tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post6855617655782499627..comments2023-05-21T03:16:13.000-07:00Comments on Down These Mean Streets: Black Angel (1946)Margot Shelbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-42787452065097423172021-01-03T22:05:49.131-08:002021-01-03T22:05:49.131-08:00Hi Frank, thanks for the kind works. Nice to know ...Hi Frank, thanks for the kind works. Nice to know someone else from Colin's site popped over to mine.<br /><br />I thought too Duryea was fantastic as the alcoholic. His portray is never really acknowledged much. I must confess I had never heard of John Berryman. But after looking him up, I have to say his poetry fits perfectly.<br /><br />I hope now in the new year I'll get back to writing. It doesn't come easily to me, but I'll pull myself together soon, I hope. :)<br />I'm glad you like my blog.<br /><br />Margot (I'm traveling right now and my laptop always gives me trouble signing into my own blog(<br /><br /><br /><br />Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03001368662295405960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-61495715018289410482021-01-03T08:25:20.247-08:002021-01-03T08:25:20.247-08:00I thought your write-up on Dan Duryea was superb. ...I thought your write-up on Dan Duryea was superb. I look forward to reading more of your reviews.<br /><br />I just watched "Black Angel". Beyond it’s noir qualities, it's a good film that takes a devastating look at alcoholism. Alcoholic blackouts are real. This is from John Berryman's Dream Song 29:<br /><br />But never did Henry, as he thought he did,<br />end anyone and hacks her body up<br />and hide the pieces, where they may be found.<br />He knows: he went over everyone, & nobody’s missing. <br />Often he reckons, in the dawn, them up.<br />Nobody is ever missing.<br /><br />The novelist Saul Bellow once asked Berryman whether he had pushed a woman down a flight of stairs while he was in the Village. <br /><br />“Whom”<br />“Beautiful Catherine, the big girl I introduced you to<br />“Did I do that? I wonder why?”<br />“Because she wouldn’t let you into her apartment”<br />He took a polite interest in this information. He said, “That I was in the city at all is news to me.”<br /><br />Unfortunately, the alcoholic Berryman took his own life at age 57. <br /><br />I see that you haven't reviewed a film in a while. I hope that you haven't stopped writing about film noir. You have a great site!<br />Frank Gibbonsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-53816682648070486282019-03-07T10:36:34.623-08:002019-03-07T10:36:34.623-08:00Thanks for the compliment. :)
There are still so ...Thanks for the compliment. :)<br /><br />There are still so many movies I haven't seen yet and there seem to be more and more. At the moment I'm trying to catch up on pre-codes. Black Angel is worth a watch.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-70196674440986489002019-03-07T04:27:43.537-08:002019-03-07T04:27:43.537-08:00This made my day: "the trifecta of contempt: ...This made my day: "the trifecta of contempt: sneering, smirking and sniveling." Beautifully written, as always.<br /><br />I have to confess I've never even heard of this film (and I call myself a classic movie blogger – sheesh!), but I'm eager to see it now. Fabulous clothes and Dan Duryea? I'm in!<br /><br />Also, I just wanted to say you have a great site. Your analysis is thoughtful and thorough, and you have an engaging writing style.Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-41364533654563646462019-02-26T08:30:05.136-08:002019-02-26T08:30:05.136-08:00It's definitively worth a look.It's definitively worth a look.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-25083502113467220092019-02-26T08:29:28.614-08:002019-02-26T08:29:28.614-08:00Hi Walter, about the title, I thought that middle-...Hi Walter, about the title, I thought that middle-aged weasel just doesn't flow so well.<br /><br />I too like that they didn't try to "pretty up" the alcoholism. About Cathy, to me I never had the feeling that she was in any real danger. There was something missing.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-7001678546504679672019-02-26T06:51:51.748-08:002019-02-26T06:51:51.748-08:00Excellent review. You've really got me interes...Excellent review. You've really got me interested in wanting to see this one. I agree with you about Dan, he is so good when he is playing a mean dude. Maddyhttp://maddylovesherclassicfilms.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-6710919826473818832019-02-25T15:38:19.831-08:002019-02-25T15:38:19.831-08:00Thanks. :)Thanks. :)Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-30613209092508087282019-02-25T14:20:42.159-08:002019-02-25T14:20:42.159-08:00Margot, you have written a very fine tribute to Da...Margot, you have written a very fine tribute to Dan Duryea, which I so enjoyed reading and then thinking about. I rather liked your title of this write-up. Also, I'm glad that you think 39-years-old is still young. Dan was that age at the time of BLACK ANGEL. I like this movie and its really top notch cast.<br /><br /><br />Dan Duryea doesn't portray a happy drunk, but rather he lives the ravages of alcoholism. It isn't a pretty sight and Martin Blair is a dangerous drunkard, both to himself and others. I liked the way that Paul Ivano, director of photography, and his camera crew shot the drunken sequence. We see the world as the drunkard Martin Blair sees it, as a shaky, trembling, meandering vision until he blacks out. Hands down I really like Dan Duryea, whether he is good, bad, or a somewhat weak hero in the middle.<br /><br /><br />I thought the part of Catherine Bennett was a good role for June Vincent and she actually gets to sing two songs. I agree that she doesn't have much leeway with her character, but she does bring forth some tension, when it is apparent that she and Martin would be a better couple, rather than with her straying husband. Also, the look on her face when it looks like she might have to give her body to shady Mr. Marko(Peter Lorre) to save her husband. <br /><br /><br />P.S. If you are having trouble posting on other sites, try using Bing as a search engine, instead of Google. <br />Walter S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02507750468123235383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-34912815509842337982019-02-25T08:13:45.713-08:002019-02-25T08:13:45.713-08:00Another great review, thanks.Another great review, thanks.cigar joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10247683034889027958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-90921209494784495502019-02-22T08:12:51.168-08:002019-02-22T08:12:51.168-08:00I thought it was appropriate. :) I thought it was appropriate. :) Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-12681886978668123872019-02-22T08:11:59.527-08:002019-02-22T08:11:59.527-08:00The Underworld Story is fantastic. I love that mov...The Underworld Story is fantastic. I love that movie and it's probably my favorite Duryea role. I have an ancient review of it that I should dig up and revamp.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-18881166186527604442019-02-22T06:02:32.325-08:002019-02-22T06:02:32.325-08:00PS: I forgot to mention what a kick I got out of y...PS: I forgot to mention what a kick I got out of your title for this article.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-90931009398613182782019-02-22T00:58:33.210-08:002019-02-22T00:58:33.210-08:00I probably share that preference and acknowledge h...I probably share that preference and acknowledge how well he did his villainous roles. Have you seen Cy Endfield's very classy The Underworld Story, by the way? Duryea plays an even more heroic role in that one, and quite a different one. Colinhttp://livius1.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-8270007393342638902019-02-21T20:31:59.763-08:002019-02-21T20:31:59.763-08:00Yes, Duryea was a very versatile actor and it'...Yes, Duryea was a very versatile actor and it's understandable he didn't always want to play the heel. They're just my personal favorite.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-60681123506143418062019-02-21T12:45:40.763-08:002019-02-21T12:45:40.763-08:00I like this film - I wrote about it myself some ye...I like this film - I wrote about it myself some years ago - not in as much depth as you did here though - and really enjoyed the change of pace for Duryea. I think it worked well for him and showed how versatile he was - playing a heel all the time, even a charismatic one, can end up feeling one dimensional and Duryea certainly had more going for him than that. <br /><br />I also like Neill, those Sherlock Holmes vehicles he did were a lot of fun and a number of them were actually quite superb. It's a shame he passed away so early.Colinhttp://livius1.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-36595985031066124992019-02-18T13:56:54.601-08:002019-02-18T13:56:54.601-08:00I like that, the perspiration. Though I think Dowl...I like that, the perspiration. Though I think Dowling has Vincent beat in that department.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-90325987572957839772019-02-18T13:53:05.878-08:002019-02-18T13:53:05.878-08:00It is a star vehicle and Duryea is that star. They...It is a star vehicle and Duryea is that star. They don't want to take anything on screen away from him, but they need someone hot in a low keyed sort of way. Dan provides the action, June the inspiration and more than t hat, the perspiration.barrylanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507827607600595861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-25724506875397346402019-02-18T13:48:09.617-08:002019-02-18T13:48:09.617-08:00Don't quite agree. Both Ava and Yvonne are abs...Don't quite agree. Both Ava and Yvonne are absolute favorites. A bit more ambiguousness would have served Vincent better.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-46235368428384163012019-02-18T13:43:54.102-08:002019-02-18T13:43:54.102-08:00Well yes, but did they have to have her play it so...Well yes, but did they have to have her play it so virtuous?Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-58171513371470355182019-02-18T13:42:40.394-08:002019-02-18T13:42:40.394-08:00Elegant and dangerous, but lowered keyed than Ava ...Elegant and dangerous, but lowered keyed than Ava Gardner, more polished than Yvonne DeCarlo.barrylanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507827607600595861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-34623818872709762712019-02-18T13:31:06.962-08:002019-02-18T13:31:06.962-08:00Nice quote about Duryea. Off screen apparently he ...Nice quote about Duryea. Off screen apparently he was the mildest of men.<br />The cinematography of the movie is really nice, especially the opening tracking shot. Helps a lot. Another haunting book ending is I Married a Dead Man, filmed as No Man of Her Own. The book ending is just so sad.<br /><br />I haven't seen Kathy O'. I'll go right over and read you article.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-65939102113850948962019-02-18T13:20:05.387-08:002019-02-18T13:20:05.387-08:00I saw Larceny once on YouTube, unfortunately it wa...I saw Larceny once on YouTube, unfortunately it was a bad copy. I liked it, would love to see it again if it ever gets a cleanup. Silver Lode is really good, three Noir actors in one Western.Margot Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580855468061590981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-15301730324253100932019-02-18T11:28:29.518-08:002019-02-18T11:28:29.518-08:00Without June Vincent, there's no picture.Without June Vincent, there's no picture.barrylanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09507827607600595861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4797087968104121636.post-74262769380209763122019-02-18T11:23:39.267-08:002019-02-18T11:23:39.267-08:00I love The Leonard Maltin Movie Encyclopedia descr...I love The Leonard Maltin Movie Encyclopedia description of Dan Duryea: "On-screen, Duryea exhibited every human weakness: He was mean-spirited, cowardly, selfish, weak - and yet, somehow, strangely compelling if not totally endearing." <br /><br />The last line of the novel The Black Angel haunts me. That the film couldn't go there, I understood, and being a fan of Roy William Neill, I cut it a lot more slack than I probably should. I like the look of it, and the hints of the "feel" that they must skirt around. One casting change, a more compelling Kirk, would have helped immensely.<br /><br />I adore my mean-spirited Duryea, but I also liked him as a normal guy in Kathy O'. A must-see at Christmastime, Duryea with a wife and family, and an ex-wife and work problems is a lot of fun. Check it out. https://www.caftanwoman.com/2016/12/merry-christmas-kathy-o-1958-jack-shers.htmlCaftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.com