Salome (1953)

First up for Stewart Granger month is the lavish, Technicolor Biblical epic, Salome.  From 1953, this beautiful William Dieterle film stars Rita Hayworth in the title role, with Mr. Granger as her co-star and Charles Laughton, Judith Anderson, and Alan Badel in support.  Featuring gowns by Jean Louis, this film is loosely based on the Biblical story of Princess Salome, who danced for King Herod in exchange for the head of John the Baptist.

In the time of Tiberius Caesar (Cedric Hardwicke), King Herod (Charles Laughton) and his wife, Herodias (Judith Anderson), are on the throne in Galilee.  Because their marriage is adulterous in the eyes of God, they are regularly and publicly condemned by the prophet, John the Baptist. Enraged by the Baptist's preaching, Herodias demands that her husband put the man to death; however, believing that the wrath of God and the people will fall on him if he lays a hand on John, the king is unwilling to arrest him.

Meanwhile, in Rome, the beautiful princess, Salome (Rita Hayworth), has incurred the emperor's wrath.  Herodias's daughter by a previous marriage, Salome has been living in Rome since she was a child.  Because the emperor's nephew and she have fallen in love and wish to be married, and since the law is clear that a Roman must marry a Roman, a request is made of the emperor to allow  an exception in their case.  Furious that his nephew wishes to marry a "barbarian," the emperor banishes Salome from Rome, sending her back to Galilee.

Also sailing from Rome, are the new Judean governor, Pontius Pilate, and Commander Claudius (Stewart Granger), a Roman soldier stationed in Galilee.  Though a Roman, Claudius is secretly a follower of John the Baptist and, ultimately, Christ.  Although his relationship with the beautiful Salome starts off on an angry, hateful note, eventually, the two fall in love.  With Claudius wanting to protect the Baptist, her mother hoping to have him executed, and her stepfather, Herod, inflamed with lust for her, Salome must determine where her true loyalties lie.

This film is lavish and beautiful and well-acted.  Charles Laughton is so very believable as the lecherous old man who lusts after his stepdaughter.  He may have been a bit over the top, but I think the role called for that.  Judith Anderson plays nasty so well, and I think she's good here, though not quite on par with her performance as housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, in Rebecca. Stewart Granger is great here and very believable in his role, plus he's incredibly handsome and wears the Roman garb beautifully.  Rita Hayworth is completely stunning, and her "Dance of the Seven Veils" is undeniably sensual.



Much license is taken with the true facts, so if that bothers you, you will probably not like this film. It didn't bother me, as I see the film for what it is---a story based on history, not an actual history lesson.  I'm going with 3 stars on this, but it's more like 3.5.

Incidentally, when I was watching this, my son walked into the room.  Since I was on my laptop, he couldn't see the screen...he could only hear it.  He said to me, "What are you watching?  Ben-Hur?"  I had thought the same thing---that the score sounded very Ben-Hur-like on occasion. It really must have if, without any prompting from me, my son thought the same thing.

Although not on the TCM schedule in the near future, Salome is out on DVD, plus it is available in its entirety on YouTube (HERE).  I hope you get a chance to see it.

Happy viewing!!

Blood and Sand (4 stars)

Blood and Sand, from 1941, is an action/adventure Technicolor film starring Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, and Rita Hayworth.  Featuring Laird Cregar, John Carradine, J. Carrol Naish, and Anthony Quinn in supporting roles, this film, which was brought to the screen in 1922 with Rudolph Valentino in the lead role, is based on the Vincente Blasco Ibanez novel of the same name.

Young Juan Gallardo (who will grow up to be Tyrone Power) dreams of being a bullfighter as his late father was.  Bragging that the bull which can kill him hasn't been born yet, the fearless Juan vows to be the greatest of all matadors.  After promising his childhood sweetheart, Carmen (Ann Todd, who will grow up to be Linda Darnell), that they will be married upon his return, Juan sets off for Madrid, where he will train and begin his bullfighting career.

Ten years later, Juan returns to his hometown, marries the lovely Carmen, and is very much at the top of his game.  While the bullfighting critic, Curro (Laird Cregar), was once unimpressed by Juan, the man is soon eating his words and declaring Juan to be "the greatest of the great."  Crowds are wild about Juan's abilities in the ring, and he soon becomes rich and famous.

At the height of Juan's fame, the beautiful Dona Sol (Rita Hayworth) returns to town, and in short order, the two of them have begun an affair.  As he pursues his relationship with the beautiful woman, Juan neglects all else.  His bullfighting skills falter, his critics rail against him, and his wealth disappears.  With up-and-comers on the move, and a fickle crowd always wanting something greater, will Juan be able to hang on to his fame?  Or will the illicit love of the beautiful woman bring him down?  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.




The costumes and scenery in Blood and Sand are stunning!  The story is interesting and exciting and filled with non-stop action.  Ty Power is completely perfect in this role, and he is magical with the cape---the way it twirled in front of the bull is beautiful.  He looks spectacular in every costume he wears, and his acting is terrific.  Linda Darnell is lovelier than I have ever seen her, and she and Power, as in their other films together, have great chemistry here.  Rita Hayworth (who is rapidly climbing up my favorite actress list and is now close to #10) is completely gorgeous; I was especially captivated by her in a royal blue gown.  She even has a chance to "strut her stuff" in a beautiful, sensual dance sequence with Anthony Quinn.



While bullfighting is no longer an acceptable means of entertainment, Blood and Sand is a product of its times and, as such, is easily a 4-star, must-see film.  Besides, just enjoying this movie doesn't mean one condones bullfighting, anymore than loving Gone with the Wind means one condones slavery.  This film also includes marital infidelity, and I abhor that...but I still think the film is amazing!!  Out on DVD, it ought to be fairly easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!