Delmer Daves, an excellent, diverse director, does an extraordinary job at creating a subtly crafted sense of dread in The Red House, shooting many of the same locations by day and by night (interiors and exteriors), setting up the contrast in atmosphere when darkness falls.
The Red House Written and directed by Delmer Daves U.S.A., 1947 *It should be noted that in order to properly analyze the heart of the picture’s themes, certain important plot points are divulged in the review below. Sequestered away from most of the town they live in, the Morgan’s operate a modest but efficient little …
A Hole in the Head … [is] thoroughly enjoyable, even if it feels something like an effortless throwaway from its key contributors.
Key Largo is both pulpy and thought provoking. The obvious allusions to sexual and physical abuse, the overt racism demonstrated towards Native Americans (one of the odder inclusions to the story), the misogyny, all of these are balanced out by an intelligently woven battle between two wildly different personalities. True enough, Maltese Falcon and Asphalt Jungle have a greater sense of style about them and in that sense Key Largo might be considered a ‘lesser’ film, but lesser John Huston is plenty better than most other films in any event.
The Woman in the Window can be added to the catalogue of splendid American films Fritz Lang directed during his state side career. It incrementally raises the stakes in logical fashion, tightening tension’s noose on the protagonists and the viewer until…well, it would be unwise to reveal the outcome. While not as emotionally devastating as his next film Scarlet Street, The Woman in the Window is still a must see for Lang fans.
Director Lang always knew how to equip himself with the right cast, Scarlet Street offering a slew of effective and in one case affectionate performances, starting with none other than Edward G. Robinson. Predominantly known for his boisterous roles, Robinson looks and behaves like a shadow of his usual self. Chris may have a big heart, but he is also meek and pathetic.
After all the dust had settled and leaked blood had dried following the nightmare that was World War II, the Allied states co-organized a special commission for the purpose of investigating the details thought out by the sick minds of the Nazi regime who perpetrated the ghastly horrors in Europe.
“Now you listen to me, Hinchecliffe. It’ll be for the last time. I’m through with your dirty rag, and I’m through with you. Oh, I’m not ducking any of the blame for this thing. You thought of the murder and I committed it. But I did it for smaller profit. For wages. You did it …
Double Indemnity Directed by Billy Wilder Written by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler U.S.A., 1944 There is a perverse sort of delight a film viewer can extract from witnessing the fall of someone too cool for school. How many times have vintage film noirs featured a protagonist which always had the right words to say …
Illegal Directed by Lewis Allen Screenplay by W. R. Burnett and James R. Webb 1955, U.S.A. Few those familiar with the Hollywood of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, few names strike a chord like Edward G. Robinson. Shorter than most of his co-stars perhaps, what the actor lacked in physical stature he made up for …