tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post8202855656119007287..comments2024-03-08T18:49:51.289-05:00Comments on Classic Film and TV Café: The Dark Side of Obsession: LauraRick29http://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-84583963740318394772017-02-28T01:35:46.455-05:002017-02-28T01:35:46.455-05:00A great noir film. I just saw it for the third ti...A great noir film. I just saw it for the third time on PBS a few weeks ago. Could not have been better. And Gene Tierney: what perfect casting.<br /><br />I don't know if Clifton Webb's character is gay or not. I have no way of knowing. I think he's a very lonely guy who molded a beautiful woman and was intensely possessive and jealous of anyone who go close to her, i.e., men. She filled a void in his life and because he molded her, he felt he owned her.<br /><br />These are awful traits similar to those of domestic abusers, where their spouses are their possessions and they must guard them against everyone else, lest anyone become too close.<br /><br />And I don't think it's effeminate to type in the bathtub. Look at Bryan Cranston sitting in his bathtub, smoking and drinking wine <br />while typing away at film scripts, as the great writer, Dalton Trumbo. This is in the movie, "Trumbo," a terrific film.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-43155434297459022742012-05-07T22:44:34.569-04:002012-05-07T22:44:34.569-04:00An excellent noir with an exquisite score, superb ...An excellent noir with an exquisite score, superb dialog and a ravishing Gene Tierney. It deserves its reputation.Ace89https://www.blogger.com/profile/10910988855113730739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-33501873098234828802010-06-13T12:39:00.691-04:002010-06-13T12:39:00.691-04:00Wow! I'm glad you all enjoyed the review. As a...Wow! I'm glad you all enjoyed the review. As always, I love reading your feedback.<br /><br />Sark: It's nice to know you mimick your drinking habits after Dana Andrews. LOL! Gene Tierney was a really beautiful woman, so I can see why she'd make you weak in the knees. Of course, when I think of her I can't help thinking about her very public breakdown. I agree that Waldo had some issues with his effeminate ways, but I don't know that I agree that he wanted to snuff them out, as he took great joy in dressing up his own personal paper doll in Laura.<br /><br />Becky: That is pretty much what Waldo says to them after Laura gives him the heave-ho. It was one of many classic lines to roll of Webb's tongue in Laura. Your interpretaion about Waldo is a good one; he does think she is the perfect arm candy. As I said in my review, he was very proud of HIS creation. And, yes, the hats are great. Personally, I'm glad hats are no longer in style because I don't have a hat head, but they do add a jolt of style to most outfits. <br /><br />Rick: I don't have a problem putting in spoiler alerts with my posts (since I usually tell the whole story), just tell me what you want. :) BTW, the lyrics to the song were by Johnny Mercer.<br /><br />Toto: Good point about the parallels between this and Rebecca. Both maids in those films were way too devoted to their mistresses and had issues with people touching their things. <br /><br />Dawn: I really didn't like Shelby in this film. I don't like to watch Price in roles like this. I much prefer to watch him as a sinister, plotting madman.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-72222778057025716452010-06-13T08:09:26.087-04:002010-06-13T08:09:26.087-04:00Kim, Awesome review!!"Laura" is one of m...Kim, Awesome review!!"Laura" is one of my favorite film noirs. I'm a huge fan of Gene Tierney,(as you may already know.. wink/wink) she and Dana Andrews make a great on screen movie couple and the plot is very creative!<br /><br />Your theory is very interesting.. Next time I watch the film "Laura", I will view it with your perspective in mind.<br /><br />I had a hard time accepting Vincent Price's character. He seemed so spineless.. and I just can not bring myself to see him that way.. <br /><br />Bec, loved the clothes and the hats!!Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-2189106163193482922010-06-12T22:57:36.612-04:002010-06-12T22:57:36.612-04:00"Laura" is one of my all-time favorite f..."Laura" is one of my all-time favorite films, Kim. It was my introduction to the lovely Gene Tierney and the remarkable Clifton Webb. They are fascinating to watch and each exudes class impeccably. Dana Andrews plays a man who has it bad for a woman who is clearly out of his league. Shelby is a milquetoast and I really enjoy Vincent Price in this role. <br /><br />I love when Waldo comes to see her at her job and endorses the pen after all, after embarrassing her earlier. Then we have the montage of their time together as he shows her the ropes of the upper class existence. <br /><br />I always thought there were some interesting parallels with "Rebecca" in that people are handling private things of "dead" women to the chagrin of others. And, of course, Judith Anderson has an important presence in both these films named after the significant woman of each. <br /><br />Great post about a remarkable film noir, Kim. And, I, too, think Gene looks fabulous in hats. What a classic beauty!toto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/09652682900471649463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-14980989836668878782010-06-12T21:05:14.722-04:002010-06-12T21:05:14.722-04:00Kim ,this is one of my favorite Film Noirs. Otto, ...Kim ,this is one of my favorite Film Noirs. Otto, Dana And Gene made a great team. I'm torn between this and "Where The Sidewalk Ends" as the best of their work. Excellent post.Paul 2https://www.blogger.com/profile/11500682719536011343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-2559072299528826392010-06-12T20:33:48.547-04:002010-06-12T20:33:48.547-04:00Kim, this is a very well-done review of one of my ...Kim, this is a very well-done review of one of my two favorite film noirs (the other being OUT OF THE PAST). It might warrant a plot spoiler warning, though, because the twist in LAURA is one of the all-time best. Actually, the first version of LAURA I saw was the 1968 TV remake with Lee Radziwill--Jackie O.'s sister--as Laura and Robert Stack (the detective), Farley Granger (Shelby), and George Sanders (Waldo). It wasn't half bad--it's still a great plot with memorable characters. But back to the original: Clifton Webb creates one of cinema's most memorable and complex villains (I pretty much agree with Sark's interpretation) and Vincent Price is simply delightful. Thanks for the fascinating info on the background of Raskin's haunting theme. I have a version that includes the lyrics, which I think were added later (they don't seem to relate to the film).Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-88135808700731092042010-06-12T20:27:02.278-04:002010-06-12T20:27:02.278-04:00GREAT review - I LOVE this movie. Definitely one o...GREAT review - I LOVE this movie. Definitely one of my favorites. <br /><br />I never thought about Laura being Waldo's feminine self - could be. Thanks for giving me a new perspective! I need to go watch it again :)Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17944149012973136501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-65849020955371299322010-06-12T17:31:37.854-04:002010-06-12T17:31:37.854-04:00Great review, Kim!!! This is a a great classic mu...Great review, Kim!!! This is a a great classic murder mystery. I have seen it many times and just love it. The music is haunting too. Enjoyed reading your review!!Akihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03037507780056714337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-84155917361322683532010-06-12T16:15:30.304-04:002010-06-12T16:15:30.304-04:00Sark said it best -- superb write-up, Kim. Laura ...Sark said it best -- superb write-up, Kim. Laura is in my top 10 favorite classics. Everything about it draws you in, and it does not disappoint. The backstage drama you outline is just fascinating. Gene Tierney is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, and her reserved, icy persona is perfect for Laura. Dana Andrews was at his best in this and Clifton Webb -- well, what can you say about Clifton without using the words extraordinary talent. I loved him in every movie he ever made. One of my favorite lines from Laura is the snotty, nose-in-the-air Lydecker saying to Laura and McPherson (I hope I have it right) "I leave you to what promises to be a disgustingly earthy relationship." My sisters and I quote that one a lot.<br /><br />My feelings about Lydecker's character is that in many ways, he is a Pygmalion character, molding and creating a lady, then holding her as his own possession. I never had the feeling of any actual sexual tension in Lydecker, more that he does not want to lose the beautiful arm-candy that he has created, loves obsessively and must have to fill a void in his life.<br /><br />As for Laura comforting Lydecker as he is dying, I can see that her warm heart could do nothing else. Lydecker was a pitiful lonely creature, obviously mentally unbalanced, and he loved her so much in his tangled mind.<br /><br />I also have to cry Kudos to the wonderful costume designer (I don't know who it was.) The gorgeous tailored clothes set off Tierney's beauty perfectly, and didn't you love the hats!!?? <br /><br />Excellent critique of an excellent movie, Kim!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344878851139332715.post-75530218085818735962010-06-12T15:46:25.459-04:002010-06-12T15:46:25.459-04:00Superb review, Kim, as per usual. LAURA is one of ...Superb review, Kim, as per usual. LAURA is one of my favorites, and there's a seemingly endless number of reasons why it's such an outstanding film: great director, great actors, strong story and characters, etc. Gene Tierney makes me weak in the knees, and she was a wonderful actress. Dana Andrews was always a little stiff in his performances, but I love him in LAURA. He does this odd thing when he's holding a drink, where his arm is perfectly perpendicular to the rest of his body. He even takes a drink and maintains that posture. I don't know why I like that so much, but I do that a lot around my house, and my wife will see it and say, "Thank you, Dana."<br /><br />I had a college prof who thought the same thing about Clifton Webb's Waldo. I agree with you that Waldo is likely homosexual. But I thought Waldo possibly wanted to snuff that part of him, that Laura represented the effeminate man he'd rather keep hidden. In public, he's a snazzily dressed gentleman, but privately, he prefers soaking in a bath while on his typewriter. As you said, it's open to interpretation, yet another reason LAURA is so excellent.<br /><br />Thank you so much for your write-up, Kim. I love this movie, and I love talking about it, and I love Gene Tierney.sarkoffagushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922698736476674377noreply@blogger.com