Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)

Somebody Up There Likes Me was based on the life of boxer Rocky Graziano, and was a role which had originally been intended for James Dean. However following Dean's death the role was given to relative newcomer Paul Newman. Directed by Robert Wise (of West Side Story and The Sound of Music fame) the film cemented Newman as an up and coming star.

Rocky is a poor young man who is constantly in trouble with the law, in and out of numerous prisons, and after being dishonourably discharged from the army he finds success as a boxer. His success gives him a new purpose in life as well as providing a wife and children. But Rocky is still burdened by his past and has to confront it in order to move on.

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Paul Newman's emotion and intensity create a memorable performance, Rocky's beginnings as a poor angry young man, and his final victory as a family man who has finally found his place in the world are handled realistically and sensitively. Pier Angeli is lovely as Rocky's wife, gentle but determined, the film also features Sal Mineo and a uncredited appearance of a young Steve McQueen.
The film has a gritty edge similar to Wise's later West Side Story, but is ultimately an uplifting tale which praises perseverance and belief in yourself and in those around you.

Fans of Paul should definitely see this film, as it paved the way for many of his later roles, complex, rebellious characters who have been treated badly in life and are looking for a way out. Sports fans will also enjoy it, and may be reminded of the famous Rocky films.

                                                                   (Paul with the real Rocky)

4/5 

The Fugitive Kind (1960)

Sidney Lumet's The Fugitive Kind brought three Oscar winners together, Marlon Brando, Anna Magnani and Joanne Woodward. Based on a Tennessee Williams play, the film followed the story of a guitar playing drifter (Brando) and his involvement with with his older employer who is suffering in an unhappy marriage.

Like many of Williams plays it is filled with powerful, complex characters whose outcomes are tragic. Brando plays a typical silent, strong rebel, and Woodward is fascinating as an alcoholic party girl, she makes the audience feel compassion for her character despite her characters lack of development. There is the sense that perhaps her character is the most complex. Magnani however is the star of the film, her raw emotion and sensitivity make her characters final scenes heartbreaking. Victor Jory is well cast as the villain, Magnani's dying husband.

For the most part the film is slow moving, but there is always tension sizzling under the surface (like many of Williams plays/films)  but the characters intensity, and the desire to know more about them keeps the viewer interested.

4/5


And as I love Paul and Joanne, here is a picture of Paul visiting Joanne on the set of this film!

Quick Flicks

Just a few films I have watched lately, but haven't had the time to write full reviews of!

Indiscreet (1958): Starring Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman. A well cast, amusing romantic comedy, with both Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant their usual charming selves! However I did not feel the storyline was as strong as the team behind it, not Grant or Bergman's best work, but enjoyable to watch nonetheless. 3.5/5

Miss Sadie Thompson (1953): Starring Rita Hayworth, Jose Ferrer & Aldo Ray. I felt amongst the colour and the noise this film fell short of being a great film. The acting was good, but it never quite made the mark it was aiming for. 3/5

Never So Few (1959): Starring Frank Sinatra, Gina Lollobrigida & Steve McQueen. This is a good solid war film, Sinatra is very good as a rebellious army captain in India during the Second World War. Sometimes his scenes with Lollobrigida drag on. But it is worth taking a look to see McQueen's first major film role (since The Blob), that led to his classic roles in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. 3.5/5

South Pacific (1958): Starring Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr & Rossano Brazzi. I love a good musical, and this Rogers & Hammerstein classic certainly was a good one! Wonderful songs, scenery and characters make this a memorable film that will make you laugh but also tug at your heart strings. 4/5

Lauren Bacall (1924-2014)

So sad to hear about the passing of the talented and beautiful Lauren Bacall.

"I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that"

May she Rest in Peace. 

Wuthering Heights (1939)

Wuthering Heights is my favourite novel, and I must admit I approach its film adaptations with some trepidation. I don’t feel as if there is a definitive film version of what some have called an impossible novel to film, and whilst it is not perfect, William Wyler’s 1939 version certainly has some 'right' elements. 

The film depicts the first half of Emily Bronte’s famous novel, and leaves out the second half which deals with the second generation at Wuthering Heights. This is quite common in film adaptions of the book. 

Laurence Olivier, who is great as Heathcliff, wanted his future wife Vivien Leigh to be cast as Cathy (she too wanted the part) but studio obligations saw Merle Oberon being cast instead. Leigh was offered the role of Isabella but declined, (at the time she wasn’t well known enough to be cast in the pivotal role of Cathy).
Oberon’s Cathy lacks the wild vindictiveness of the Cathy in the novel, and in some ways is a ‘nicer’ version. One cannot help but wonder what Cathy would have been like in the hands of Leigh who played a similar, wilful character in the years top film, Gone With the Wind.

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Ellen the housekeeper also becomes somewhat ‘sanitized’, unlike in the novel, where she actively abhors Heathcliff, and shuns Cathy’s behaviour, the Ellen in the film looks upon both with pity. Even rejoicing at their reunion through death.  Whilst in the novel her motives are unclear, and her trustworthiness is doubted, in the film she is a noble woman, who looks after her charges and relishes in their final reunion.

However on the whole the film is a good one, and whilst not entirely faithful to the book, it is enjoyable and moving to watch. The wildness of the moors are beautiful even in black and white, and Olivier is commanding as Heathcliff, yet still inspires pity from the audience. Cathy's death and the final scene are  haunting. 

    

4/5

Key Largo (1948)

Key Largo (1948) is a gangster/ drama film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Edward G. Robinson. It takes place in Key Largo Florida, with Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart), an ex soldier arriving at a hotel owned by one of his late comrades family. There he finds his friends wife Nora Temple (Lauren Bacall) and his father James Temple (Lionel Barrymore) are unwittingly housing infamous mobster Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson) and his gang. As a hurricane approaches McCloud and the Temple's are held hostage. (Spoilers ahead!)

Tensions mount as Rocco becomes increasingly agitated with the storm, Nora and Frank. He is hoping to go to Cuba with money earned from forgery. His mistreated girlfriend Gaye (Claire Trevor), begins to realise over the course of the night that Rocco is no good, and after Frank shows kindness towards her, she helps him in return. After a policeman and two innocent victims are killed as a result of the gangsters presence, the hurricane finally passes, Rocco receives his money and is ready to depart. The man he hired to take him to Cuba however has left during the storm. And consequently Rocco forces McCloud to take them instead. 

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With the aid of Gaye, McCloud secures a gun, and leaves Key Largo with the gangsters. The final climatic battle on the boat spells the end for Rocco and triumph for McCloud, who rings Nora to tell her he will be returning to Key Largo. 

The film was the last of four films Bogart and Bacall made together, and I must admit I wish Bacall had had a larger role! Claire Trevor won the the academy award for best supporting actress for her role as Rocco's girlfriend, and her performance is one of the highlights of the film. The escalating hurricane adds a different level of tension. 
This was my first time seeing a Bogart and Bacall film and I am looking forward to watching their other collaborations. Any recommendations? If anyone is reading, I would love to hear from you in the comments! 

3.5 / 5
Also here is the trailer for the film! Enjoy! 

A Star is Born (1954)

A Star is Born tells the story of Esther Blodgett (Judy Garland), a promising singer who is noticed by alcoholic actor Norman Maine (James Mason). Impressed by her talent he lands her a screen test which sees her become an actress in films. (spoilers ahead!)
The studio makes her change her name to Vicki Lester and her remarkable singing talent sees her become an overnight sensation. Esther and Norman fall in love, and are married.

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For awhile everything goes well for the couple, however whilst Esther's star is on the rise, Norman's is on the decline. He is dropped from the studio and finds himself without work. He becomes increasingly dependant on alcohol.
Esther is nominated for an academy award, and on the night wins the Oscar. Norman arrives late and drunkenly interrupts her acceptance speech, accidentally hitting her as well.
Everything is falling apart for Norman and he spends time in a sanatorium in an attempt  to recover. He appears to have recovered but a chance meeting with studio publicist Matt Libby plunges him into alcoholism again. Libby insults Norman and states he never liked him, a fight ensues, and then Norman disappears, appearing later after being arrested for drunken behaviour. Esther saves him from jail time, and tells studio boss Oliver Niles that she plans on giving up her career in order to help Norman.
Norman overhears their conversation and is devastated at the pain he has caused Esther and by what he has become. He tells her he is going for a swim, but drowns himself in the ocean.
The death is labelled accidental by the press, and Esther is devastated, refusing to see anyone or to do any work. Her old friend Danny convinces her she should not give up the career Norman so desperately wanted to preserve. Esther agrees to appear at a charity benefit, and she appears on stage saying,
"Hello Everybody. This is Mrs Norman Maine"

A Star is Born was Judy Garland's return to films after a four year absence. Frequent illnesses, and drug addictions, earned Judy a reputation of being difficult to work with. It was director George Cukor's first musical and first colour film (he would later go onto direct My Fair Lady). It was a musical remake of a 1937 film starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March.
The film opened to a star studded premiere, with guests including Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Crawford, to name a few!
Despite it's premiere the film failed to do well at the box office, and after its initial release many sequences were cut out. In 1983 a restoration process went underway, with as many scenes as possible being restored, using cut film footage, photographs and sound recording.
Judy Garland was widely believed to win the Oscar that year, so much so that a film crew was set up in her hospital room, where she was resting after giving birth to her son. Grace Kelly won instead however for The Country Girl.

Judy's performance is Oscar worthy, her power as a singer, and her combination of innocence and world weariness create a memorable performance. James Mason is also excellent as her alcoholic actor husband displaying charisma, and a dark side that undermines his life. The musical numbers are wonderful particularly 'The Man That Got Away'.

I thought this was a really good film, that portrays the darker side of Hollywood. The acting is wonderful from everyone, but especially Judy whose star really shines!

4/5

If you'd like you can listen to Judy singing 'The Man that Got Away' you can hear it here and watch the premiere here.