Whirlpool

Whirlpool. Gene Tierney, one of Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses ever, stars in this 1950 story of a woman secretly suffering from kleptomania who turns to a hypnotist to cure her condition. Soon afterwards she is found at the scene of a murder with no memory of how she got there and no way to prove her innocence. Richard Conte and Jose Ferrer co-star in this film directed by Otto Preminger who had also directed Tierney in the 1944 film noir classic Laura. 98 minutes. CC.

Gene Tierney, who grew up in my home town of Fairfield, CT is a personal favorite. I believe she was a better actress than most critics think. In Laura, The Ghost and Mrs Muir, and Leave Her to Heaven, for which she garnered an Academy Award nomination, she is just right. Director Preminger certainly valued her ability. 

Richard Conte is another personal favorite. One of the first Italian Americans to play a leading man, he usually played ethnic types in supporting roles. In this film he plays a prominent psychoanalyst, as well as the loving husband of all American Tierney. Jose Ferrer also does a great job as a smooth talking, crafty villain. Later in 1950, he appeared in Cyrano de Bergerac and won the Best Actor award. Veteran character actor Charles Bickford gives a fine performance  as a sympathetic police detective. 

I usually don't like to read about the private lives of film stars, but prefer to judge them on their work. Nevertheless, Gene Tierney's autobiography, Self Portrait, in which she frankly discusses her career, troubled family life, and long struggle with mental illness is excellent. Here is a link to a review on The Weekly Bystander. 

Richard Conte and Gene Tierney

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends. Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney star in this 1950 film noir directed by Otto Preminger. A few years earlier the three had collaborated  on the sophisticated screen classic Laura, but now we find them in the underworld. Andrews plays a rogue cop who mistakenly kills a suspect and tries to cover up his mistake.

Preminger's artful direction, the black and white cinematography by Joseph LaShelle, the gritty screenplay by Ben Hecht, and the musical score that features the unforgettable melody "Street Scene" make this the epitome of film noir. 95 minutes.  CC. 

Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

I prefer to watch on DVD with closed captions and features like excellent full commentary by TCM film noir host Eddie Muller, but the film is available for streaming on You Tube. Here is a link to Muller's five minute intro to the film, or see the video below.

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