tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post1075682318256455964..comments2024-03-23T03:57:15.055-07:00Comments on Caftan Woman: William Wyler Blogathon: Dead End (1937)Caftan Womanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-5073408813861820142012-07-04T16:03:36.980-07:002012-07-04T16:03:36.980-07:00My work here is done!
PS: My copy is a DVD bough...My work here is done!<br /><br />PS: My copy is a DVD bought at a second-hand shop for $4. Bargain!Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-26717480344445067322012-07-03T21:38:46.293-07:002012-07-03T21:38:46.293-07:00Outstanding post, CW. All I can say is -- I am goi...Outstanding post, CW. All I can say is -- I am going to dig out my VHS copy of Dead End and watch it again right now.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939607801184112943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-32960643549950022232012-07-01T08:43:21.363-07:002012-07-01T08:43:21.363-07:00Thank you, Dawn. It is surprising to me that the ...Thank you, Dawn. It is surprising to me that the play, although popular in regional and community theatre, has never had a Broadway revival - and no one was tried to musicalize it. As you say, it's all there!Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-84896507806566141372012-07-01T05:48:38.780-07:002012-07-01T05:48:38.780-07:00I also love how in this film you have, Rich, poor,...I also love how in this film you have, Rich, poor, kindhearted and hardhearted all trying to live together, in the same neighborhood. Wonderful reviewDawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-17671693135017665122012-06-28T13:07:26.076-07:002012-06-28T13:07:26.076-07:00Thanks a lot, Judy. I have no doubt that "De...Thanks a lot, Judy. I have no doubt that "Dead End" will live up to your expectations.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-30937391474433690932012-06-28T12:59:36.646-07:002012-06-28T12:59:36.646-07:00Patricia, as a fan of Bogart as well as Wilder, I&...Patricia, as a fan of Bogart as well as Wilder, I've been wanting to see this for ages - must now make sure to do so very soon! Great posting and choice of pictures - an excellent contribution to the blogathon. JudyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-62481528682235384912012-06-28T12:11:58.671-07:002012-06-28T12:11:58.671-07:00I feel the same way, Lady Eve. I can't imagin...I feel the same way, Lady Eve. I can't imagine a time when I will ever tire of watching "Dead End".Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-76677131751573263792012-06-28T11:44:58.342-07:002012-06-28T11:44:58.342-07:00"Dead End," like all the best of William..."Dead End," like all the best of William Wyler's films, satisfies with many viewings. A fascinating tale, beautifully constructed and filmed (no mystery why Wyler preferred Gregg Toland) - plus an amazing cast (a shout out to Joel McCrea). I never tire of this one. Well done.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-75689282737511794012012-06-28T06:56:36.720-07:002012-06-28T06:56:36.720-07:00Thank you all for your kind words about my post on...Thank you all for your kind words about my post on "Dead End" and sharing your thoughts on this excellent Wyler film.<br /><br />For those of you who now have it on your "must-see" lists - enjoy!Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-45810570340341342442012-06-27T23:11:44.385-07:002012-06-27T23:11:44.385-07:00I've been wanting to see this film for awhile ...I've been wanting to see this film for awhile and your excellent post is enough to make me bump it to the top of my list. I like Esther Howard too, such a great character actress. And I love all the screencaps you have, they really capture that trapped, claustrophobic atmosphere you describe.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-83228501041524440612012-06-27T14:42:31.772-07:002012-06-27T14:42:31.772-07:00Great post Caftan Woman. Dead End has a gteat ense...Great post Caftan Woman. Dead End has a gteat ensemble cast, and as you point out, the sets were wonderfully done. They sort of have that stage set feel to them, which enhances the film rather than detracts from it. Thanks for your very thorough and enlightening post.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-80441912537625172112012-06-27T11:30:15.684-07:002012-06-27T11:30:15.684-07:00I really like this film and you do it justice. Eve...I really like this film and you do it justice. Even though some complain that Goldwyn wouldn't allow the set to be dirty enough, Wyler once again uses human emotion to convey what's going on so well that you don't need the grime. The intricate set itself, like you mentioned, is a marvel!Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-62486393186935432402012-06-27T09:00:21.430-07:002012-06-27T09:00:21.430-07:00Fabulous overview of a film I know I must have see...Fabulous overview of a film I know I must have seen but simply can't remember. Maybe I'll watch it again.<br />Enjoyed reading your take on it, naturally.<br /><br />What a cast!!Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-64058673833766964962012-06-27T08:26:06.461-07:002012-06-27T08:26:06.461-07:00CW,
Wyler, free of any studio to direct where and...CW, <br />Wyler, free of any studio to direct where and what he wanted was the best thing that ever happen to us, the audience. <br /><br />Whenever I read or hear Bogart referred to as "Babyface" I have to laugh. Yeah right! But anyway, perfect casting in every role. I'm such a big fan of Sylvia Sidney's anyway but I really enjoyed her performance under the direction of Wyler. <br /><br />You've done such a beautiful job here on letting anyone who hasn't had the chance to see this one want to rush out and find it. <br /><br />Shot so cleverly as you've shown with your perfect choice of screen shots and I enjoyed the back story on how Dead End came to be. <br /><br />Some things just seem to fall together so effortlessly like getting to purchase a successful screenplay, get Hellman to adapt it then the icing is Wyler saying yes.<br /><br />A wonderful contribution to the Wyler Blogathon.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-72530172723182908582012-06-26T23:33:24.859-07:002012-06-26T23:33:24.859-07:00Caftan Woman, a post that clearly shows your treme...Caftan Woman, a post that clearly shows your tremendous enthusiasm for this film and the lengths you were willing to go to do it justice. I'm pleased you picked it for your contribution to the Wyler blogathon. I particularly liked the space you devoted to that great set and DP Toland's photography of it. I know that Wyler wanted a more realistic, outdoor setting, but I agree that the wonderfully stylized set is almost hyper-realistic in its effect. <br /><br />One of my favorite things about the movie is Sylvia Sidney. She's one of the great and greatly neglected American actresses of the 1930s. 1937 was a tremendous year for great performances by actresses--one of the two or three best ever, I think--and she gave two dynamite performances that year, here and in Fritz Lang's "You Only Live Once."R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-33373973792983164562012-06-26T19:25:08.193-07:002012-06-26T19:25:08.193-07:00CW, wonderful post about one of my favorite Wyler ...CW, wonderful post about one of my favorite Wyler films and certainly among his most influential. Having just written about DETECTIVE STORY, I now know that Wyler adapted two Sidney Kingsley Broadway plays!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-79483545034955894532012-06-26T19:18:01.460-07:002012-06-26T19:18:01.460-07:00A wonderful post on one of mt favorite Wyler films...A wonderful post on one of mt favorite Wyler films. While the set design was amazing I do wish they could have filmed it in NY. It would have lent a touch of realism to it all. Just my opinion. Toland's cinematography adds a lot and the acting is perfect and Bogart is Bogart, what could be better. Excellent post!John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-7305597471364710812012-06-26T19:17:10.937-07:002012-06-26T19:17:10.937-07:00Great insights, and great writing from you, as us...Great insights, and great writing from you, as usual, on this pivotal film. Wyler and Toland strike again. Kevin's remark above on Wyler's ability to translate plays in such an excellent manner is well taken. I think of "The Heiress" as a fine example of this.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-61304381747010597872012-06-26T18:04:51.111-07:002012-06-26T18:04:51.111-07:00A very thoughtful post on the movie and its intere...A very thoughtful post on the movie and its interesting characters. I've never seen it, but I'm going to watch for it!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-13201757761915200552012-06-26T16:17:44.126-07:002012-06-26T16:17:44.126-07:00Thank you, FlickChick. Sometimes the right people...Thank you, FlickChick. Sometimes the right people come together and do good work, and we benefit.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-63535213687152682572012-06-26T16:12:57.613-07:002012-06-26T16:12:57.613-07:00Very nice post on a great film. Goldwyn and Wyler ...Very nice post on a great film. Goldwyn and Wyler were a dynamic duo - both men of great taste who did not put their personalities on display.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-15869105289149919282012-06-26T15:43:38.339-07:002012-06-26T15:43:38.339-07:00I can do that, Kevin. I can have a "Dead End...I can do that, Kevin. I can have a "Dead End"/"Angels With Dirty Faces" double bill thanks to my combination VHS/DVD player.<br /><br />I love the fact that we can see some of the really great plays in the movies, especially when done in the spirit of appreciation that William Wyler brought to the adaptions.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-68375394023329683262012-06-26T15:41:46.732-07:002012-06-26T15:41:46.732-07:00Isn't it the way, Kim? Bogie may not have enj...Isn't it the way, Kim? Bogie may not have enjoyed the process of working with Wyler and making the film, but he certainly can't argue with the role it played in his career.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-27463618013825102392012-06-26T15:40:46.698-07:002012-06-26T15:40:46.698-07:00Lasso the Movies, I too hope you get to see "...Lasso the Movies, I too hope you get to see "Dead End" soon. It was the first time my daughter ever saw Humphrey Bogart and it made her a fan for life.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331373971294623620.post-3249957693038006352012-06-26T15:39:04.271-07:002012-06-26T15:39:04.271-07:00GrandOldMoves, there is a non-judgmental empathy f...GrandOldMoves, there is a non-judgmental empathy for all of the characters in "Dead End". I think it's a fascinating film full of wonderful performances that gets better in time.<br /><br />Birdie Hicks would NEVER look so untidy!Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com