Sunday, October 09, 2005
Humoresque - The Joan Crawford Collection
- Who's watched: M & G
- Mentions: None
- Commentary: This came as one of five in a Joan Crawford Collection (Click the part of the title that says "The Joan Crawford Collection" for a different summary and review). Both of us were surprised at the drama and melodrama. I enjoyed Joan Crawford's performance. It was much more vulnerable that I expected. As usual, Mom and I loved the clothes of the period. Mom hasn't seen the movie all the way through but has seen all of it in fits and starts.
I'm beginning to think that this collection, alone, has turned me into a staunch Joan Crawford fan! This movie is one of the most rapturous and elegant she did that I've seen. John Garfield's performance is stellar. The inclusion of Oscar Levant as the deadly comical Sid Jeffers is perfect for alleviating what could have been a smothering disaster. Instead, this film is quite blatant in its description of the patron and the artist on all counts. I think the lesson of the movie is that patrons simply cannot expect the same devotion from their artists as they give to their artists. My guess is that this is a lesson that continues to be played over and over in the art world, which means this movie, which has already stood the test of time, despite, or, perhaps because of, being pilloried, the object of satire and misunderstood will remain a spectacular referent of a potent object lesson for years to come. And, the music! Oscar Levant and Isaac Stern! Who couldn't love this combination?
For DVD Savant's review of this movie, click down the page connected to the second link in the title, up there, and you'll find his review as the first of three Joan Crawford movies reviewed on that page. TCM also has an informative write-up about the movie that you can access by clicking on the first link in the title above.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Joan Crawford Helen Wright John Garfield Paul Boray Robert Blake Paul Boray child Tommy Cook Paul Boray child J. Carrol Naish Papa Rudy Boray Ruth Nelson Mama Esther Boray Peggy Knudsen Florence Boray Tom D'Andrea Phil Boray Joan Chandler Gina Oscar Levant Sid Jeffers Richard Gaines Bauer John Abbott Conductor Bauer
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1946
Directed by Jean Negulesco.
Labels: dramaA, film-noir2, joan-crawford, melodramaD, romance3
