Post by TheOriginalPinky on Apr 27, 2017 18:33:00 GMT
The whole film is a camp romp. I love it, even Bodie's terrible Irish accent. What was with Hollywood casting directors? I mean, what's up with Bogie's lousy Mexican accent in Virginia City? Or, later, Charlton Heston's complete lack of a try at a Mexican accent in Touch of Evil?
On a serious note, I should also write that I might have included Dark Passage. (What's with all of these "dark" films? And they say film noir isn't a genre!
) Unintentionally funny in places, but the Bogie-Bacall rapport is as good as always, and the subjective camera gimmick is far, far better handled than in Robert Montgomery's unbelievably mediocre Lady in the Lake adaptation. You have to view Dark Victory. Davis's over-acting is at its height! I have a special place in my heart for it, as when I was very young, when I watched it, I actually cried at the end. Now, it's a study in fun, bad casting and atrocious directing.
I adored Dark Passage! Not one of his better-known films, but I love the POV. And Agnes Moorehead playing a real bitch. She was such a sweetheart in real life.
The studio system, especially Warner's, were a difficult bunch, and plugged you in wherever they wanted. It didn't matter. And some decisions were real humdingers!