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The Lady Eve (1941) Directed by Preston Sturges

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 4:37 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,





(Review originally written at 16 May 2009)

Romantic-comedies such as this movies flourished in the '40's and even though they are basically all much alike, they are still quite enjoyable to watch all, due to their simplistic and fun nature and the fact that there were often some great directors and big name actors involved.

The screwball genre isn't really my favorite and I also wouldn't exactly rank this movie among my favorites but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a movie like this one. I had seen some Preston Sturges screwball movies before, that are widely being regarded as classics and I must admit that I wasn't too greatly impressed with any of these movies. I must say that this movie is actually one I did liked much better for some reason though. It's definitely the best Preston Sturges movie I've seen so far.

Perhaps it are the movie its settings, perhaps it are the movie its actors. Who knows. But the movie does definitely entertain better than most other genre movies did. Still I feel that the movie with some more clever written could had been a far funnier one. The movie could had used some more comical moments, involving mistaken identity for instance. The movie didn't had enough laughs in it for my taste and the movie its comedy relies more on its dialog and performances by the actors, rather than its writing.

Luckily the movie does have some great actors in it though. Henry Fonda of course wasn't best known for his comedy roles but that is perhaps what makes him so perfect for his role in this movie. Barbara Stanwyck is truly excellent as well and to me was the heart and soul of this entire movie.

I enjoyed it more than any other Preston Sturges movie,

8/10

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In This Our Life (1942) Directed by John Huston

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 4:02 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , , ,

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(Review originally written at 31 October 2008)

Thing with these '40's dramatic movies is that they are always so melodramatic. The drama in these type of movies just never seem to seize to end and it often takes some very epic proportions. It at the same time always makes these movies incredibly powerful to watch, when done correctly. "In This Our Life" is such a movie that features some very strong drama, not in the least thanks to its great cast.
The movie has a fine story that focuses on a family and the two sisters of the family in particular, played by Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Of course quite ridicules and unconvincing to think that de Havilland and Davis are supposed to be sisters within this movie. I mean, de Havilland is far too beautiful for that, when comparing her looks to Davis'. Nevertheless you'll buy it, thanks to the acting performances and Davis' in particular. It perhaps is one of the most rotten and best roles out of her career.
The first halve of the movie is mostly a romantic-dramatic one, while the second halve of the movie focuses more on the family dramatic aspects. It's not like you're watching two separate movies though, both parts are connected to each other and both are important and relevant for the movie its story.
It's a movie filled with all kinds of dramatic themes and I must say that some of them even surprised me a bit when considering this movie got made back in 1942. The movie seemed to be ahead of its time with some of its plot elements, such as the treatment of Afro-Americans within American society and then in particular also by the law. With this, this movie must have been quite controversial for its time by showing how the black Americans got treated by the legal system.
You can of course also leave it up to John Huston to tell a relatively simple and small story in a big, epic, dramatic way. Before he became a successful director he was a successful writer who wrote the screenplays for some great successful classics, so I think the fact that he was such a talented writer also had to with it that he was such a great director as well. Besides writing and directing he also starred as an actor in quite a few movies, including some classics. He also plays a very small role in this movie as a bartender.
A great powerful melodramatic movie from the '40's.
8/10


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Kings Row (1942) Directed by Sam Wood

Posted by: Frank Veenstra Posted date: 7:21 AM / comment : 0 , , , , , , , , ,



(Review originally written at 17 January 2007)

 In the '40's these coming of age movies were pretty popular in America. Some good though always sappy movies were made in that time period. "Kings Row" is definitely one of the more better and memorable one's.

 It's a story of growing up in a small American town, around and before 1900. The movie features lots of characters but mainly focuses on the two friends Parris and Drake. The movie follows them from their early youth, to their early adulthood, involving their early love-life, study and jobs. Of course the movie also features the necessary drama and deaths. I mean, there probably is more drama in this, than in a month of soap-series episodes. Definitely an over-the-top dramatic story but it works amazingly well.

 As a matter of fact, the story is really the highlight of the movie. Lots is happening and the movie isn't heading in one clear main direction. It gives the movie a couple of surprises in its drama and doesn't make the movie as predictable as you maybe would expect from a genre-piece like this one.

 The many characters in this movie are just great and well written. Everybody serves a purpose in the story and for the development of the two real main characters of the movie. On top of that, they are also being played by some great actors. Robert Cummings and Ronald Reagan are real great as the two main characters. Reagan has never been known for his solid actor performances but this movie forms an excellent exception. One of his biggest and perhaps also best roles out of his career. See it to believe it. Also the supporting cast is great with Ann Sheridan, Charles Coburn and Claude Rains in some notable roles.

 The movie doesn't really ever pick on true main character. At first the movie mainly focuses on Parris but the second halve is mostly about Drake. Also, the key characters in the first halve of the movie differ from the ones in the second. It's an approach that works well for the story and keeps it interesting, original and unpredictable to follow, from start till finish.

 The movie is typically '40's looking, meaning that the style is kept simple and the sets cheap but all good enough to serve their purpose. The musical score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold is outstanding and deserves recognition.

 A great movie to watch and one of the better ones out of its genre.

 8/10

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