What classics did you see last week? (3 Dec to 9 Dec 2017)

I finally got to see (thanks, TCM!) Lady on a Train, a whodunit (I certainly wouldn’t call it a “noir,” as I’ve seen it described) that I’ve wanted to see ever since Everson praised it in The Detective in Film (and I think it was recommended to me here, in the whodunits thread?) Lots of fun, and Deanna Durbin is as cute as a button. I guessed the murderer from the moment his name appeared in the credits, but that’s no real flaw: it’s fast-paced and entertaining, with some great set pieces (the Circus Club, recalling the West Indies Club in Another Thin Man). Oh, and it’s set at Christmastime! My one real criticisms were its underuse of the great Edward Everett Horton, funny (as always) and welcome though he is, and its doubtlessly-required-by-producers lulls for Miss Durbin to sing (her rendition of “Silent Night” is beautiful, but the other songs only serve to stop the film in its tracks). Ah, and the story was written by Saint creator Leslie Charteris (and borrowed wholesale [stolen?] by Agatha Christie for 4.50 from Paddington).



So interesting, Salzmank. I saw Lady on a Train when I was very young, and for some reason it made a strong impression on me. I've always wanted to see it again to see if I could understand why. Well, I watched it, and I enjoyed it (especially her singing), but I can't for the life of me get why it impressed me so much when I was young. Still, I enjoyed it. Glad you brought it up. (What a voice that woman had!)