NEW YEAR'S EVE

NEW YEAR'S EVE

ONCE the long month of December was still

and filled with wishes and dreams,

pageants and store Santas, and

hot chocolate and mittens on strings.

NOW it is a battle to grasp the days,

the hours and minutes,

while time laughs and

rushes to turn the calendar page.

- Patricia Nolan-Hall

THE AVA GARDNER BLOGATHON: Whistle Stop (1946)

Maddy Loves Her Classic Films and her blogathons. Adding something extra special to the holidays Maddy is giving us the opportunity to celebrate Ava Gardner, who was born on Christmas Eve in 1922.

Click HERE to enjoy all of the tributes to the beautiful star.

24-year-old Ava Gardner in a costume from the 1946 independent feature, Whistle Stop.

Ava had been signed by MGM in 1941 and while she was being groomed for stardom with acting lessons, etc., Ava appeared in uncredited bit roles. She was given featured roles in the studio's B series such as 3 Men in White (Dr. Gillespie series) and Maisie Goes to Reno.

Perhaps the studio was unsure of how best to present the beautiful young actress, but in 1946 she worked away from MGM in two films noir of varying quality. Mark Hellinger produced and Robert Siodmak directed The Killers from an Ernest Hemingway story, and it is the film that put Ava on the map as femme fatale Kitty Collins. Prior to that star-making turn, Ava played Mary in Whistle Stop for long time independent producer Seymour Nebenzal (Hitler's Madman) and co-producer and writer Philip Yordan (Broken Lance).

Jane Nigh, Florence Bates, Charles Judels, George Raft

Unidentified, Ava Gardner, Charles Drake

Whistle Stop has the involvement of many tops at their craft including Yordan, cinematographer Russell Metty, composer Dimitri Tiomkin, and actress Florence Bates. However, a muddled story presentation and the mismatched pairing of Gardner and George Raft as romantic leads defeats the movie.

George Raft is the above-the-title lead and while I think he is too old to play the lazy wastrel Kenny, the love of Mary's life, his world-weary look is appropriate when Kenny realizes what a mess he has made of things. 

Jorja Curtright, Ava Gardner, George Raft

Mary has come back to her whistle stop of a hometown after living the high life in Chicago. It is unspoken, but apparent that her looks have carried her far and she has done well. Not every girl in this town has a mink. Nonetheless, her love for Kenny has brought her back. When Kenny refuses to change his lazy days of gambling and drinking, even for her, Mary rushes to the arms of shady businessman Lew Lentz played by Tom Conway (The Falcon's Brother). 

Conway has a large portion of the town under his thumb, including bartender Gitlo played by Oscar-winner (The Informer) Victor McLaglen. Gitlo professes to be Kenny's friend but gets his pal involved in a plan to murder Lentz. Jorja Curtright (Heaven Only Knows) is excellent as Fran, a waitress who loves Kenny and isn't willing to give up on her dream. 

Tom Conway, Ava Gardner, George Raft, Victor McLaglen

A freak accident, a botched robbery, and a frame-up complicate matters while Mary and Kenny work out their romantic entanglements. Whistle Stop packs a lot of plot into just under 90-minutes of run time.

Ava doesn't seem to get a lot of support from director Leonide Moguy, but her scenes with the old pro, Florence Bates bring out her best. Ava's scenes with leading man Raft have a sense of care about them. It feels as if he is protecting rather than romancing the young woman. The character of Mary gives us no sign of what Ava will be delivering soon as the smoldering, soulless Kitty in The Killers.

Whistle Stop is a film of middling results for the interesting creatives involved, but Ava's fans should watch it as part of enjoying the step-by-step maturing of an actress and a star who will become a legend.

WHAT A CHARACTER! BLOGATHON: The Villainy of Jack Lambert

It's time for the 7th annual What a Character! blogathon hosted by Paula's Cinema Club, Outspoken and Freckled and Once Upon a Screen. Thank you Paula, Kellee, and Aurora! Look for the contributions posted on December 14, 15 and 16. DAY ONE / DAY TWO / DAY THREE

Jack Lambert

April 13, 1920 - February 18, 2002

When someone decides to pursue a career as an actor, as did Yonkers-born Jack Lambert when he abandoned his original plan to become an English Professor, you prepare yourself by becoming adept at playing any role in the vast repertoire of the theatre. You also prepare yourself in the knowledge that the powers-that-be will not see you for every role. Unless a casting director was in a particularly whimsical mood, Lambert would not be cast as a kindly professor. His craggy face and intimidating physique made Lambert a tough guy walking.

Jack Lambert had two brief runs on Broadway in 1940/41 and his first movie work was an uncredited bit in Stage Door Canteen in 1943. You can't miss him! He's Jack Lambert! The work that piled up in the next few years was still mostly uncredited. Look for Jack Lambert in The Hidden Eye, The Harvey Girls, and The Killers. Better roles of the villain type were coming his way and the following are a few of my favourites.


ABILENE TOWN 1946

Randolph Scott has to tangle with a lot of trouble in this entertaining western, from a lazy sheriff played by Edgar Buchanan, gal pals Ann Dvorak and Rhonda Fleming, sneaky businessmen, and the murderous Jet Younger played by Jack Lambert. What's a hero to do?

DICK TRACY'S DILEMMA 1947

Jack Lambert, Ralph Byrd

John Rawlins directed this movie I refer to as the Citizen Kane of Dick Tracy flicks. Ralph Byrd's stalwart detective is up against a single-minded maniac in Steve Michel aka "The Claw" played by Jack Lambert. The Claw has been betrayed by criminal cohorts and he stops at nothing, including wanton murder to exact his revenge and make the big payday he feels he is owed. Noirish cinematography by Tracy series regular Frank Redman adds much to the value of this movie. Lambert is truly frightening.

THE UNSUSPECTED 1947

Claude Rains, Jack Lambert

No one would suspect Claude Rains of being a murderer, or would they? Michael Curtiz directed this interesting film-noir wherein a noted radio host blithely believes he is smarter than those who would ferret out his deadly secrets. Lambert is the dupe whose brawn is useful but becomes dangerous in more ways than one when he tries to use his brain.

STARS IN MY CROWN 1950

Based on Joe David Brown's episodic novel of nostalgia and coming-of-age, Lambert plays town bully Perry Lokey in Stars in My Crown. Typical of his ilk, Lokey delights in tormenting those weaker than himself. He's happiest when he can use his whip. Joel McCrea as Reverand Gray turns the tables, and the whip on Lokey. In a moving climax, Gray even reminds Lokey that he has a soul, or at least he is smart enough to understand which way the wind is blowing. An excellent movie well worth many viewings. Read more about the movie here.

BEND OF THE RIVER 1952

Harry Morgan, Rock Hudson, Royal Dano, Arthur Kennedy, Jack Lambert

This second of many excellent Anthony Mann and James Stewart collaborations was filmed on location in Oregon. It is an exciting outdoor adventure with Lambert part of a gang of ne'er do wells pressed into transporting goods for farmers. The stake offered for their unwilling service looks like peanuts next to the fortune offered by starving miners. Lambert as the bluff leader of this ragtag group, and sporting a credible French-Canadian accent, leads his gang in a mutiny. No sooner does he reach that goal then he is usurped by the smarter and more cunning Arthur Kennedy. Exciting stuff.

DAY OF THE OUTLAW 1959

Jack Lambert

Jack Lambert plays "Tex" in this Andre De Toth picture. He is the toughest in a gang of very tough men; thieves and robbers under the leadership of a former military man played by Burl Ives. Tex chafes when Ives declares there must be no molestation of the people of Bitters, the town they have taken over while Ives receives medical treatment. At every turn, Tex attempts to push the boundaries until his ironic and gruesome end. A most worthwhile entry in the western-noir subgenre. Read more about the movie here.

CLASSIC TV

Jack Lambert as Joshua Walcek, Riverboat

Jack Lambert has 57 television credits according to the IMDb. These include Jane Wyman Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Burke's Law and, as you might expect, Have Gun Will Travel, Bonanza, Wagon Train, Death Valley Days, Bat Masterson, Daniel Boone, and a recurring role on Riverboat.

Jack Lambert, Leonard Nimoy, Don Adams

My favourite Lambert pop up was on a 1966 episode of Get Smart as "Shark" in the episode The Dead Spy Scrawls. KAOS is headquartered in a pool room. Max is fooling no one going undercover.

Jack Lambert's last acting credit was on Gunsmoke in 1970 after which he and his second wife Marjorie moved to Carmel and ran a boutique. Tough old guy roles were few and far between and that whimsical casting director had yet to make his or her mark.

Jack Lambert's presence in many of my favourite older movies and television shows makes me smile at the thought of the supreme villainy I am about to enjoy from the comfort and safety of my living room couch.


Postscript: When you are enjoying your classic television keep an eye peeled for Lee J. Lambert (sometimes Lee Jay Lambert), Jack's son from his first marriage, who has a number of credits on series ranging from Daniel Boone to I Dream of Jeannie to Adam-12 to Hawaii Five-O between 1968 to 1979.

CHRISTMAS ON REMAKE AVENUE: Kind Lady 1935 and 1951

Hugh Walpole's short story The Silver Mask was the basis for Edward Chodorov's play Kind Lady. Grace George starred in the 1935 Broadway production and a 1940 revival. The first film version was released by MGM in 1935. 

Kind Lady is a psychological thriller starring the incredible Aline MacMahon and the versatile Basil Rathbone. Ms. McMahon plays Mary Herries, a wealthy woman living comfortably in London. She has an affectionate family and is well-thought-of by friends and strangers alike.

Since losing her fiance in the Great War Mary Herries has devoted herself to her collection of art. She has a kind heart and also a physically weak heart. Her sister Lucy played by Doris Lloyd encourages her to get out more, but Mary feels content in her life. Her Niece Phyllis played by Mary Carlisle is happily engaged to an American, Peter played by Frank Albertson and they bring a youthful energy to Mary's stately home. 

Aline MacMahon, Basil Rathbone

It is a fateful Christmas Eve when Miss Herries crosses paths with Henry Abbott played by Basil Rathbone. Abbott's life has also been affected by the Great War. He is a clever man, an artist, and deeply disturbed. Abbott takes advantage of Miss Herries' generous impulses and insinuates himself into her home using the pretense of a sick wife and tiny child. Eventually, a family of crooks played by Dudley Digges, Eily Malyon and Barbara Shields join Abbott in controlling the household. Also part of the gang is a murderous doctor played by Murray Kinnell.

Basil Rathbone, Nola Luxford

Miss Herries' cook has walked out and her devoted maid Rose played by Nola Luxford is about to do the same. Miss Herries comes to the realization that Abbott plans to take over her household and dispose of her art collection. She has a heart episode and is sadly left to the tender mercy of the cutthroats with everyone who loves her thinking she is enjoying herself on a trip with Rose.

It is a battle of wills and nerve as avenues of escape are closed to the terrified woman who must keep her wits about her against the combined forces of these "wretched people". The mentally disturbed Abbott is particularly troubling with his power and sense of entitlement.

Kind Lady was the only teaming of actors MacMahon and Rathbone and they bring the script to life with a strong sense of the strengths and weaknesses of their characters. Directed by George B. Seitz (The Last of the Mohicans, Hardy Family series) Kind Lady is an emotionally engrossing thriller.

Trivia:

Henry Daniell, Basil Rathbone as Moriarty and Holmes

The Woman in Green

Henry Daniell played Henry Abbott in the 1935 Broadway production opposite Grace George, the role taken by Basil Rathbone on the screen. Daniell played the nasty and dreaded uncle in the 1953 play My 3 Angels. Rathbone took that role in the 1953 movie We're No Angels. The two actors seem to have had a Holmes and Moriarty thing happening.

MGM remade Kind Lady in 1951 with an outstanding cast and directed by John Sturges. Sturges' output for the studio at this time includes Mystery Street, The Magnificent Yankee, The People Against O'Hara and The Girl in White. All are top-flight entertainment and Kind Lady is no exception. In many respects, I think this film outdoes the earlier version. The psychological intensity and the darkness in the story are played up beautifully.

Note that the tagline, 15 years apart, remained the same. Outstanding aspects of this treatment are the cinematography by Oscar winner Joseph Ruttenberg (Gaslight, Madame Curie) and the score by David Raksin (Laura, Separate Tables).

Maurice Evans, Betsy Blair, Ethel Barrymore, Keenan Wynn, Angela Lansbury

Ethel Barrymore is exceptional in the role of Mary Herries. At the age of 72, her portrayal of an "old lady" as this character makes the whole situation more poignant and fraught with anxiety. Maurice Evans plays the villainous Henry Elcott and his frail wife Ada is played by Betsy Blair. In this treatment, it is a genuine family instead of a thrown-together facade. This makes Henry's maniacal hold over Ada even more dire.

The couple Henry brings into his plans, Mr. and Mrs. Henry, is played by Keenan Wynn and Angela Lansbury, and they are more hirees than friends, making their loyalty suspect. Their simple daughter Aggie appears only briefly.

Doris Lloyd as Rose

The loyal Rose is played by Doris Lloyd and again her instincts regarding the artist in their midst are spot on. John Williams is cast as a banker new to the Herries account, but sharp in his judgement.

Instead of the Christmas Eve beginning, the movie opens a week before Christmas and by that day Elcott's plans are flourishing. Miss Herries does not suffer from a heart problem but is physically restrained to her bed while Elcott spreads the news that she has had a nervous breakdown thus explaining away any screams heard by neighbours or the police.

Henry immediately begins selling off the priceless possessions collected by Miss Herries. All the while he cheekily refers to her as "Aunt Mary" and presents himself to outsiders as a relative. He also continues his work on a portrait which shows the woman descending into madness. Miss Herries calls the portrait "corrupt, vicious, and insane." She is not wrong.

Miss Herries is a cany individual who plays her tormentors against each other. Ada in this version is frightened of her husband and open to anything that will free her. Mrs. Edwards is smart enough not to trust Henry but has difficulty convincing her husband of their own personal danger.

The hoped-for comeuppance of Henry Elcott is led by Miss Herries with unforeseen and tragic assistance. The villain is done in by his own madness and greed.

Trivia:

Basil Rathbone, Doris Lloyd

Doris Lloyd, the loyal maid in our 1951 version, pictured here in the 1935 film as Lucy Weston, Mary Herries' sister.

REGALING ABOUT RICHARD BURTON BLOGATHON: Becket (1964)

Gill is hosting the Regaling About Richard Burton Blogathon at her site Realweegiemidget Reviews. 

Click HERE for the tributes to the revered actor.

A historical drama and a character study, Becket tackles such weighty subjects as politics, faith, the divine right of kings, love, jealousy, honour, and murder. The roles of King Henry II and the later canonized Thomas Becket were made for great actors to portray. Peter Glenville directed this film and the original Broadway production starring Laurence Olivier as Becket and Anthony Quinn as the King. During the run, the stars switched roles and when Quinn left the production Arthur Kennedy played Becket to Olivier's Henry.

Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton

Peter O'Toole had been cast as the King in the Royal Shakespeare Company production but backed out when the opportunity came to make Lawrence of Arabia. His replacement was Christopher Plummer opposite Eric Porter. Becket was O'Toole's next feature film role after the Lean film made him an international star.

Becket's placement in Richard Burton's early 1960s filmography comes between Cleopatra, The V.I.P.s, and The Night of the Iguana and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Both Burton and O'Toole were nominated by the Academy in the leading role category the movie season of Becket's release with Rex Harrison receiving the trophy for My Fair Lady.

On one level Becket is the story of the deep kinship between two disparate friends. The sovereign of a land and the educated member of the class dominated by power. On another level, it is the story of the mistrust of the ruling class, the Normans, for their subjects, the Saxons. It is the mistrust between the monarchy and the religious leaders, and their struggle for power. The Divine Right of Kings must be secondary to the Divine Right of God, but on this earthy plain, the struggle is more than intellectual or spiritual.

Feeling a great frustration with the disrespect accorded by his clergy, Henry has the brilliant idea of installing his educated friend Thomas Becket in the place of the recently deceased Archbishop of Canterbury. Even a king can use friends in high places.

What Henry did not reckon on was that his moody friend whose search for meaning in his life had never been fulfilled would find that fulfillment in the priesthood and his sacred calling to this high position. Becket would not bow to his king's wishes. Becket would do his God's bidding. Becket would vex the king greatly.

O'Toole is a flamboyant monarch, relishing in his position and confident in his abilities. Burton's more introspective character is played with the sardonic eye of the observer and the soul of a searcher. It is an operatic duet blending a tenor and a baritone in an exploration of emotion.

Richard Burton, John Gielgud

Also nominated for an Oscar, in the supporting category is John Gielgud as King Louis VII of France. It is a performance with a deceptively light touch that balances the intensity of our leads as Louis plays his own game of politics vs. church.

Sian Phillips, Peter O'Toole

Martita Hunt is Henry's mother, the imperious Empress Matilda, and Pamela Brown his contentious wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Sian Phillips (married to O'Tool 1959-1979) is haunting as Gwendolyn, a woman who loves Becket but is desired by Henry. Her fate means more in the men's lives than they acknowledge. David Weston draws our interest as Brother John, a young monk whose faith and character inspires his bishop, Becket.

The conflict between king and cleric results in the assassination of the Archbishop. The conflict also results in Henry humbling himself before his people and the Church in atonement. Henry has made a martyr of Thomas Becket and learns that a king cannot fight a saint.

Becket is an engrossing drama with an interesting take on the history of the time, fascinating themes and performances for the ages.


Trivia:

The year of Becket's release, 1964, saw Richard Burton Tony-nominated for starring on Broadway in Hamlet directed by John Gielgud, who also played the Ghost.


Oscars:

Oscar winner Edward Anhalt with Deborah Kerr who presented the writing awards

Total nominations: 12

Total wins: 1

Edward Anhalt won the Oscar for Best Writing Based on Material from Another Medium for his screenplay based on Jean Anouilh's 1959 play, Becket or The Honour of God.

The Academy accorded the film 11 other nominations including Best Director for Peter Glenville and Best Picture. Acting nods went to Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, and John Gielgud.

The Academy also nominated the film's cinematography, art direction-set decoration, costume design (color), sound, editing, and original score.

CAFTAN WOMAN'S CHOICE: ONE FOR DECEMBER ON TCM

Friendly warning: Pour your tea before the movie starts or the scene of domestic bliss around the breakfast table will confuse even you with that one cup!

On second thought: It's close enough to noon for something a little more libatious. Why don't we meet up at Denker's Beer Garden? Everybody goes to Denkers. Mr. Hardy and his good friend Mr. Laurel end up there with their wives, Daphne "Mama" Hardy (Daphne Pollard) and Betty "Bubbles" Laurel (Betty Brown). 

Ollie and Stan

Twin brothers to the prosperous gentlemen mentioned above, Seaman Bert Hardy and Seaman Alf Laurel also show up at Denker's establishment. The two tars were directed there by the Captain (Sidney Toler) of their ship, the S.S. Periwinkle.

Bert and Alf do not have a very good time of it after meeting two refined young ladies Alice (Iris Adrian) and Lily (Lona Andre). The boys don't have enough of the folding stuff to spend on the girls despite just having been paid. Fellow sailor Finn (James Finlayson) is holding their money in crooked trust so they will someday be millionaires.

Bert and Alf with Joe the waiter

Joe Gorgan (Alan Hale) the waiter at Denker's, unaware he is dealing with twins and the twins unaware of each other, has all of the Laurels and Hardys over a barrel. The prosperous town dwellers have been forced to pay up for the earlier indebtedness with the young ladies of refinement while the hapless and perpetually broke sailors have consigned a valuable ring belonging to their captain to the tavern keeper as security.

My, doesn't life get complicated? We'd better hurry with our pick-me-up before that souse (Arthur Housman) starts getting overly friendly. At any rate, we should try and find a nice corner table before things start hopping.

On third thought: Let's head over to a more classy place. Shady characters like the Gangster Boss (Ralf Harolde) and Second Gangster (Noel Madison) only add to the atmosphere of The Pirate Club. Should we sit on the balcony or over by the netting? Oh, look at the fancy birthday cake! I do hope there is no mishap with the confection.

Oblivious twins, jealous women, an irate captain, and gangsters. It's a recipe for mayhem and mirth.

W.W. Jacobs, the author of the famous horror tale The Monkey's Paw, also wrote much humour and it one of those stories, The Money Box, about some poor sailors trying to get rich that was the basis of Our Relations. The story was adapted by Richard Connell, familiar to many as the author of the adventurous tale The Most Dangerous Game. Felix Adler who collaborated on six of Laurel and Hardy's popular features, including Way Out West and Block-Heads was also a contributor.

Our Relations was the only time director Harry Lachman (Charlie Chan at the Circus) worked with the team. Rudolph Mate, the multi-Oscar-nominated cinematographer (Foreign Correspondent) worked on this picture and The Flying Deuces with Laurel and Hardy. Both movies required some movie trickery to put over the laughs.

TCM is screening Our Relations at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 6th in a daytime lineup filled with a generous helping of Laurel and Hardy goodness. In essence, wake up, turn on the television and enjoy!


Remember: Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

Trivia:

Donald MacBride, Sidney Toler, Sen Yung

Murder Over New York

Our Relations director Harry Lachman would go on to direct the captain in our movie, Sidney Toler in his last four Charlie Chan features at 20th Century Fox.