list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Mildred Pierce on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Mildred_Pierce/22704/default.aspx Title: Mildred Pierce
Year: 1945
Director: Michael Curtiz
Plot: Joan Crawford won an Academy Award for her bravura portrayal of the titular heroine in Mildred Pierce. The original James M. Cain novel concerned a tawdry waitress who slept her way to financial security so as to provide a rosy future for her beloved daughter, only to be rewarded by having her true love stolen away by that same daughter. Ranald McDougall's screenplay tones down the novel's sexual content, enhancing its film noir value by adding a sordid murder. The film opens with oily lounge lizard Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott) being pumped full of bullets. Croaking out the name "Mildred", he collapses and dies. Both the police and the audience are led to believe that the murderer is chain-restaurant entrepreneur Mildred Pierce (Crawford), who takes the time to relate her life story. As the flashback begins, we see Mildred unhappily married to philandering Bert Pierce (Bruce Bennett). She divorces him, keeping custody of her two beloved daughters, Veda (Ann Blyth) and Kay (Jo Anne Marlowe). To keep oldest daughter Veda in comparative luxury, Mildred takes a series of jobs, culminating with a waitressing position. With the help of her wisecracking coworker Ida (Eve Arden), Mildred turns the restaurant into a genuine moneyspinner. With the help of slimy real estate agent Wally Fay (Jack Carson), she buys her own establishment, which grows into a chain of "Mildred Pierce's" throughout Southern California. Meanwhile, Mildred smothers Veda in affection and creature comforts. She goes so far as to enter into a loveless marriage with the wealthy Monty Beragon in order to improve her social standing; Beragon repays the favor by living the life of a layabout playboy, much to Mildred's dismay -- and possible financial ruin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 40
Number of Lists: 15
Number of blog posts: 2
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:32:18 GMTMildred Pierce1945Michael Curtiz<a href="/players/P____15681/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Joan Crawford</a> won an Academy Award for her bravura portrayal of the titular heroine in Mildred Pierce. The original James M. Cain novel concerned a tawdry waitress who slept her way to financial security so as to provide a rosy future for her beloved daughter, only to be rewarded by having her true love stolen away by that same daughter. Ranald McDougall's screenplay tones down the novel's sexual content, enhancing its film noir value by adding a sordid murder. The film opens with oily lounge lizard Monte Beragon (<a href="/players/P____64151/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Zachary Scott</a>) being pumped full of bullets. Croaking out the name "Mildred", he collapses and dies. Both the police and the audience are led to believe that the murderer is chain-restaurant entrepreneur Mildred Pierce (Crawford), who takes the time to relate her life story. As the flashback begins, we see Mildred unhappily married to philandering Bert Pierce (Bruce Bennett). She divorces him, keeping custody of her two beloved daughters, Veda (<a href="/players/P_____6922/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ann Blyth</a>) and Kay (Jo Anne Marlowe). To keep oldest daughter Veda in comparative luxury, Mildred takes a series of jobs, culminating with a waitressing position. With the help of her wisecracking coworker Ida (<a href="/players/P_____2128/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Eve Arden</a>), Mildred turns the restaurant into a genuine moneyspinner. With the help of slimy real estate agent Wally Fay (<a href="/players/P____11363/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Jack Carson</a>), she buys her own establishment, which grows into a chain of "Mildred Pierce's" throughout Southern California. Meanwhile, Mildred smothers Veda in affection and creature comforts. She goes so far as to enter into a loveless marriage with the wealthy Monty Beragon in order to improve her social standing; Beragon repays the favor by living the life of a layabout playboy, much to Mildred's dismay -- and possible financial ruin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide40Tag Target (>10)15213http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t61930vjstg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Mildred_Pierce/22704/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/dibot/archive/2008/6/26/31740.aspx Post By: dibot
Post To: dibot Blog
Post Date: 6/26/2008 2:11:40 PM
Body: Never Cry Werewolf is a Sci-Fi Channel original movie, so, my expectations were fairly low. And then, I was pleasantly surprised. A mysterious man, who looks like a creepy-child-molesting version of Hugh Jackman, moves into a new house and attracts the attention of the two kids next door. The oldest, a teen-age girl, finds herself having some inappropriate dreams about the new comer and then notices that women keep disappearing into his house. Cheesy effects, but an alright story. Terrible werewolf transformations. But then Hercules (Kevin Sorbo, "Meet the Spartans") pops in with some comic relief.I caught Beneath Still Waters late one night on Sci-Fi. From director Brian Yuzna ("Rottweiler"), it's got some cheesy acting, but a really interesting story. The plot involves a town being flooded for the building of a dam, demons and scary zombie-type creatures. I thought it was really creepy and fun.Sabrina, the original (hopefully, everyone's forgotten the remake by now), is bot comic and tragic. Audrey Hepburn ("Always") is difficult to make unnoticeable, but director Billy Wilder ("Buddy Buddy ") and costumer Edith Head ("The Last Married Couple in America") do an excellent job. Hepburn plays the daughter of a chauffeur and is hopelessly in love the boss' playboy younger son. After a stint in Paris, she comes back glamorous and catches the eye of both the young playboy and his older brother, a Mr. Humphrey Bogart ("the Harder They Fall"). Hijinks and heartaches ensue. I loved it. The costumes, the brooding of Bogie. All of it.Torn Curtain, an Alfred Hitchcock ("Family Plot") staring Paul Newman ("Cars") and Julie Andrews ("Enchanted"). Newman is a scientist who has seemingly defected fro the US to East Germany during the Cold War because he lost his funding. He tries to live his fiancee/assistant, Andrews, behind before he enters Germany, but she follows him. I found this to be very suspenseful, and, of course, well made. But not Hitch's best.Mildred Pierce is a fabulous noir with Joan Crawford ("Journey to Murder") doing everything she can to make her spoiled daughter happy. It, of course, ends in tragedy, but not before Crawford does some fine acting and we're gripped to our seats wondering how this murder really played out. And who's going down for it.
]]>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:11:40 GMTdibotdibot Blog6/26/2008 2:11:40 PMNever Cry Werewolf is a Sci-Fi Channel original movie, so, my expectations were fairly low. And then, I was pleasantly surprised. A mysterious man, who looks like a creepy-child-molesting version of Hugh Jackman, moves into a new house and attracts the attention of the two kids next door. The oldest, a teen-age girl, finds herself having some inappropriate dreams about the new comer and then notices that women keep disappearing into his house. Cheesy effects, but an alright story. Terrible werewolf transformations. But then Hercules (Kevin Sorbo, "Meet the Spartans") pops in with some comic relief.I caught Beneath Still Waters late one night on Sci-Fi. From director Brian Yuzna ("Rottweiler"), it's got some cheesy acting, but a really interesting story. The plot involves a town being flooded for the building of a dam, demons and scary zombie-type creatures. I thought it was really creepy and fun.Sabrina, the original (hopefully, everyone's forgotten the remake by now), is bot comic and tragic. Audrey Hepburn ("Always") is difficult to make unnoticeable, but director Billy Wilder ("Buddy Buddy ") and costumer Edith Head ("The Last Married Couple in America") do an excellent job. Hepburn plays the daughter of a chauffeur and is hopelessly in love the boss' playboy younger son. After a stint in Paris, she comes back glamorous and catches the eye of both the young playboy and his older brother, a Mr. Humphrey Bogart ("the Harder They Fall"). Hijinks and heartaches ensue. I loved it. The costumes, the brooding of Bogie. All of it.Torn Curtain, an Alfred Hitchcock ("Family Plot") staring Paul Newman ("Cars") and Julie Andrews ("Enchanted"). Newman is a scientist who has seemingly defected fro the US to East Germany during the Cold War because he lost his funding. He tries to live his fiancee/assistant, Andrews, behind before he enters Germany, but she follows him. I found this to be very suspenseful, and, of course, well made. But not Hitch's best.Mildred Pierce is a fabulous noir with Joan Crawford ("Journey to Murder") doing everything she can to make her spoiled daughter happy. It, of course, ends in tragedy, but not before Crawford does some fine acting and we're gripped to our seats wondering how this murder really played out. And who's going down for it. http://www.spout.com/blogs/hairylime/archive/2007/8/4/17254.aspx Post By: HairyLime
Post To: HairyLime Blog
Post Date: 8/4/2007 11:31:00 AM
Body: I have a soft spot for old cheesy Joan Crawford movies. Poor Joan, always the long suffering martyr for love and family values, always over the top with the most laugh out loud dialog in all her movies, but you can't help but love her sincerity. In films like Mildred Pierce, or Sudden Fear she's had to deal with murderous ungrateful daughters and homicidal husbands, and in this one plays a lonely workaholic spinster who falls for an unbalanced young man (who of course doesn't show any signs of his mental condition until she's married him) and then a previous wife and concerned father who aren't what they seem to be pop out of the closet and things really come to a head. Fine scenery chewing performances from Joan, from Cliff Robertson as the unbalanced loony of a husband (who just needs 6 months of psychiatric care and a few shock treatments to put him right!), and supporting work from Lorne Greene and Vera Miles. I've always been fascinated with Joan, she's not conventionally pretty, in fact she frequently looks as if she were a man in drag, with those chiselled features, heavy eyebrows and gobs of makeup who is frequently softened thanks to a talented lighting technician who always manages to hide her wrinkly 'old lady neck' in shadow, no matter which part of the room she stands in. Good cheesy fun, not to be missed.
]]>Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:31:00 GMTHairyLimeHairyLime Blog8/4/2007 11:31:00 AMI have a soft spot for old cheesy Joan Crawford movies. Poor Joan, always the long suffering martyr for love and family values, always over the top with the most laugh out loud dialog in all her movies, but you can&#39;t help but love her sincerity. In films like Mildred Pierce, or Sudden Fear she&#39;s had to deal with murderous ungrateful daughters and homicidal husbands, and in this one plays a lonely workaholic spinster who falls for an unbalanced young man (who of course doesn&#39;t show any signs of his mental condition until she&#39;s married him) and then a previous wife and concerned father who aren&#39;t what they seem to be pop out of the closet and things really come to a head. Fine scenery chewing performances from Joan, from Cliff Robertson as the unbalanced loony of a husband (who just needs 6 months of psychiatric care and a few shock treatments to put him right!), and supporting work from Lorne Greene and Vera Miles. I&#39;ve always been fascinated with Joan, she&#39;s not conventionally pretty, in fact she frequently looks as if she were a man in drag, with those chiselled features, heavy eyebrows and gobs of makeup who is frequently softened thanks to a talented lighting technician who always manages to hide her wrinkly &#39;old lady neck&#39; in shadow, no matter which part of the room she stands in. Good cheesy fun, not to be missed. http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Actresses_in_Classic_Film_Noir/190/9119/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Jymkata
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 5/21/2007 6:34:35 PM
Body: Wow, great topic, since the women really make film noir sexy and mysterious 1. I loooove Gloria Grahame in everything so I guess I have to cheat and say that I would put three of her noir performances in a tie- tough and sexy Debby Marsh in The Big Heat, scheming Irene Neves in Sudden Fear, and complicated Laurel Grey in In a Lonely Place2. I think Joan Crawford gets a bad rap because of her personal life, but I think she makes every movie she's in better. I'm going to cheat again and list two favorites, as Myra Hudson in Sudden Fear and as the indomitable Mildred Pierce3. I agree with you Jim that Jane Greer's entrance in Out of the Past is one of the most memorable, maybe only rivaled by Lana Turner's in The Postman Always Rings Twice. Jane's performance makes that movie all the more mysterious and menacing. 4. Gene Tierney is a great noir actress as well. She is the haunting prescence in one of my all-time favs., Laura and she's great in the noirs Whirlpool and Where The Sidewalk Ends as well as the noirish Leave her to Heaven, 5. If you are talking about single performances it would be hard to beat the portrayal of a vicious femme fatale that Ann Savage gives in Detour. You don't root for Vera and she isn't glamorous, but she catches Tom Neal in her web and leads him to his destruction. Maybe Peggy Cummings in Gun Crazy comes close. Lauren Bacall in Dark Passage and Key Largo, Veronica Lake in This Gun for Hire, Joan Bennett in Woman in the Window, and Barbra Stanwyck in Double Indemnity are my alternates.
]]>Mon, 21 May 2007 22:34:35 GMTJymkataTop 55/21/2007 6:34:35 PMWow, great topic, since the women really make film noir sexy and mysterious 1. I loooove Gloria Grahame in everything so I guess I have to cheat and say that I would put three of her noir performances in a tie- tough and sexy Debby Marsh in The Big Heat, scheming Irene Neves in Sudden Fear, and complicated Laurel Grey in In a Lonely Place2. I think Joan Crawford gets a bad rap because of her personal life, but I think she makes every movie she&#39;s in better. I&#39;m going to cheat again and list two favorites, as Myra Hudson in Sudden Fear and as the indomitable Mildred Pierce3. I agree with you Jim that Jane Greer&#39;s entrance in Out of the Past is one of the most memorable, maybe only rivaled by Lana Turner&#39;s in The Postman Always Rings Twice. Jane&#39;s performance makes that movie all the more mysterious and menacing. 4. Gene Tierney is a great noir actress as well. She is the haunting prescence in one of my all-time favs., Laura and she&#39;s great in the noirs Whirlpool and Where The Sidewalk Ends as well as the noirish Leave her to Heaven, 5. If you are talking about single performances it would be hard to beat the portrayal of a vicious femme fatale that Ann Savage gives in Detour. You don&#39;t root for Vera and she isn&#39;t glamorous, but she catches Tom Neal in her web and leads him to his destruction. Maybe Peggy Cummings in Gun Crazy comes close. Lauren Bacall in Dark Passage and Key Largo, Veronica Lake in This Gun for Hire, Joan Bennett in Woman in the Window, and Barbra Stanwyck in Double Indemnity are my alternates. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspxlove
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