LINDA DARNELL for Star of the Month October 2013

[Arturo]

Thanks again for the feedback. The sets I have received each have an episode with Linda Darnell; these I had seen a number of times on youtube. The quality was what it was on YT, with the live "Trial By Fire" in the kinescope process, and therefore not as good as the other, which was filmed. These sets are full of episodes with many other stars, and look forward to seeing them.

 

The Woody Allen SALD I believe is a totally different story, but I only saw it once, so I can't be sure.

[Arturo]

This Monday morning, 12/17, at 9:30 am est, 6:30 am pst, TCM will show the Linda Darnell episode of Screen Directors Playhouse, "White Corridors", which originally aired in July 1956. She plays a tourist in London who stumbles onto possibly murderous goings on at a hospital.

 

Hopefully, I will be able to record this show this time, having missed doing so a couple of years back, when TCM broadcast it a couple of times. This episode is one of several being shown that day, and later in the week. About the only thing that could have made this better, was if it had been preceded by one of Linda's movies, as several of the episodes

Are; immediately preceding WC, Rita Gam stars in one, following a movie featuring her. Likewise, right after, a movie with Joan Coalfield, and later, Marge and Gower Champ, are each followed by them in an episode of SDP.

[Arturo]

Fyi....tomorrow Thursday 12/19 at 6 am eastern, FMC will show THE LOVES OF EDGAR ALLEN POE (1942). This biopic confirmed Linda's falling status among the studio hierarchy. The film was done at the studio's B lot. While the production looks reasonable enough, the script and direction leave much to be desired. A reviewer at the time accurately called it a "static and lifeless tableaux".

 

Despite my sadness over all the recent losses of stars, I have been excited by some recent developments on the Linda Darnell front. Namely, some of her tv performances have become availablw to me,most by purchase, but also by being aired, or potentially so. I already mentioned the episode of the Screen Directors Playhouse in which she starred, which TCM showed on Monday, and I finally recorded. Also, theGame Network is again showing What's My Line, and I've Got A Secret. Lindas turn as the Mystery Celebrity on WML shows her to be chic, charming beautiful and sexy, at a time when her career was nosediving, supposedly due to her declining looks and expanding girth; I have never seen her episode on IGAS, when she was a panelist, from November 1955.Also, it seems that MeTV is still showing the hour long episodes of Wagon Train, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 4 am pacific, so hopefully i can finally tape the first season closong show.

 

I will comment later on my most recent online purchases of 1950s tv dramas, with Linda starring in an episode.

 

Edited by: Arturo on Dec 18, 2013 11:50 PM

[sapphiere]

I am happy for you that Linda has been on TV more recently. Linda`s episode on The Director`s Showcase was the only one that I watched. The story was suspenseful and Linda was fine in the role. She also looked very attractive. Ted Post the director this year. Hope that you enjoy your new purchases.

[Arturo]

Thanks again Saphhiere. "White Corridors", Linda Darnell's Screen Directors Playhouse episode, was indeed suspenseful, with a fine cast. Ted Post did pass on this year, as I saw on the TCM Remembers tribute. Linda did look great here; maybe its my familiarity with her later looks, but I disagree completely with an online poster's comments about her looks here, that she looked terrible; at least that person acknowledged she was good in it. Linda actually looked much like she did in her last big movie hit, 1953's SECOND CHANCE. She had similar makeup and hairstyles (although in black and white), and was not noticeably heavier. She also played a woman on the run, if only through a hospital ward and not the hilly streets of Taxco, Guerrero.

 

These 1950s anthology series gave many film personalities good roles, including Linda, as movie roles became more and more scarce. WC, like many of these shows, could have been expanded and made into a feature film. In fact, the opposite was probably true: as the movie studios retrenched and produced significantly fewer films, many former properties, whether scripts, treatments, etc. were sold off and adapted for the small screen. One could almost say that this is where the traditional B movie went to die (as opposed to the Bs of the day, usually sci-fi, teenage films, or sensational crime dramas). And like the B movies, the production values were usually miniscule, as were sets and budgets, but more often than not, a rewarding experience.

 

I have enjoyed both of my most recent purchases. One was part of the legendary series Playhouse 90, and I got it specifically for the Darnell episode, HOMEWARD BORNE, from 1957. As one of a handful from this series that was not on kinescope, but was filmed, HB was released theatrically in some markets. The other show was Season 2 of "77 Sunset Strip", again for the episode with Linda as guest star "Sing Something Simple". I will comment shortly on both of these. In the meantime, many familiar names and faces are showing up on the other episodes of Playhouse 90, and am enjoying them as I'm able to.

[sapphiere]

I remember watching Playhouse 90 when I was nine and ten years old. Three shows that I remember are THE MIRACLE WORKER with Patty McCormack, FOUR WOMEN IN BLACK with Janice Rule, and THE HELEN MORGAN STORY with Polly Bergen. The program was a marvelous showcase for actors and directors. I am glad that Linda was able to appear on this program, and that it was preserved for you to enjoy.

[Arturo]

HOMEWARD BORNE, the 1957 Playhouse 90 episode, which had a limited theatrical release the following year, was the type of script Linda Darnell was gravitating towards, whether in TV, movies or the stage. It allowed her to eschew glamor for marital drama or drama with children, in this case both.

 

Shortly after WW2, she has taken in, and wants to adopt, a prison camp refugee around the age of her own son, about 8 or 9 years of age. The child has many problems adjusting, including the return of Darnell's husband from war torn Europe. The boy reminds him of the misery he left behind, and he feels he is treading on egg shells not to upset the kid with reminders of the war. Linda's husband, feeling she is siding with the boy over him, gives her an ultimatum, and she has a difficult time resolving this family crisis.

 

The cast is uniformly excellent (if the boy a bit hysterical and shrill) as the script deals with the adjustments of two victims of the war. The original story, written by 1930s star Ruth Chatterton, is engrossing, Overall, it offered Linda a really good vehicle, even if she seems a little bit platitudinous. She seemed immediately able to explain everything just perfectly; Mother knows best. Rewarding nonetheless.

[Arturo]

Fyi, for those who have the Fox Movie Channel, FMC will show an early film featuring Linda Darnell, CHAD HANNA (1940), her first movie in Technicolor. It will be shown tomorrow, Thursday, 12/26 at 9:30 am est, 6:30 am pst; and Friday, 12/27 at 8 am est, 5 am pst. Each morning it is the leadoff film of three with circus themes; the others are MAN ON A TIGHTROPE (1953), and THE BIG SHOW (1961).

 

 

CHAD HANNA is leisurely, colorful evocation of a small circus in upstate New York during the 1840s. It stars.Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour and Darnell. Henry and Linda are small town runaways that join the circus. Fonda is smitten with sexy horseback rider Lamour, who leaves for a larger outfit. Linda is smitten with Fonda,.and she becomes Lamour's replacement on horseback. Although a bit slow paced for today's viewers, it is quite enjoyable, and Fox released it as it's Christmas offeriny that year. The cast is excellent, and Linda is quite good as the young innocent. It also featured a long list of great.character actors, including Jane Darwell, Guy Kibbee, and John Carradine.

[Arturo]

The last of my recent purchases of DVD sets of 1950s series, which had Linda Darnell featured in an episode, was Season 2 of "77 Sunset Strip". It was originally broadcast in November 1959, and was Linda's last tv show as an actress (as opposed to herself on a talk show) for a few years, as her then husband had her concentrate on a stage act as a nightclub performer. As such, it provides a last glimpse of her in her rather fertile TV period of the late 50s (her feature film career wound down during the same period). It was also her first show as a guest of an ongoing series, as opposed to the drama anthologies she had done until then.

 

Linda guest stars as an Italian opera singer, who has refused to continue paying a blackmailer and has therefore had threats on her life. The regulars in the series go undercover to try to determine the culprit. Although Linda has noticeably increased in weight here, especially in her face (the bane of her career at this time), it WAS appropriate for the role, and she looks quite glamorous (most of her roles in the last couple of years had her as a housewife or in the old west), playing to the hilt the tempestuous diva. She especially looks chic in modern dress and makeup, compared to the heavy stage makeup and unflattering costumes.

 

Linda gets to "sing" opera, for the second time in her career. The first was the 1949 film EVERYBODY DOES IT, where she tempts Paul Douglas, married to would be singer Celeste Holm, to be the baritone and, hopefully, man in her life. That is a very funny film, with a chaotic climax worthy of a Marx Brothers film. It is sometimes shown of FMC, and has been on at least once on TCM. Unfortunately, the recent Fox Archives release is reported to be a poorly lit transfer.

[Arturo]

SWEET AND LOWDOWN (1944) will be on this coming morning, 1/08 on FMC at 4:40 am Eastern (sorry about the late notice). Those who enjoyed the recent showing on TCM of SUN VALLEY SERENADE might enjoy another film featuring a famous big band.

 

Next Monday, 1/13, FMC will air THE LOVES OF EDGAR ALLEN POE (1942). Scroll doqn a few posts for more information on these two films with Linda Darnell as leading lady.

[TopBilled]

Hi sapphiere,

 

I do not think that Linda Darnell will be chosen as Star of the Month. My guess is that with LAURA becoming an Essential title on TCM now, that it clears the way for Gene Tierney to become a Fox Star of the Month first. Then, after that, hopefully, Tyrone Power will be chosen.

[JamesJazGuitar]

I agree with you; Darnell is forth or fifth on the list of Fox Stars that TCM would feature as SOTM.

[Arturo]

Courtesy of FredCDobb (our resident youtube expert), who posted the following on another thread.

 

Here is a good documentary about Linda.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm9apa0_AL8

 

This is the old A&E Biography episode on Linda Darnell. I'm not sure if the link has ever been posted here.

[Arturo]

FMC will again show CHAD HANNA on Thursday, 1/30 @ 9:30 am eastern. It stars Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour and Linds Darnell. See a few posts below for a description.

[Arturo]

I stumbled onto what seems to be all two and a third hours of FOREVER AMBER on youtube, arguably the high point of Linda Darnell's career; it was definitely her most publicized and anticipated movie. Well, not even FMC has shown it in awhile, so here is the link for anyone interested (at least I think it's the link....I couldn't cut and paste it, so I wrote and types it).

 

m.youtube.com/watch?v=g4YYYVCJWtA

[NoraCharles1934]

Here ya go . . .

 

 

 

I adore David Raskin's score of this movie. Gives me goosebumps. This needs to make it to Blu-ray somehow, though I'm not optimistic.

 

I missed your helpful heads-up, but will try to keep an eye out for Chad Hanna if turns up on FMC again. I really wish they'd get their online schedule back up.

[Arturo]

Nora,

 

Thank you for the correction on the link. I totally agree about Raksin's stupendous score for FOREVER AMBER, and the need for a (restored) release of this movie. Btw, CHAD HANNA seems to be scheduled next on FMC on Wednesday, February 12 @ 9:50 am eastern.

 

One week earlier, on Wednesday,February 5, @ 6 am eastern, FMC will show another film with Linda Darnell, HANGOVER SQUARE (1945). This classic period thriller also has a magnificent score, this time courtesy of Bernard Hermann.

[Arturo]

Just a reminder:

 

On Wednesday, 2/5 @ 6 am eastern, FMC will air HANGOVER SQUARE (1945), a very good thriller set in London at the turn of the (last) century. Directed by John Brahm, fresh off his 1944 hit THE LODGER, it featured two members of that cast: Laird Cregar and George Sanders, in hopes of another similar hit. To that end Patrick Hamilton's novel was adapted.as a period film, instead of the contemporary setting of the original source. Cregar is another deranged madman (he plays Jack the Ripper in TL), but a talented composer writing a sonata. He gets distracted from this by temptress Linda Darnell, a singer who flirts with him so that he will write popular songs for her. He is soon captivated, but she only sees him as a stepping stone. When he finds out he loses it.

 

Linda plays the first of her femme fatales at her home studio, , after her breakthrough and career changing part in SUMMER STORM on loan the year before. She is quite effective. Tragically, this will be Cregar's last film; wanting to play romantic leads, he had gone on a crash diet that damaged his heart. He died before the movie was released.

 

Anyway,.Bernard Hermann wrote an amazing score for the film, and with some superb camera work, this atmospheric tale benefits from a strong cast, which also include Glenn Langan,.Faye ,Marlowe, and Alan Napier. Highly recommended.

 

Edited by: Arturo on Feb 3, 2014 11:20 PM

[Arturo]

As part of their 31 Days of Oscar celebration, TCM will air A LETTER TO THREE WIVES, along.with other 1949 Best Picture nominees. It will be on Sunday, 2/9 @ 2:30 am eastern time, Saturday, 2/8 @ 11:30 pm pacific time.

 

This is one of Linda Darnell's best known movies and most acclaimed roles. She is outstanding, along with newcomer Paul Douglas, sparring as the gold digger snd the self made tycoon, in an exceptional cast that includes Jeanne Crain, Ann Sothern, Kirk Douglas, Thelma Ritter, Florence Bates, Connie Gilchrist and Barbara Lawrence. Arguably Joseph L. Mankiewicz' best film.

[sapphiere]

Arturo, It is unfortunate that TCM is showing A LETTER TO THREE WIVES at such a late hour. I have always enjoyed the Linda Darnell Paul Douglas segment the best.

[Arturo]

Sapphiere, I agree an earlier time would have been better for the showing of A LETTER TO THREE WIVES. But even though I have the dvd, with no work today, and being on the West Coast, where it started at 11:30 pm, I stayed up to watch it, although I missed some of RO's opening comments.

[Arturo]

Just a reminder,.tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/12, @ 9:50.am.esstern, Fox Movie Channel.will.air CHAD HANNA (1940), a colorful circus story starring Linda.Darnell, Henry Fonda and Dorothy Lamour. Set in 1840s rural upstate New York along the Erie Canal, this leisurely paced.movie was adapted.from.a.Walter.Edmonds novel,."Red.Wheels Rolling". For more info, scroll down several posts.

[misswonderly3]

Sounds like it would have been fun, Arturo. I'm not sure I get the Fox Movie Channel where I live.

 

Hey, I guess I'd have to scroll back and read this entire thread to find out...I assume you have at some point mentioned the bio-doc about our girl, "Linda Darnell: Hollywood's Fallen Angel".

I'd love to see that. And bonus, apparently it's got a Richard Widmark interview in it (probably talking about *No Way Out*.)

 

Here's a link to the TCM database info about it. Although there isn't much. And I'm pretty sure you've already brought it up here.

 

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/465949/Linda-Darnell-Hollywood-s-Fallen-Angel/

 

Damn ! (oops, salty language) I wish TCM would air that.

[Arturo]

Thank you misswonderly. I have probably mentioned that documentary a couple of times, most recently when I saw it being on youtube (or maybe someone here pointed that out to me). Im no good at posting links, but you should be able to find it if you google Linda Darnell Youtube. Itll be the one thats some 40 odd minutes. This documentary is also featured as a bonus on the dvd release of A LETTER TO THREE WIVES.

[NoraCharles1934]

Here's the bio you're referring to:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm9apa0_AL8

 

I did manage to record Chad Hanna this time, by the way. Thanks for the heads-up, Arturo.