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Post by truecristian on Jan 7, 2020 22:06:34 GMT
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Post by koskiewicz on Jan 8, 2020 18:48:17 GMT
IMO, a very under rated film!
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Post by london777 on Jan 9, 2020 0:59:31 GMT
IMO, a very under-rated film! By whom? Three Oscar nominations, two BAFTA nominations, etc. One of Steven Schneider's "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die". Screenwriter Walter Newman was opposed to casting Eleanor Parker and wanted Shelley Winters. Winters had the "clinging whiner" role off pat, which is why it was better to choose Parker. The better-looking Parker also made it more believable that Sinatra would attempt to stick with the bitch. Originally intended to be a John Garfield vehicle, while Preminger wanted Montgomery Clift. Either of those might have been better, though Sinatra was good too. Anyway, a big step-up from "The Naked Runner", truechristian.
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Post by politicidal on Jan 9, 2020 1:01:45 GMT
Been meaning to see both this one and Some Came Running.
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Post by cynthiagreen on Jan 9, 2020 7:15:35 GMT
IMO, a very under-rated film! By whom? Three Oscar nominations, two BAFTA nominations, etc. One of Steven Schneider's "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die". Screenwriter Walter Newman was opposed to casting Eleanor Parker and wanted Shelley Winters. Winters had the "clinging whiner" role off pat, which is why it was better to choose Parker. The better-looking Parker also made it more believable that Sinatra would attempt to stick with the bitch. Originally intended to be a John Garfield vehicle, while Preminger wanted Montgomery Clift. Either of those might have been better, though Sinatra was good too. Anyway, a big step-up from "The Naked Runner", truechristian. According to my Fujiwara biog on Preminger he sent the incomplete GOLDEN ARM script to Brando & Sinatra simultaneously and Sinatra's agent responded two days later... Clift "may" have been sent it .... Agree wholeheartedly re Parker - although I gather in the novel it is Frankie who murders the dealer, not his wife... I rewatched recently and it holds up pretty well - more than a little strident but Sinatra excellent and the score is wonderful. I thought Novak pretty good too, even if the part is a bit of a doormat.
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Post by vegalyra on Jan 9, 2020 15:16:32 GMT
Interestingly and disappointingly it has never received a proper Region 1 blu ray release.
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Post by koskiewicz on Jan 9, 2020 17:36:59 GMT
londopn777 - why has it been only seen sporadically, if that, on mainstream TV, if it is so revered as you state?
It has largely to do with the subject matter, which should be its driving force, but is actually the reason people shun it.
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Post by cynthiagreen on Jan 9, 2020 19:09:29 GMT
londopn777 - why has it been only seen sporadically, if that, on mainstream TV, if it is so revered as you state? It has largely to do with the subject matter, which should be its driving force, but is actually the reason people shun it. Does the fact the film is in the public domain impact on it's airing on TV? Don't really know enough about that..... In UK it certainly not rare... I first saw it on TV .... don't have one now so no idea if it shown.........and it has had Rep cinema and BFI outings too. I have a huge collection of film guides and almost all weigh in on the YAY side on this one.... 
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Post by truecristian on Jan 10, 2020 17:47:53 GMT
This is 50's drama in the Elia Kazan mold; spelled with an over-sized "D" and with its conscience turned up extra loud. You could stub your toe on its moral message. The cast of characters is a bunch of trapped lowlifes. And the scenario is deliberately tawdry in the hopes of scaring up some verite'. It made me wonder why realism usually means I have to spend so much time with irritating, loathsome characters like Sasha, Vy, Frankie, & that annoying stooge with the ball cap. I wanted them all lined up and shot after just a few minutes. It's not as modern as it thinks or postures. It's more of a packaged-product than a movie; they designed the crap out of the production to give the appearance of thought, depth and modernity, but all that effort would have been better spent on questioning what drama was and what it might be. As soon as the pitiful girlfriend shows up in a wheelchair you know you're in for an old fashioned, heavy-handed run through the machinery. It's Laura Wingfield all over. Unaware that a wheelchair makes her stock nearly worthless in a 1950's slum, she's also the world's biggest, most neurotic drag. It's really sad that film-noir gave way to this unsubtle, over-produced schlock. All that and an overpresent Elmer Bernstein score that leaves no room for the characters to breathe. No dramatic development occurs without an orchestra slapping the sh*it out of viewers. A ridiculous movie without a shred of nuance.
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Post by london777 on Jan 10, 2020 21:47:23 GMT
This is 50's drama in the Elia Kazan mold; spelled with an over-sized "D" and with its conscience turned up extra loud. You could stub your toe on its moral message. The cast of characters is a bunch of trapped lowlifes. And the scenario is deliberately tawdry in the hopes of scaring up some verite'. It made me wonder why realism usually means I have to spend so much time with irritating, loathsome characters like Sasha, Vy, Frankie, & that annoying stooge with the ball cap. I wanted them all lined up and shot after just a few minutes. It's not as modern as it thinks or postures. It's more of a packaged-product than a movie; they designed the crap out of the production to give the appearance of thought, depth and modernity, but all that effort would have been better spent on questioning what drama was and what it might be. As soon as the pitiful girlfriend shows up in a wheelchair you know you're in for an old fashioned, heavy-handed run through the machinery. It's Laura Wingfield all over. Unaware that a wheelchair makes her stock nearly worthless in a 1950's slum, she's also the world's biggest, most neurotic drag. It's really sad that film-noir gave way to this unsubtle, over-produced schlock. All that and an overpresent Elmer Bernstein score that leaves no room for the characters to breathe. No dramatic development occurs without an orchestra slapping the sh*it out of viewers. A ridiculous movie without a shred of nuance. I do not know where this review comes from, but it was certainly not written by me (far too witty and literate) or posted here by me. Preminger is often a heavy-handed director and I agree with all the reviewer's points but he comes on too strong. Despite its failings it is still a film worth seeing.
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Post by hi224 on Jan 13, 2020 0:38:09 GMT
sublime all around as well.
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