RAMBLES Part II

[FrankGrimes]

*And that's the only reason I can stomach (mostly) what he deals out, because he's not doing these things with an exploitative intent. In a way, the singing scene is as daring as anything he ever did because it's Fuller and again he's kind of thumbing his nose at those who pretend to admire boldness when in fact are merely titillated by the kind of exploitation he exposes* *and at the same time, he's also exposing those who pretend to "bless the little children and the animals" when in fact they're destroying their innocence.*

 

That's a superb point. One I never thought of. You're right, I do believe he's looking to exploit the exploiters.

 

*I admit it took me a while to find these things in Fuller. He's so in-your-face you think it must be some kind of joke. Well, I guess it is, maybe he was laughing a bit at some folks.*

 

 

I think Fuller liked slapping people in the face with the hard truths about our ugliness as a society. He is not a subtle filmmaker.

 

*Did you ever wonder if he made his films not only about the fringe characters in society, but for them, and that's why they're so boldly drawn? He seldom went in for subtlety or slyness, which usually is about the director not the subject. He seemed to care passionately about subject matter, like a journalist does.*

 

From what little I know of Fuller, he felt more humanity from those on the wrong side of the street than those on the right. His on-the-ground coverage of the harsh urban worlds and then the harsh worlds of war helped to shape him as a writer/director. He made socially-conscious films, for the most part. He looked to make statements through entertainment.

[MissGoddess]

> I think Fuller liked slapping people in the face with the hard truths about our ugliness as a society. He is not a subtle filmmaker.

>

 

Yes, he was a "sock it to them" kind of guy.

 

> From what little I know of Fuller, he felt more humanity from those on the wrong side of the street than those on the right. His on-the-ground coverage of the harsh urban worlds and then the harsh worlds of war helped to shape him as a writer/director. He made socially-conscious films, for the most part. He looked to make statements through entertainment.

>

 

Which seems to indicate it was all about situations and the kind of people who were as you say, on the 'wrong' side of the street that mattered to him, not calling attention to how clever he was.

[FrankGrimes]

*Which seems to indicate it was all about situations and the kind of people who were as you say, on the 'wrong' side of the street that mattered to him, not calling attention to how clever he was.*

 

Oh, definitely. I believe he had a fondness for the Street.

[movieman1957]

Good evening Sir Francis:

 

*I find it absolutely amazing that a prostitute, who we see beat a "John" for owing her money at the outset of the film, is now singing a song of hope to disadvantaged children. That's pretty darn remarkable to me. Sam Fuller's films often expose the ugliness of Society through the "ugliness" of society.*

 

It is almost too much for me. That is part of what I thought odd about the film. The turnaround is quick and little explanation for it. But, good for her for doing it. People try and turn themselves around all the time. It was good to see one with some success though it was a hard way coming.

[CineMaven]

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[SansFin]

> {quote:title=CineMaven wrote:}{quote}.

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I did not believe I would ever see CineMaven at a loss for words.

[CineMaven]

Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

Ya got me, S.F.

[CineMaven]

"OBSESSION"

 

PHIL BROWN & ROBERT NEWTON

 

"A sensible and civilized husband doesn't object to other men admiring his wife. He can even understand her returning the admiration. But when this...mutual attraction becomes a habit, and is flaunted repeatedly under his very nose under the impudent assumption that he's being deceived, why then, the intelligence of the sensible and civilized husband is insulted. And he's reduced to the most insensible and uncivilized behavior. So you see, through you, I'm going to make my wife suffer for a long list of calculated insults. Yes, I'm going to kill you. And my wife's going to suspect I did. She may even be certain of it. But she'll never be able to prove it."

 

This is the speech Robert Newton makes to his wife's lover in ?OBSESSION.? I haven't finished watching it, but boy am I intrigued. ...And the British are so veddy clever when they do these things.

[JackFavell]

I enjoyed *Obsession* mostly, but wasn't bowled over by it. It did keep me on the edge of my seat, but it was a bit too tidy and dry for my liking.

 

I am a real fan of Robert Newton and he was very good in this movie, though I felt the plot was a bit lacking toward the end. What I really wanted was to see Newton go off and lose it, but the British are too reserved for that, or they were back then. This was a cat and mouse game right down the line, and they weren't going to mess with that formula. But Newton's forte, at least to my way of thinking, is his emotion, and so I really wanted to see him lose control of himself once in the picture... I did love his reaction to the empty bathtub, but I would have liked to see him more frayed at the end. I suppose they didn't want us feeling too sympathetic for him. It would have defeated that whole "I can beat the law as long as I don't lose my head" part of the movie. It's always a comfort to see a cold and calculating mind get clobbered in the end.

 

Loved the dog, _loved_ Naunton Wayne and especially loved it when Newton and Wayne squared off against one another - in those scenes the movie really hit its stride. Their styles are so different that they offset one another perfectly.

 

I was so relieved that she left the dog with what's his name. Bill was it?

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Dec 13, 2011 11:21 AM

 

Edited by: JackFavell on Dec 13, 2011 11:26 AM

[CineMaven]

A "SPOILED" OBSESSION:

 

I enjoyed the film, and agree with you Jack when you say the "plot was a bit lacking at the end." It did kind of peter out. How was Bill able to drain the acid bath? The happenstance of a --cop--...a bobby passing by and seeing the little kitty? Hmmm, I dunno. I wonder if the writers painted themselves into a corner with how they were going to get Bill out of this predicament.

 

I imagined if Alfred Hitchcock directed this, it would play differently. I can just see Hitchcock now. He'd let Newton accidentally trip over the little dog and fall into the acid bath himself.

 

...Then when the cops find the hiding place, Newton's acid-washed screams having alerted the police, they'd see Bill lying on the floor, chained and half-dead..a dead husband half-eaten away by acid, and the little doggie Monty(...wasn't there a British General named Monty...Montgomery?) barking and scampering back 'n forth. (There!!! Take that Maxie!! All answers present and accounted for. Now Ophuls can learn from me).

 

But I play the hand movies deal me, and still watched the proceedings with interest. I don't know Newton's prior or subsequent work, but I thought he was very good here...thought of everything. (He had that snobby insouciant sophistication like Rex Harrison). I've never seen this film, but I didn't expect him to crack or break. (The British, they are not like us...ha!) I liked his level-headed skill. I thought the actor who played Bill was mahvelous. I didn't have high hopes for him at first, being in a British production, facing off against the likes of the very-accomplished Robert Newton. But he was good. He had a charm about him. He seemed real American. I also liked the scenes between the husband and the lover. I enjoyed the detective very much. Very droll and unexcitable; just methodical. At one point I thought he might've been Newton's wife's ex-lover. Aaaah the imaginings and musings of a cine-maven: Imagine an ex-lover trying to find and save the life of the current lover, while trying to put the husband in jail. The wife, played by Sally Gray, was quite a little pip. Attractive, alto-voiced...and lethal as they come. Apparently a serial adulterer (why is the word adult in the word adulterer? Just wondering...) Why do I say lethal as they come? B'cuz I'm thinking any man that comes near her, and wants to possess her, would have a world of trouble with her.

 

An English Rose? No, boys....there's a Venus Flytrap!

 

The movie made me think of the present day movie "SAW." (I'd say these "Saw" films would not be your spot o' tea, but the writers put these folks in predicaments that baffle me about how they'll escape. Many typically have gruesome ends). Bill is chained, has a beard...is all messed up, while trying to match wits with his murderer.

 

When Sally Gray, whose character's name is Storm (which I thought was a FANTASTIC name for her) visits Bill in the hospital in the end with cute little Monty, you just know she's traveling points South with some unsuspecting --sap--, man as traveling companion, who'll be head over heels about her. And Bill knows it too. I liked that they both know the affair is over.

 

I was just so happy to see Monty escape his leash, run back into Bill's hospital room and jump into his arms. So so sweet. I love doggies. They know who their friends are. Storm leaves them to each other.

 

< ( Sigh! ) > Have I ever mentioned I'm a sucker for happy endings.

[JackFavell]

The acid bath was drained by Monty. In all those hours by himself, Bill taught Monty to lift the plug out of his regular bath's drain by the chain, without falling into the bath himself. When the time came, and he knew he was going to be done in, he let Monty do his plug-pulling work on the real acid bath.

 

Of course, this movie could not have been made today. We don't have those little rubber plugs on chains anymore.

 

I agree, the guy who played Bill (Phil Brown) was quite good. I wasn't expecting him to be either. I too love the way the two lovers let it all drop at the end, each knowing the whole thing was over. They knew too much about each other to want to spend any more time together.

 

I liked the name Storm too! You hit all the highlights of the story.

 

Naunton Wayne was the police detective - he's best known for his comic relief roles with Basil Radford in *Dead of Night* (the golf story), and *The Lady Vanishes* , plus a string of other films where the two played basically the same roles, - Chalders and Caldicott - who became very dear to the British. It's always fun to see them pop up in a movie. I must admit, I LOVED seeing him on his own, actually playing a different kind of role. He was marvelous.

 

This is how I like to see Robert Newton - hugely emotional, a drunkard or a big brute of a fellow. He's a fantastic bully.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4QZ9SnkH3k

[CineMaven]

Oooh...thanx. I must've misssssed that part with Monty and the plug. (Did I fall asleep on something?) Maybe this movie can't be re-made b'cuz today's writers are not as clever. But if they used my ending...

 

"They knew too much about each other to want to spend any more time together."

 

So is that the way love ends? Knowing too much?

 

N. Wayne was very good. Seems like the bench is deep in British films for character actors. And that Sally Gray...hot stuff.

 

I saw the YouTube clips. Whoa! Newton was scary. (And had a great head of hair to boot!)

[JackFavell]

Yeah. I like him that way. Good and scary.

 

He is superbly emotional though, even when he is ready to kill someone... or trying to hold it all in afterwards. You can see him bursting with it. He's just an amazing actor. I really love him.

[CineMaven]

I hear ya. Does it do any movies in modern clothes. Or do I have to go back to Dickens' and Stephenson's day. (Ack!)

 

Not to be lost on us, Dymytryk did "Obsession."

[MissGoddess]

*OBSESSION Spoilers*

 

i have to say i thoroughly enjoyed *Obsession* AND mr newton...in fact this role shoots to my favorites by him. Though I loved him in *kiss the blood off my hands*, I was very impressed with the quiet assurance of this performance. It made me want to see him fall all the more. He was excellent as someone so consumed with his own superiority (your comparison to Rex Harrison was super, T) that this "project" and his "perfect murder" intention makes it a game of wits. The irony that the woman who sparks all this isn't worth all the drama is again, so very Britishly satirical.

 

The ending is so very Hitchcock. Excellent film and I adored Monty! T-Mave, you should watch the part where Bill trains him to pull the plug, it's so cute. At first it's hard to tell what he's teaching him and then they show him testing it in his own bathtub and the little doggy falls into the tub (filled with water) and you GASP because that's what he MUST NOT do when he goes to the other one. I never would have come up with such a thing.

 

I bet there are still old tubs like that in England, in old crumbly spaces like that one. But the kick is if you can get cell phone/internet service down there or not.

[CineMaven]

Then I've got to go back and watch this. Well...maybe not the whole movie from beginning to end...but can you tell me what part of the movie this is near? He's a dear sweet little dog.

 

Hmmm...I wonder if cats can do the same thing? (Oooh, is my animal bias showing?)

 

Sally Gray looked worth the trouble, but isn't it always about the two men? (i.e. The General & the Baron).

[JackFavell]

I almost screamed when Monty fell into the tub! I had to cover my mouth. I like how upset Bill was when it happened.

 

Newton was really great as the cool doctor who had too much access to things like acid and poison..... It's really amazing to me how he can play Bill Sykes one minute, just a mass of animal anger and passions, then play this cold fellow, hardened by his wife's penchant for young men.

[MissGoddess]

YES! Newton is an incredible actor...I never would have believed he could play such a cold, sedate man. I'm very impressed.

 

T---I believe the doggie training act is somewhere in the middle...I wish I'd recorded it to be sure. And you're right about Sally Gray, I meant no slight to her...she's actually one of my favorite Brit actresses...she's so film noir! And for a British actress that's something, I don't typically "feel" them in that category. She's great, I just meant she really cared more about herself than anyone, though she did anonymously send that letter, thank goodness, or our Bill might have gone down the drain!

[JackFavell]

I think it was right after the scene where he was able to snag Monty from Newton.... who was going to dunk him in the bath to make sure it worked. ooh what a tense few minutes! After that they showed a scene of Bill getting his dinner, and sharing it with Monty. Afterwards, we see Bill get the idea of training the dog to pull out the stopper.

[MissGoddess]

Not to interrupt...but I just had to post this:

 

h1. John Ford Ireland film symposium to debut in 2012. Clint Eastwood first recipient of John Ford Award.

 

Michael Collins, Ireland's ambassador to the U.S. and Aine Moriarty of IFTA presented the award to Eastwood in Burbank on December 6. At the reception were members of Ford's family.

 

From http://www.johnfordireland.org/

 

Irish Film And Television Academy (IFTA), in association with the John Ford Estate and the Irish Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, established ?JOHN FORD IRELAND?, celebrating the work and legacy of John Ford, in December 2011. The Irish Film & Television Academy will through JOHN FORD IRELAND, will lay the foundations for honouring, examining and learning from the work and legacy of legendary filmmaker John Ford, who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation.

 

The symposium is slated to debut in June 2012 and I'm sure it will attract many scholars, fans, critics and members of the film community. Yours truly prays she can attend, too!

[CineMaven]

Thanxx guys for the clue as to where to look for plug-pullin' Monty. And I see...Sally Gray is the perfect noir dame. Caring only for herself; all that Noir could ask.

Tonite, *”Fear and Desire.”* S’posed to be a good ‘un.

And then...there is Ava.

[movieman1957]

*Yours truly prays she can attend, too!*

 

Well, if not we'll have our own symposium and I'll type with an Irish accent.

[rohanaka]

Talk about a dream vacation!!

 

HEY.. we should make THAT a part of our "TCM long lost sister reunion party" (Movieman.. you can be our long lost brother.. ) ha..

 

We can make this stop right before we take that John Ford tour trip out to Monument Valley that we have always talked about.. I can see it now.. the TCM Ford Fan World tour.. ha.

 

(if ONLY.. sigh... )

 

Oh well, I will at least hope that YOU get to go little darlin'... ' and then come on back here and tell me all about it. :-)

[JackFavell]

I'd love to take the Ford World Tour with my sisters (and bro)! If only I could....sigh

[MissGoddess]

Wouldn't that be super if we all could go...boy, that takes in a lot of territory.