Female on the Beach (4 stars)

Female on the Beach is a suspenseful romantic drama from 1955.  Starring Joan Crawford and Jeff Chandler, with Jan Sterling, Cecil Kellaway, Charles Drake, and Natalie Schafer taking on supporting roles, this is a film which will leave you guessing until the final two minutes.  This is one of those movies I caught for the first time during my Joan Crawford viewing month, and I enjoyed it so much, that it immediately made my list of five favorite Joan Crawford films.

In a fancy oceanfront apartment, a sobbing woman screams to the man with her that she will go to the police.  Shortly after making that threat, the woman steps onto the balcony---the man not far behind her---and within minutes has fallen to her death...or was she pushed?

The following morning, Lynn Markham (Joan Crawford) takes up residence in the beach house.  A possession of her wealthy late husband, the house had been leased out, but with Lynn wanting to occupy the home, the previous tenant moved out the night before...or so Lynn's realtor, (Jan Sterling), tells her.  She discovers later, when a detective (Charles Drake) comes around, that the tenant had died the previous night and that they're not sure whether it was an accident...or murder.

Lynn learns that a man named Drummond "Drummie" Hall (Jeff Chandler)  has been keeping his boat tied at the dock of her apartment, a practice Lynn has no intention of continuing to allow.  Drummie, a gigolo-type who was involved with the previous tenant, has been encouraged by his "keepers" to put the moves on the wealthy Mrs. Markham; therefore, refusing to allow himself to be so easily dismissed, he continues to hang around, and although his relationship with Lynn begins with animosity and anger, before long, they have fallen into a rather passionate affair.

Drummie's plan with Lynn---as it was with the previous tenant, Eloise---is to woo the widow, marry her, then get rid of her and help himself to her wealth.   At least that was his original intent...what he didn't count on was falling in love with the woman.   Suddenly, not wanting to scam her, he decides to leave his gigolo ways behind him and live an honest, upstanding life.  But does he really love her?  Or is that just part of the deception?  And what about Lynn, who has discovered the previous tenant's diary and learned of Drummie's seduction of her and his attraction to her money?  Can she trust his profession of love?  Or does she need to fear for her life?  These are the questions which will play out in the balance of this film.

Female on the Beach was a tremendously exciting and interesting film, and I found it quite suspenseful (in a non-scary sort of way).  While this was my first exposure to Jeff Chandler, the fact that I didn't know him really didn't matter to me---I was completely riveted by the storyline.  His character isn't likeable at all, but again, that didn't matter to me.  After all, people CAN change their ways, so I was willing to give him a chance.  I couldn't wait to discover if he really had changed...or if he was still up to his same old tricks.  As usual, Joan gives a top-notch performance.  And, wow, she was 50 here...and still looking quite fabulous, as evidenced in those very short shorts.  (I did think her makeup was a little harsh for her age.)  Mr. Chandler played his part very well too and was completely convincing in his role.  While I don't find him to be particularly attractive, there definitely was a virility which oozed from him, which I thought made him perfect for the part.  The chemistry between him and Miss Crawford was terrific, with their love-hate passion igniting the screen.

While I don't believe this film is out on DVD, it is available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE), so if this film sounds interesting to you, try to catch it there.

Happy viewing!!

Women's Prison (3 stars)

Women's Prison, from 1955, is a gritty prison drama starrng Ida Lupino, Jan Sterling, Howard Duff, Audrey Totter, and Phyllis Thaxter.  Similar to Caged, the 1950 film which showcased the amazing acting range of Eleanor Parker, Women's Prison explores the issue of sadistic supervisors in a women's penetentiary.  This film is one I recently caught on TCM and which I chose to watch as part of my Ida Lupino birthday celebration.

Women's Prison is a collage kind of movie, in that there are several different storylines taking place.  First, there's Helene Jensen (Phyllis Thaxter), who is serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter after accidentally killing a child with her car.  Shocked and scared, Helene is barely able to function; although the kindly prison doctor (Howard Duff) advises against it, Helene is put immediately into quarantine and, ultimately, into a strait jacket. 

Entering the facility the same time as Helene is Brenda Martin (Jan Sterling), a repeat offender serving time for forgery.  Brenda is somewhat the mother hen of the group, always looking out for and helping the other girls. 

Joan Burton (Audrey Totter) is married to a man (Warren Stevens) who is incarcerated in the men's side of the prison; although they know it is against regulations, Joan and her husband yearn to see each other and will do whatever it takes for that to happen.  No matter how impossible it seems, Glenn Burton intends to find a way to reach the women's side of the prison, and when he finally gets there, there is a steep price to be paid.

Keeping watch over all these women is the cold-hearted superintendent, Amelia Van Zandt (Ida Lupino).  Although Miss Van Zandt claims she is rehabilitating the women, Dr. Crane accuses her of enjoying her power over them.  Calling her a psychopath, he charges that she dislikes the women and is jealous of them because they've known love---something she has not.  Though Dr. Crane repeatedly warns her about her ill-treatment of the women, Amelia perseveres with her harsh, brutal ways, until, unable to stand the treatment any longer, the inmates plan a revolt.

Though nowhere near the caliber of Caged, I found Women's Prison to be a solid, 3-star viewing experience.  Ida Lupino, who could portray a "good" girl and a "bad" girl equally well, was her usual terrific self.  She oozed coldness in this role, and I SO wanted her to receive her dues.  Jan Sterling, who, incidentally, was also in Caged, was terrific in her role as well.  I don't know, maybe it's the accent, but she was perfect as the smart aleck habitual offender.  Phyllis Thaxter was well cast in her part.  Her character was timid and scared, nearly completely broken at the thought of being incarcerated. Every role I've ever seen Phyllis in, she's gentle and kind, very soft-spoken...so she was perfectly suited to the character of Helene Jensen.  Howard Duff was fine as the compassionate doctor---no spectacular performance, just solid and believable....and what a beautiful voice!!  All in all, I liked this movie and recommend it.  Those who are fans of Ida Lupino, Howard Duff, or prison drama ought to especially enjoy it.  Be sure to see Caged as well (reviewed HERE) and then compare the two.

The film is out on DVD, so it should be fairly easy to track down.  Happy viewing!!

Alaska Seas (2 stars)

Alaska Seas, from 1954, is a crime-drama starring Robert Ryan, Jan Sterling, and Brian Keith.  This was a film I discovered in Net Flix instant viewing, solely because I was looking for Robert Ryan films, and I will be honest, Ryan is the only reason I watched until the end. 

The setting is a remote Alaskan fishing village in 1924.  Ne'er-do-well Matt Kelly (Ryan) has just finished serving a 6-month jail sentence for poaching seal skins.  Upon his release, Matt is handed a $920.60 bill from the local boat repairman; however, since Matt can't pay the bill, he sneaks off into the night, intent on returning to his home village and his old girlfriend, Nicki (Jan Sterling).

Matt's return home is met with contempt.  No one in the village likes or trusts him, and they don't want him joining in the fishing cooperative.  Add to that, Nicki, with whom Matt hopes to reconcile, is engaged---to Matt's old friend, Jim (Brian Keith).  Nicki and Jim both are willing to give Matt a chance, and despite the fact that Matt continually shows himself as untrustworthy, his old friends repeatedly stand up for him.  Eventually, though, Matt takes things too far, and Jim and Nicki are forced to acknowledge Matt's wickedness.

This film dragged for me; in fact, I was going to turn it off when there were about 30 minutes left---only my regard for the fabulous Robert Ryan kept me going.  As always, Ryan is extremely good and solid in the role.  He definitely played the unlikeable cad to perfection.  Maybe the subject matter just didn't interest me, I don't know.  I just know that with the exception of the final two minutes, which were exciting, the last half of the film was hard to get through. (And the first half wasn't a whole lot better.) I didn't hate the film, though.  For me, a "hate it," 1-star rating is a film that I detest so much I turn it off.  This one was just rather boring.  (That's why there are no 1-star films on my blog...I don't watch 1-star films...I just turn them off and, thus, don't know enough about them to review them.)

However, we're all unique, so what may be boring to me, someone else may like.  So, if Alaska Seas sounds interesting to you, you can catch it on Net Flix instant viewing, or perhaps it will be on TCM's schedule in the near future.

Happy viewing!!