hill, which has a great scene at a dance in a country house.

[omm]

Sounds like they overdubbed Eddie's voice at the very end of this week's summary.

Looks like he might have said 'see you next week' and it had to be changed to 'next time.'

[Vautrin]

2 hours ago, King Rat said:

I like Cast a Dark Shadow, too, and yes, I noticed Dirk reading the physical culture magazine. He also talks about "headaches" and suggests he lessen his marital obligation with Margaret Lockwood, but she's having none of that! This was the second time around for me, and I enjoyed Margaret even more this time. The acting is all first-rate. Teddy and Monica actually have a strange kind of chemistry, and that sets up the movie perfectly. Eddie's intro and outro were both excellent. For instance, he noted Margaret Lockwood's resemblance to Joan Bennett, which several on this site have mentioned.

For those not familiar with Margaret Lockwood except perhaps for The Lady Vanishes, her femme fatale charms can be seen in The Wicked Lady. Bedelia, based on a novel by Vera Caspary (author of Laura), may still be available on YouTube. For Margaret as heroine, there's Hungry Hill, which has a great scene at a dance in a country house.

Under other circumstances perhaps Teddy and Moni could have gotten along. He could always have snuck out of the house if he wanted to

fulfill his desires, of whatever variety they were, and  still have enjoyed all the comforts provided by her money. But it was not to be. I

found  the visuals of the murder scene very well done, it almost looked like something  out of  a Victorian illustration. I also got a kick out of the

scene where Bogarde stares at Lockwood's big diamond  ring as  if he is hypnotized  by it. 

[Fading Fast]

6 hours ago, Vautrin said:

Under other circumstances perhaps Teddy and Moni could have gotten along. He could always have snuck out of the house if he wanted to

fulfill his desires, of whatever variety they were, and  still have enjoyed all the comforts provided by her money. But it was not to be. I

found  the visuals of the murder scene very well done, it almost looked like something  out of  a Victorian illustration. I also got a kick out of the

scene where Bogarde stares at Lockwood's big diamond  ring as  if he is hypnotized  by it. 

I, too, thought that Teddy had true affection for Moni - they had a good relationship in ways - but unfortunately, trade-offs and compromise were not his strong suit. He'd have been better off making an okay life with her and waiting for her to die, but again, that just wasn't his way.

[ElCid]

11 hours ago, mr6666 said:

 

Is this going to be on TCM at Noon each day in March?  Sometimes get confused as Eddie has so many venues.

[JamesJazGuitar]

1 hour ago, ElCid said:

Is this going to be on TCM at Noon each day in March?  Sometimes get confused as Eddie has so many venues.

Thanks for this info;  It confirms what I speculated about a few weeks back;  The TCM  leased some Haas Columbia films.

[misswonderly3]

On 2/26/2022 at 12:21 PM, ElCid said:

Some will object, but I personally believe the US should prohibit all alcohol sales between midnight and 6:00 AM.  

But what about songs like "One for My Baby",  in which the opening line is "It's a quarter to three..." ?  The song so beautifully evokes the image of a guy slumped over the bar, half-empty whisky in hand,   half-smoked cigarette burning in the ashtray,   heart-broken and confessing all to the sympathetic but tired bartender  (Joe.)  How noir can you get?

Now,  this scenario just wouldn't work if the first line were "It's a quarter to eight"....

[Hibi]

19 hours ago, midwestan said:

I liked "Cast a Dark Shadow".  I'd never seen the film before, but I like Kay Walsh and this was only the second film where I remember seeing Margaret Lockwood.  The first of course, being "The Lady Vanishes", which Eddie Muller mentioned in the opening segment of the picture.  Mr. Bare's charm offensive worked in his relationship with Monica, and it was paying dividends with Freda even though she was a completely different person from the elderly Monica.

I did get a chuckle out of the climactic scene when the car goes careening off the cliff and breaks into a gajillion pieces.  I could hear the director saying, "Yeah, the occupant(s) in the vehicle are most certainly done for...but let's make sure!".  Then...KABOOM!!!  The obligatory shot of the vehicle blowing up and creating a massive fire ball!  It seems like those scenes are car crash staples regardless of which country the movie is from. 

I had seen part of the ending before but didnt remember what happened this time around. Really enjoyed it. I thought Kay Walsh seemed odd to respond so quickly to Bare's line, but then it's revealed why at the end.

Thought Lockwood was a hoot and was constantly laughing at her remarks. Bogarde was perfectly cast.

I'd forgotten about Oscar month so Eddie's farewell made me mad. It's going to be a LONG month!

[Hibi]

14 hours ago, King Rat said:

I like Cast a Dark Shadow, too, and yes, I noticed Dirk reading the physical culture magazine. He also talks about "headaches" and suggests he lessen his marital obligation with Margaret Lockwood, but she's having none of that! This was the second time around for me, and I enjoyed Margaret even more this time. The acting is all first-rate. Teddy and Monica actually have a strange kind of chemistry, and that sets up the movie perfectly. Eddie's intro and outro were both excellent. For instance, he noted Margaret Lockwood's resemblance to Joan Bennett, which several on this site have mentioned.

For those not familiar with Margaret Lockwood except perhaps for The Lady Vanishes, her femme fatale charms can be seen in The Wicked Lady. Bedelia, based on a novel by Vera Caspary (author of Laura), may still be available on YouTube. For Margaret as heroine, there's Hungry Hill, which has a great scene at a dance in a country house.

Funny, I hadn't noticed that about the magazine. I've seen Lockwood in The Wicked Lady. Really enjoyed that one. I saw Bedelia many years ago on the late show, but dont remember anything about it.

[Hibi]

5 hours ago, mkahn22 said:

I, too, thought that Teddy had true affection for Moni - they had a good relationship in ways - but unfortunately, trade-offs and compromise were not his strong suit. He'd have been better off making an okay life with her and waiting for her to die, but again, that just wasn't his way.

Had he not jumped to conclusions about the will, he could have!

[txfilmfan]

14 hours ago, King Rat said:

I like Cast a Dark Shadow, too, and yes, I noticed Dirk reading the physical culture magazine. He also talks about "headaches" and suggests he lessen his marital obligation with Margaret Lockwood, but she's having none of that! This was the second time around for me, and I enjoyed Margaret even more this time. The acting is all first-rate. Teddy and Monica actually have a strange kind of chemistry, and that sets up the movie perfectly. Eddie's intro and outro were both excellent. For instance, he noted Margaret Lockwood's resemblance to Joan Bennett, which several on this site have mentioned.

For those not familiar with Margaret Lockwood except perhaps for The Lady Vanishes, her femme fatale charms can be seen in The Wicked Lady. Bedelia, based on a novel by Vera Caspary (author of Laura), may still be available on YouTube. For Margaret as heroine, there's Hungry Hill, which has a great scene at a dance in a country house.

First thing I wondered was whether that magazine came from Mr. Bogarde's personal collection.

[ElCid]

6 hours ago, misswonderly3 said:

But what about songs like "One for My Baby",  in which the opening line is "It's a quarter to three..." ?  The song so beautifully evokes the image of a guy slumped over the bar, half-empty whisky in hand,   half-smoked cigarette burning in the ashtray,   heart-broken and confessing all to the sympathetic but tired bartender  (Joe.)  How noir can you get?

Now,  this scenario just wouldn't work if the first line were "It's a quarter to eight"....

Then he goes out, gets in a car and kills someone.

[Dargo]

59 minutes ago, ElCid said:

Now,  this scenario just wouldn't work if the first line were "It's a quarter to eight"....

 

59 minutes ago, ElCid said:

Then he goes out, gets in a car and kills someone.

Nope, won't work here, Cid.

Nope, ya see, first of all, the word "someone" doesn't rhyme with the word "eight". You know, and like "quarter to three" and "you and me" does in the original version.

Nope, and besides "Then he goes out, gets in a car and kills someone" has two more beats to it than does "There's no one in the place except you and me".

(...oh wait...maybe this wasn't where you were goin' with this, huh)  

 

[misswonderly3]

47 minutes ago, ElCid said:

Then he goes out, gets in a car and kills someone.

No.  Not funny.  Not even noirish.  Don't try and spoil a really great song like that.  

What does the guy do next?  He lurches out of the late night bar and stumbles to his brownstone NYC apartment, where he pours himself another straight whisky and puts Billie Holiday on the record player.

[Thompson]

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring according to the meteorologists calendar.  March 20 is the first day of Spring on the other calendar, the one we look at.  So which one is it?  That’s the point, ElCid, it has nothing to do with the time of day.  It’s all those gypsy hacks and insomniacs and now the paper’s been read.  Eggs and sausage and a side of toast.