I have loved the film "Laura" and its theme song for many years. Thanks for your reaction to this wonderful film. FYI - Vincent Price's comment about Gene Tierney's "odd beauty" being "timeless and imperfect" is referring to her famous overbite, which many found endearing. For example, in the episode "House Arrest" of the 1970s American TV series M.A.S.H., which takes place during the Korean War, a group of Army doctors and nurses are watching the film "Leave Her to Heaven" starring Gene Tierney and Cornell Wilde, and the following conversation takes place: "Hawkeye: "What happened?" Henry: "Cornell Wilde just kissed Gene Tierney." Hawkeye: "On the teeth? If he straightens that overbite I'll kill him!" Price may have been referring to the Japanese aesthetic called wabi-sabi which finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi-sabi refers to an awareness of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding pleasure in the things that bear the mark of this impermanence. Vincent Price was an art historian and collector who trained at Yale University and The Courtauld Institute of Art at the University of London. In the late 1950s, Vincent Price and his wife, Mary, donated 90 works from their private collection - then valued at more than $5 million - to East Los Angeles College (ELAC). Price was a champion of the Los Angeles arts scene, and frequently lectured and attended classes as a guest at ELAC, a community college. What started as a modest teaching collection grew into the Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM), which today holds more than 9,000 objects reflecting Price's own collecting interests, including American, African, Native American, Japanese, and European artworks. One quibble that I have with your reaction is that I don't understand why you kept going on about poison possibly being in the whiskey and them not knowing how the victim was killed (at timecodes 21:04, 23:55, 24:01 and 25:45 in the video) when it was established near the beginning of the film (starting at timecode 3:17 in the video) that the victim was killed with a shotgun at close range. When this movie was made, they couldn't explicitly state that the victim was shot in the face with a shotgun, but strongly implied it by the fact that the victim was shot with buckshot at close range, Laura's aunt (Ann Treadwell) collapsed when she saw the body, and Laura's aunt incorrectly identified the body, all of which was established starting at timecode 5:10 in the video. This was critical to the plot since it established that the victim was disfigured by the shotgun blast so that she could not be correctly identified at first, but was presumed to be Laura because of the circumstances and the similarity of Diane Redfern's hair and body to Laura's.
Thank you Penny! I'll most definitely add it for you. It'll be great to see Gene Tierney again! Thank you so much for watching, it's very much appreciated!
@@MoviesWithMarty I notice in a lot of old movies , that in the houses where bad things happen, there are evil looking foreign things on the wall, maybe some of those producers were trying to warn people.
Great reaction to one of the best noir films ever produced. Check out Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven (1945) for which she received an Academy Award nomination. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) is another of her great films. .Also check out Dame Judith Anderson is her most famous role as Mrs. Danvers in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (1940).
Ooh, I didn't know he had been in westerns! Is it something I should check out on the channel? A few people have asked me about some westerns in the past. Thanks for watching! I hope you're well and had a wonderful new year so far
Also, Dana did a bang up job in "The Best Years of Our Lives" One of the best films ever to come out of Hollywood. Not a noir picture, but a profile of three WWII veterans having all kinds of troubles adjusting back to civilian life.
I'm so happy to see someone else react to this classic! I saw it on television in my late teens, and from then on, I was hooked on film noir. The dream-like quality of the film is part of what makes it so memorable. Interestingly, Gene Tierney made five films with Dana Andrews (their last film together is another great noir, Where The Sidewalk Ends), four with Vincent Price, and another film with Clifton Webb, The Razor's Edge. David Raksin was such a talented composer. And that painting! I love it so much I got a photo print of it.
Thank you so much! Yeah, it's an incredible film, so I'm so glad to have seen it. Amazing! I love hearing things like that. I was so taken in years ago with film noir that I have a huge love for it. I've not seen many of the greats, so it's wonderful I can on here. Yes! That dream part threw me when it in fact wasn't at all. I was so enthralled. Oh wow!! I didn't know that, thank you. They all bounce off each other so well. I'll make sure to add those to my list, so I'll be sure to get around to them in time. Thanks for letting me know! It's a huge web of people, so will try my best to figure out which other ones there are. Oh yes, David Raksin was wonderful, his music is so elegant! I wasnt initially ending the video with him playing us out like I did, but as soon as I found out that he had passed and that video was available, I had to have that as the last thing. Yes! The Laura painting is something wonderful that would be great to own and you do own a print copy!! I'm very jealous haha. I may need to get my own now. I have the perfect place for it as well. Thank you so much for watching along with me and sharing your memories and thoughts. It's always wonderful to hear. Take care
@@MoviesWithMarty My copy of the painting is a black and white 8X10, which I purchased off eBAy, if that helps! I'm subscribed to your channel now, so I'm looking to checking out more of your reactions!
Thank you so much Douglas, that means a lot. Also, hello again sir! I love the older films, they just do things so much better. By the way, I've got Sunset Bouelard coming soon, as I watched it last night. Another fantastic film! Shine on! Thanks for watching
Movies With Marty: The character "Waldo Lydecker" was NEVER involved, or had a career, in the Madison Avenue Advertising world of Manhattan, N.Y.C. "Lydecker" is a N.Y.C. based celebrity due to his nationally syndicated newspaper column; he also has a radio program, most likely broadcast coast to coast. That is why "Laura Hunt" seeks his commercial endorsement - with Waldo potentially being paid $5000.00 for doing so - for the advertising account she is working on for the "WALLACE" brand of writing "pen". "It is generally assumed that Lydecker was based on Alexander Woollcott, the theatre critic who wrote 'Shouts and Murmurs' for The New Yorker (magazine) and started the Algonquin Round Table." "Laura" and "Waldo" first meet when she interrupts his lunch while he is dining at the ALGONQUIN HOTEL in midtown Manhattan.
A true classic with great performances. I love how Dana Andrews smirks as Clifton Webb gets out of the bathtub. And yes I was surprised the first time I saw it.
One of my favorite classic films, and I very much enjoyed your reaction! And I always appreciate how you go into the backstory and making of the film in your remarks. Thank you for being open watching and reacting to the classics!
One of my favorites since I was a teen. Glad you enjoyed it. Gene was stunning and gave a nuanced performance. Loved Clifton, Dana, Vincent and Judith, and the great dualogue, music, direction and cinematography. One point you didn't memtion was after Laura's return - the audience wonders who was the intended victim? You were wrong on one point - the murder was not done by poison.
Aw, thank you so much Mara! It's a superb classic, isn't it? Who did you pin as the culprit when you saw it for the first time? Thank you for watching :)
Back in the 60's our head football coach would be a substitute in the off season. His classroom was the auditorium & he'd usually show films instead of classwork. Every few months he'd play "Laura" on the old time projectors. I suspect Coach Swan had a thing for Gene lol. A few times he showed real footage of the nazi death camps when they were liberated. That sent my 14 year old brain in a whole new direction....
Hey Marty, I'm new to your channel. I am enjoying your reactions to some old favorites. I think you would very much enjoy the film Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth.
I really like your reactions please keep up the good work. I would like to suggest your next Noir film Gilda, Rita Hayworth as the title. Trivia fact, Fred Astaire claimed thar the best female dancimg partner he evee danced with wasn't Ginger Rogers, but Rita.
A great film noir and a role that helped put Gene Tierney on the map. I highly recommend Leave Her to Heaven which she did the following year and earned her an academy award nomination. Other films worth checking out are The Ghost and Mrs Muir, Whirlpool and Where the Sidewalk Ends. Gene was a very beautiful woman who unfortunately battled with mental illness. Clifton Webb was a master at playing cynical characters. It's fun to watch Vincent Price in his younger years before he became the master of the macabre. Nice reaction.
I just want to say I love your setup! It looks so cozy. I love the nice chair and the suit and tie and the black and white. Keep it up! I know not everyone likes older movies but those that do are super loyal’
If you want to see an example of Vincent Price's singing, he plays the bad baronet in a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore. You can do a search of RU-vid typing in his name and "Ruddigore" in the search bar. (I admit, not one of the best productions of this operetta.) One notable song was the famous patter song, which certainly taxes a singer's diction: "Ruddigore 45 So it really doesnt matter"
Otto Preminger (soft g sound like ginger) was a larger than life character who directed many films. He had an affair with Gypsy Rose Lee the famous stripper and fathered a son with her. Lee went public with her son’s paternity and Otto embraced Erik (who looks exactly like him.) out of wedlock births were scandalous back then. (See Loretta Young and Clark Gable.) I really enjoy your reactions. Casablanca and The Apartment. 👍🏻
Thank you so much for the information Holly! Wow, I can definitely see that being scandalous back then! Although now that would be accepted, yeah it would cause havoc back then. I did not know that about Young and Gable, thank you! Massively appreciated with the name too. I had been wondering haha! Aww, thank you!! I'm so glad you like them. Also, if you mean for me to watch Casablanca, I've done that one if you would like to check it out 🤗 I'll certainly add The Apartment to the list though! Thank you for watching
Enjoyed your reaction as always ! In terms of your observation that all actresses from these older movies appear gorgeous, I think that because they are so feminine.
I watched this for the first time recently as well and I was blown away by it. It is a classic "whodunit" Noir and the plot twist in the middle was something I wasn't expecting and I think Otto Preminger wants the audience to think that McPherson is dreaming that he is seeing Laura after falling in love with the portrait. I also love Gene Tierney and to be fair it's hard not to love her. Not only is her performance incredible in this but her beauty is as well. Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb and Vincent Price also all gave excellent performances. Definately in my top 5 for Film Noir. I would also recommend The Big Sleep (1946) and The Maltese Falcon (1941) both starring Humphrey Bogart as Private Detectives.
Hello Marty, I loved your trivia section at the end. Sometimes the back stories to movies are as intriguing as the movie itself (sometimes more). Also with all the intrigue and politics behind the scenes, it’s a miracle the movie gets made at all. I really appreciate all the care you take with your reactions. It sets you apart.
Hi JTT, thank you so much, that means a lot to me. The process of the filmmaking and behind the scenes details for me is as much part of the enjoyment and makes me love them all the more, so I always love delving into it all after. It's wonderful too as I get to experience it raw at first, not knowing what to expect. Yeah, sometimes their background IS incredibly intriguing! I think that too with some films as to how on earth they got around to being made with all the heated arguments or other trouble off camera. Thank you though, I'm so glad you love it and so do I! It's lovely to know it sets me apart too. Thank you so much for watching!
Hey Marty, if you're into old movies like this, why not watch your namesake move "Marty" from 1955 staring Ernest Borgnine? Won the Oscar for Best Picture that year....
Hi Scoots, great news! I'm bringing "Marty" to the channel tomorrow! I finally got around to seeing it, so thank you for recommending it. I LOVED it! I just wanted to let you know, as I remembered seeing your comment a while back and meant to reply to it then. Apologies it took a while to reply. I hope you're well though and thank you for watching
Thank you for this reaction! Gene Tierney is my favorite actress. A delightful comedy you should check out is That Wonderful Urge, with Tyrone Power. New subscriber. 😊
Ann was played by stage legend Judith Anderson, who became famous for bringing "Medea" to life on Broadway. You can also see her as the chilling Mrs. Danvers in "Rebecca", which I definitely recommend. The theme, "Laura" has lyrics: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3Yzgqclyvx0.html. Clifton Webb is so good here; he plays variations of Lydecker, some more benign, some less, though, I think, not any of them with his fate here. He also played one of my father's favorite characters, a denigrating genius of a babysitter, Mr. Belvedere, in a series of movies beginning with "Sitting Pretty" (yes, there was a tv series decades later featuring this character). He had been a dancer and something of a sex object when he was a younger man; and there's a terrific song featured in "It's Always Fair Weather", sung by the great Delores Gray, where she winds up by singing she had a guy "who's Marlon Brando and Clifton Webb combined": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uB-HW5-9nGE.html
It was really enjoyable watching you engage with this wonderful movie. I think you'd really appreciate Tierney in "Leave Her to Heaven" as well. Talk about creepy!
The film and titular character partially inspired "Twin Peak's" Laura Palmer as well as Hitchcock's "Vertigo." Interesting coincidence that "Twin Peaks," "Vertigo," and "Laura" have three of the finest film musical scores.
46:43 He's put her on a pedestal. He won't let her come down to be one of ordinary women arm in arm with an ordinary man. Doesn't matter if that's what she wants
Every detective show/ long time series has their "Laura" episode (detective falls in love with murdered victim). That's why it feels so familiar, but this was the first!
What a treat! Thanks for sharing your reaction to one of my favorite films! I love this cast so much and the dialogue is so deliciously witty and sardonic. But also sad and romantic. Your poison-suspecting tangents were fun as well. 😗🙂
I LOVE this film. I second everything you say. the acting is first-rate. the script is excellent. the characters are interesting. the score. the direction. it all works beautifully together. it is a great old-time Hollywood movie. LAURA does everything I want a film to do. it takes me away. it keeps me on my toes. it surprises me. I never knew what the next move would be. I find it both romantic, and nostalgic when I watch. I love the sexy and gentle love story that gene tirney and dana andrews play out in this film. LAURA reminds me of a dear old friend passed away about a year and half ago. This friend introduced me to this film, and many other older glorious films. He also taught me about different styles of acting. Several of those styles are in this film. I miss him always. but I have been especially missing him over these past few weeks. Marty--you must watch ALL ABOUT EVE and SUNSET BOULEVARD asap. like really asap!!!! you will adore both films. they both came out the same real. and watercrrss.there are things in both films that will knock you out. and talk about great acting and great scripts!!! wowie wow! I love your channel! thanks for posting!!!
"Out of the Past", "Double Indemnity", "Farewell, My Lovely." These are worth a look. Here's a fact: Director Otto Preminger was a holy terror when it came to actors.
"They are not allowed to go along with the detective." I don't think so - what do I know? - but they wouldn't have a story sometimes if they didn't break the rules as needed.
Waldo isn't in advertising at any point: he's a celebrity journalist and broadcaster and Laura wants him to endorse the product so that she, as a working in advertising, can get a leg up in her company.
Movie was based on a book of the same name, which I've never read, but I suspect had the time to really flesh out the detective's obsession with the painting. I think the movie is excellent but one thing that annoys me is that it is part of this long pattern in Hollywood productions where people fall in love almost immediately upon meeting. Led to a lot of heart-aches in an era of strong taboos against divorce, when ordinary people came to think this was the norm and put it in practice. Here, it isn't Laura herself but her image in oil, which if you think about it, is sort of creepy. But at least we now know where Waldo was.
