Classic and James Bond films unite
In a career that spanned almost fifty years, Joan starred in almost every type of Woman's Picture, and played almost every kind of part in the genre, as well as starring in almost every other kind of genre, and playing almost every type of role in those genres, too. But Joan's later films are often… Continue reading What A Dame: Joan’s Four Essential Later Performances
As many of you know, Alan Ladd means a lot to me. He's my favourite classic male film star, and I have spent many happy hours trying to watch as many films of his as possible. I've also started a blog series dedicated to him and have written a number of articles that feature his… Continue reading Announcing The Man Who Would Be Shane: The Alan Ladd Blogathon
Audrey Hepburn had never set out to be Audrey Hepburn. The girl with the perfect smile, the mellifluous voice that spellbound millions. She had never wanted to be an actress. She had wanted to be a ballerina. Her love for ballet was one that was all consuming, she became a courier during WWII for the Dutch Resistance… Continue reading The Girl with the Ethereal Air: The Early Career of Audrey Hepburn
I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know who Michael Caine was. He just seems to have always been an actor who is very much liked in my household. My mother has always adored him. She introduced so many of his films to me, such as Zulu, which we both love because it's… Continue reading Introducing Harry Palmer: Michael Caine in “The Ipcress File” (1965)
The film starts with a visual representation of Edward "Teddy" Bare's (played by Dirk Bogarde) mind. A stark, dark, confusing labyrinth, with the face of a screaming woman. The things in the labyrinth: a stuffed ape, a clown, would be mundane in the sunlight, in the sane world, but in this place they are representations… Continue reading The Chamber: Dirk Bogarde in “Cast a Dark Shadow” (1955)
William Holden was born to play David Larrabee, with his perfectly combed golden hair and that little smile that always bordered on a smirk. He has that whole likeable cad thing, like George Sanders, Basil Rathbone and Richard Widmark down to a tee. He looks louche and sunkissed (even though the film's in black and… Continue reading The Privileged Playboy: William Holden in ‘Sabrina’ (1954)
When I first watched Gaslight (1944), I was blown away by the standard of the performances overall. It is still my favourite Charles Boyer role, and I think that Ingrid Bergman really shows her capacity for exhaustive emotional depth in her portrayal of the beleaguered woman, desperate to not succumb to insanity. But I think that Angela… Continue reading A Penchant for the Master: Angela Lansbury in Gaslight
As many know, Alfred Hitchcock making Psycho was never a sure thing. The studio, and apparently his wife, weren't too keen on the Master of Suspense adapting a novel that people thought was cheap sensationalism. Robert Bloch's book was based on the infamous Ed Gein murders, which had been grisly national news a few years before. Like… Continue reading The Boyish Killer: Anthony Perkins’ Performance in Psycho
Pale Writer 