I Want to Live (5 stars)

It was March 9, 1953 that the brutal, cold-blooded killing of Mabel Monahan took place in Burbank, California.  A 64-year old widow, Mrs. Monahan was bludgeoned and strangled, then left in the hallway of her house, her body to be discovered by her gardener two days later.  The three people arrested and convicted of the murder were executed in California’s gas chamber a little more than two years later (June 3, 1955), and a story based on the life of the female member of that trio was brought to life not long afterwards (1958) in the film I Want to Live. (Of course, “Hollywood license” was taken, resulting in several situations being fictionalized and/or depicted in a way which was not how they actually happened.)

Directed by Robert Wise, and starring my #2 gal, Susan Hayward, in an Academy Award-winning performance, I Want to Live is a gritty, hard-hitting “discussion piece” kind of movie.  The film, which will more than likely leave you questioning Mrs. Graham’s guilt, was based on the newspaper articles of Pulitzer Prize-winning San Francisco Examiner reporter, Edward S. Montgomery, and the letters of Barbara Graham.

Good-time party girl, Barbara Ward (Susan Hayward), is living a fast and loose lifestyle when she is arrested on prostitution charges.  Now with a criminal record, Barbara gets in further trouble with the law when, despite knowing perjury is a felony, she agrees to provide a phony alibi for two men who want to beat a rap.  Convicted of perjury charges, Barbara serves a year’s time and is then put on probation for five years.  During her probation period, she marries a man named Henry Graham then gives birth to a little boy.  Henry Graham is a drug addict who cannot hold a job, which results in Barbara passing bad checks and, ultimately, breaking her parole.

Though married, Barbara keeps company with two men who are suspected of the recent murder of a Burbank widow; a sting operation is put into action, and the men and Barbara are arrested.  Completely hostile to authorities, Barbara refuses to confess or to cooperate with prosecutors, and when she is questioned by the press, her belligerent attitude begins the initial action of trying her in the court of public opinion.  With the headline “Bloody Babs, the Tiger Woman,” reporter Ed Montgomery writes that Barbara is “young, attractive, belligerent, immoral, and guilty as hell.” 

As the case goes to trial, Barbara is fingered by the others as the one who did the killing.  Though she claims she is innocent and that she wasn’t anywhere near Mabel Monahan’s home that evening, Barbara has no alibi, and in an effort to concoct one, she lies that she had been with a man at a hotel.  As it turns out, though, the man who offers to be her phony alibi is an undercover police officer intent on getting a confession from her.  When he threatens to walk out on her unless she admits to having been with the other men, she agrees that she was, and that confession is brought forward as evidence against her.  Even though Barbara claims that her “confession” was a lie due to fear of her alibi falling through, having done time for perjury in the past, she is, more than ever, thought to be a compulsive liar and, without question, guilty of the crime for which she is standing trial.

All three suspects are convicted and sentenced to death in the gas chamber at San Quentin.  Barbara moves to Death Row, and as the film plays out, Ed Montgomery begins to believe that she is innocent.  Feeling that the press created the climate which condemned her, he seeks to change the climate.  With hopes to have a lie detector test administered, a psychologist is called in, but it is all to no avail.  Barbara’s appeal is denied…execution is inevitable...the gas chamber is prepared.  In the end, the question remains…is Barbara Graham a murderer?  Yes, she is hard, belligerent, immoral, and unlikeable…but is she a murderer?  This film’s view is that she is not.

In all, I Want to Live received 6 Academy Award nominations, taking home the win in the Lead Actress category.  Without question, Miss Hayward deserved the Academy Award she won for her work in this film, for she played the hardened Mrs. Graham to absolute perfection.  Truly, there are not enough adjectives to describe the performance she gave . . . she was brilliant . . . awesome . . . sensational . . . terrific . . . completely stellar.  While I think Miss Hayward was an amazing actress who gave many superb performances, I believe I Want to Live is definitely her finest hour.  Adding to the fantastic acting in this film is the incredible score.  It is perfect and totally adds to the realism.  The death row and gas chamber scenes are powerful and haunting, especially as Barbara mentally prepares herself for the walk to her execution, only to receive a last-minute stay by the governor.  Those torturous moments are brought vividly to life by Miss Hayward.

For those who like meaty, hard-hitting, gritty dramas with completely magnificent acting, I Want to Live is an absolute must-see.  No matter whether you are a proponent of the death penalty or an opponent, or whether you believe Barbara Graham was, in fact, guilty, or whether you think she was wrongly convicted, you absolutely will not be disappointed with the caliber of this film.  It is truly outstanding!  I don't believe the film is out on DVD; however, it is available in its entirety on YouTube (in parts), so you could catch it there.

Happy viewing!!

An Act of Murder (4 stars)

An Act of Murder, from 1948, is a controversial-themed drama starring Fredric March, his wife Florence Eldridge, and Edmond O'Brien.  Featuring Geraldine Brooks in a supporting role, this little-known gem takes a look at the issue of mercy killing.

Hard-nosed judge Calvin Cooke (Fredric March) sits on the bench, having little tolerance for defendants or defense attorneys.  Because of his notoriously unsympathetic attitude towards those convicted of crimes, he has earned the nickname Old Maximum.  Even his daughter, Elly (Geraldine Brooks), feels that he stops being human as soon as he puts on his robe.

Just as Calvin and his wife Kathy (Florence Eldridge, Mr. March's real-life wife of 45+ years) prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, Kathy finds herself having severe headaches, coupled with visual and hearing disturbances and loss of feeling on one side.  Though she has ignored the symptoms for close to a year, she makes an appointment with the family doctor, and in short order, Kathy is diagnosed as having terminal brain cancer.  Several physicians concur that the situation is completely hopeless.

The doctor informs Calvin of Kathy's prognosis; however, he lies to Kathy that she is fine---and he requests that Calvin, also, not tell her the truth of her impending death.  Though the disease will progress rapidly and Kathy will be in a great deal of pain, Calvin arranges the second honeymoon which his wife had been requesting.  On the trip, Kathy takes a dramatic turn for the worse, and Calvin, unable to bear seeing his beloved wife in agony, decides to perform a mercy killing, an action which makes him a lawbreaker and exactly the kind of man for whom he has no tolerance in the courtroom.  Defending him is none other than Dave Douglas (Edmond O'Brien), a defense attorney with whom he often clashes.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.



An Act of Murder is a really great, well-acted film, and it handles this controversial issue very well---a bit safely, but very well nonetheless.  Fredric March gives his usual terrific performance.  I really loved his character, and I loved seeing him evolve from a "black and white only" kind of guy to one who realizes that there are sometimes gray areas.  As one who has previously held tenaciously to "black and white only," but who has found that there are, indeed, gray areas, I could really empathize with and relate to Mr. March's character.   I was moved by this film and found myself getting teary-eyed on more than one occasion.   I think the fact that the real-life Mrs. Fredric March was the wife in this film probably made the situation that much more personal and real, as I felt like I was witnessing Mr. March's actual response to the terminal illness of the woman he loved.  Edmond O'Brien was very solid and capable in his role---actually, I've never seen him give anything but a quality performance.  Finally, since An Act of Murder deals with a very controversial subject---which is still greatly debated today---it makes a great discussion piece kind of film.  I think it's a definite must-see!

The film is not out on DVD, nor is it on the TCM schedule; however, it is available on YouTube.  Try to catch it there if you can.

Happy viewing!!

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (3 stars)

One of the most solid leading men of the 1940's and 1950's, Dana Andrews was an actor who, sadly, never seemed to get the recognition and appreciation he deserved.  Classic Movie Man, however, is doing his small part to bring Mr. Andrews a bit of recognition---he is hosting the Dana Andrews blogathon on Saturday, July 28th.  As one who places Mr. Andrews firmly among her top 20 favorite actors, I am thrilled to take part in the event and to have the opportunity to bring one of this terrific actor's lesser-known films to the attention of others.  Please visit the Classic Movie Man's blog (HERE) to take part in this event yourself or to read the film reviews and thoughts of the other participants.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a 1956 Fritz Lang film, is a crime-drama starring Dana Andrews and Joan Fontaine.  Some sites classify this as film noir, but I think it's only mildly noir.  It's mostly crime/mystery.

The movie begins with the execution of a man who had been convicted solely on circumstantial evidence.  After witnessing the execution, newspaper publisher, Austin Spencer, an opponent of capital punishment, becomes quite concerned about the possibility of convicting and executing innocent men.  Together with his son-in-law to-be, reporter-turned-novelist, Tom Garrett (Dana Andrews), Spencer devises a scheme in which an innocent man will be arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, all based solely on circumstantial evidence.  Upon conviction, the scheme will be revealed, showing the prosecuting attorney, the court, and the entire public the danger of capital punishment.

After reading in the newspaper about the unsolved murder of burlesque dancer, Patti Gray, Spencer and Garrett's plan is put into action, with Garrett being the man who will be suspect.  The two men plant Tom's lighter (a gift from his fiance, Susan) at the scene of the crime; additionally, a lady's stocking is planted in his glove compartment, and traces of the kind of makeup Patti used are rubbed on the seats of his car.

After learning that the murdered woman was last seen with a man wearing a gray tweed coat and a top hat, Tom makes sure that is how he is seen.  He begins frequenting the club where Patti worked, coming on to one of her fellow dancers, and eventually, as hoped, that woman begins to suspect that Tom was the man she saw Patti with the night of her murder.  The police are called in, and Tom is arrested and sent to trial.

Upon Tom's conviction, Austin is supposed to reveal the truth, which had been completely documented with photographs of every bit of evidence the men planted.  However, things don't work out as planned, but I won't say more than that so as not to give away anymore of the story.  I will say that there is a totally major twist, which I never saw coming.



Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is a very interesting, exciting film, and up until the very end, I was going to give it 4 stars.  However, in the end, I decided to go with 3 stars (more like 3.5), as I thought the final few minutes were a bit of a letdown.  I think it was just wrapped up too quickly; there could have been a bit more depth.  Even though I was disappointed in the strength of the ending, though, I definitely enjoyed this film and fully intend to watch it again sometime.  Though Joan Fontaine gets second billing, as Andrews' fiance, she has almost nothing to do.  She is hardly more than a beautiful face in a couple of scenes.

The film is out on DVD, plus it is on the TCM schedule for Monday, October 22nd, at 4:45 p.m. (ET).  Try to catch it if you can.  Dana Andrews is always worth watching!

Happy viewing!!

These Wilder Years (4 stars)

With July being James Cagney and Barbara Stanwyck month here at They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, I thought it would be appropriate to review the only pairing of those two amazing stars---1956's These Wilder Years, a drama which features Walter Pidgeon and Betty Lou Keim in supporting roles.

Back in 1936, college student Steven Bradford (James Cagney) impregnated his girlfriend, and when he refused to marry her, the little boy she bore was given up for adoption.  Now, 20 years later, having gotten older and lonely, Bradford is on a quest to locate that son and, therefore, makes a trip to the small-town orphanage which handled the adoption.  Used to getting his way, the wealthy businessman first begins his quest at the desk of agency director, Ann Dempster (Barbara Stanwyck), but she assures him that adoption laws are strict and that she will not break them to accommodate Mr. Bradford.  For his part, Bradford maintains that the boy is his son and that no one has the right to keep him away from him...except the boy himself.

While at the agency, Steve makes the acquaintance of Susie (Betty Lou Keim), a sweet 16-year old pregnant girl.  When a couple arrives at the agency to pick up the child they will be adopting, Susie is greatly affected and cannot stop weeping.  Though Steve attempts to comfort the girl, she is grieved because the day of giving away her own baby is drawing near, and she knows she will never get over losing the child.  Because he, too, longs for a child who was given up, Steve understands Susie's feelings, and the two of them form a father/daughter kind of relationship.

Although Steve tells Miss Dempster that he's not looking for the child to take something away from him but rather to give to him all that he has accomplished through the years, the agency director will not be swayed.  She reminds Steve that the boy has parents who have raised him and that it would wrong to try to jump into his life at this late juncture.  Finally, in desperation, Steve gets his lawyer (Walter Pidgeon) involved, and Ann Dempster is taken to court.  However, will Steve, who has begun to like and respect that lady, allow her to be held in contempt of court for not relinquishing the records?  And will Ann, who, likewise, respects and likes Steve, change her mind and reveal the whereabouts of the long-lost son?  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.




First and foremost, I must say that I wish Mr. Cagney and Miss Stanwyck had made more than just this one film together.  They were both terrific in dramatic roles, and I think they would have made a completely sensational team!!  While Miss Stanwyck is her usual solid self here, the film really is James Cagney's, and, as always, he plays it perfectly!  He was completely stellar in this role; in fact, given that he was highly out of character, I think it is actually one of his best performances.  (However, being totally honest, I think Mr. Cagney always gave a "best" performance...he could well be the most brilliant actor there has ever been.)  In this film, he shows a bit of a soft, vulnerable side...and he did it beautifully.  I loved the interaction between him and the young girl, Susie.  It's not often James Cagney plays paternal, so the opportunity to see him in that light, makes this film extra special.

Mr. Cagney and his wife were adoptive parents themselves (having adopted a son and a daughter), so I wonder if that made this film a bit more personal to him than some of his other films?  Regardless, These Wilder Years is a sweet, touching, mildly heart-tugging film, which I believe all James Cagney fans will want to see.

The film is not out on DVD, and I do not believe it is on YouTube either, so it may be hard to track down. Do keep your eyes open for it, though, as I think it is a very worthwhile film.

Happy viewing!!

They Won't Believe Me (3 stars)

They Won't Believe Me, from 1947, is a mildly suspenseful film noir starring Robert Young, Susan Hayward, and Jane Greer.  Directed by Irving Pichel, this film is one which had been on my radar for quite some time, and about a month ago, TCM finally aired it, so I DVR'd it and saved it to watch during my Susan Hayward birthday month celebration.

The story, which is told in flashback, begins as Larry Balantine (Robert Young) takes the stand at his own murder trial.  Mr. Balantine reveals a story which clearly portrays him as a philandering husband...but does that necessarily equate to being a cold-blooded murderer?

A married man, Larry has been seeing Janice (Jane Greer) for several months.  Janice, however, realizing that she's not "a Saturday afternoon girl," nor a home-wrecker, breaks things off with him and leaves town.  Although Larry would like to run off with Janice, the fact is, he's quite attached to his wife Greta's money; therefore, leaving her is not an option.

Despite Larry's unfaithfulness, Greta (Rita Johnson) wants to save their marriage and suggests that a change of scenery would be good for them, so they move off to California, where Greta's influence buys Larry a job at an investment brokerage.

A young lady named Verna Carlson (Susan Hayward) works in Larry's firm, and in short order, the two of them begin seeing one another.  When Greta discovers that Larry is, once again, being unfaithful to her, she sells his investment in the firm and then gives him an ultimatum---go with her to the mountain ranch she has bought or stay in the city with his girlfriend.  Since he has no intention of living without Greta's money, Larry has no choice in the matter...he breaks things off with Verna and heads out to the isolation of the mountains.

When, a short while later, a building project on the ranch leads Larry back to Los Angeles, he re-connects with Verna; in love with her, he determines that he will leave Greta---no matter how hard it will be, his and Verna's love will see them through.  After slipping a cheap drugstore ring on Verna's finger, the two lovebirds happily head off to Reno, where Larry intends to obtain a divorce and then marry Verna.  Things don't go as planned, however, and ultimately, Larry finds himself charged with the murder of the woman he loves.  (I can't reveal anymore without giving away too many of the surprise twists.)

Now on the witness stand for his life, Larry has revealed the whole ugly, sordid story...but will the jury believe him?  Will the jury really believe that while he is certainly a cheating husband, he is not a murderer? Or will they deem Larry's story a complete fabrication and convict him? These are the questions which will play out in the balance of the film.



They Won't Believe Me is definitely an interesting, exciting film.  However, to be honest, I have to say that  it occurred to me several times, that the role of Larry was exceedingly out of character for Robert Young.  I have never seen him portray anything but an honorable, upright man, and in fact, in his own life, he was decent and honorable, having been married (apparently faithfully) to one woman for over 60 years.  It just seemed so odd to see him as a lying philanderer.  He played the part well and was very credible---it just didn't seem like his kind of role.  Jane Greer's part in the film is fairly small, but she does a great job with it. Susan Hayward is a fantastic femme fatale---I always love seeing her in meaty roles like this.  The film's ending is rather shocking.  While I kind of expected one aspect of it, I definitely never saw the other aspect happening.

All in all, They Won't Believe Me is a solid, enjoyable, 3-star viewing experience, and it's very close to being 4 stars.  Although not out on DVD, it is on the TCM schedule for next Tuesday, June 12th, at 10:00 p.m. (ET), so perhaps you can catch it then.

Happy viewing!!

Witness for the Prosecution (5 stars)

Witness for the Prosecution, from 1957, is a fabulous whodunit, filled with twists and turns galore.  Directed by the amazing Billy Wilder, the film stars Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton, all of whom give brilliant performances.  (This was Tyrone Power's final completed film, as he died of a heart attack during the filming of Solomon and Sheba the following year.  He was quite young...just 44.  I think his performance here in Witness for the Prosecution is the best one he ever gave.)

Leonard Vole (Power), a partially-employed inventor, is accused of murdering wealthy widow, Emily French, a woman many years his senior.  When a chance meeting brings Mrs. French into his life, Vole works to develop a friendship with her, because besides enjoying the lady's company, he hopes to convince her to finance his most recent invention.  So, the two of them, in a completely platonic fashion, begin seeing each other two or three times a week...playing canasta, listening to music, taking in a movie.

When Mrs. French is found murdered, her housekeeper immediately implicates Vole, since he had been with her the evening of her death.  Although Leonard proclaims his innocence, the case against him intensifies after it is discovered that Mrs. French had recently changed her will, making Leonard the beneficiary of 80,000 pounds.   Leonard eventually stands trial for murder, with Charles Laughton portraying the attorney who takes on his defense.

One of the witnesses the prosecution brings against him is none other than his wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich), whose testimony tears Leonard's story apart.

To say more than this would totally ruin the viewing pleasure of those who have never seen this film.  In fact, as the ending credits roll, the viewer is warned by an announcer to "not divulge the ending to friends who have not seen it."   Of course, a first-time viewing of this film is best.  After that, the surprise factor is gone; however, it's still a fantastic movie, with great performances by the three leads.




The acting in this film is completely brilliant!!!  All three stars---Power, Dietrich, and Laughton---give amazing performances.  Truly, I think this was the performance of both Power and Dietrich's entire careers.  They were both totally fantastic!!  Charles Laughton's real-life wife, Elsa Lanchester, played his nurse in the film, and there are several comical moments between them.  Although it didn't garner any wins, Witness for the Prosecution was nominated in six Academy Award categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Lead Actor (Laughton), and Supporting Actress (Lanchester).  Shockingly, neither Power nor Dietrich received a nomination for the brilliant work they did here.

Witness for the Prosecution is out on DVD, so it should be readily available for your viewing pleasure.  I highly recommend it.  (Our family recently enjoyed a re-watch in honor of Tyrone Power's upcoming May 5th birthday.)

Happy viewing!!

The Girl from Jones Beach (4 stars)

The Girl from Jones Beach, from 1949, is a romantic comedy starring Ronald Reagan and Virginia Mayo, featuring Eddie Bracken, Henry Travers, Dona Drake, and Florence Bates, in supporting roles.  I enjoyed a re-watch of this very adorable film as part of my beach movie theme this month.

Commerical artist Bob Randolph (Ronald Reagan) has been drawing the "ultimate woman."  Dubbed "The Randolph Girl," she is perfect in every way, and publicity agent Chuck Donovan (Eddie Bracken) has been hired to learn the model's identity and track her down for a television appearance.  Only problem is, as Chuck discovers upon his visit to Bob Randolph's office, there is no "Randolph Girl"...at least no single girl.  Rather, she is a composite of twelve different women...eyes of one, nose of another, neck of another, ankles of another, etc.  None of the girls know of the others' existence, though; each girl thinks she is the one and only "Randolph Girl."

Since there is no girl and, thus, no one to appear on the television show, Chuck feels life isn't worth living anymore, so he heads to Jones Beach, where he intends to drown himself.  While out in a boat, he scans the shoreline with his binoculars, and to his amazement, he sees her---the spitting image of the Randolph Girl---all wrapped up in one perfect woman; quickly, Chuck lets Bob know that he has discovered the girl.  The lovely beauty is Ruth Wilson (Virginia Mayo), a 6th grade teacher, who wants to be known and appreciated for her intellectual qualities rather than her looks.

With Miss Wilson's aversion to being sought out for her beauty, Bob knows she's not apt to jump at the chance to be his model; instead, he'll need to appeal to her intellectual side first...get to know her...then hopefully convince her to take up the "Randolph Girl" mantle.  Since Ruth also teaches an adult education class for new citizens, Bob decides to pose as a new immigrant and enroll in her class.  So, with a made-up name, an invented country, and an accent which changes by the minute, Bob makes the teacher's acquaintance as a student in her class.  Of course, the two fall in love, but there are definitely complications---Bob isn't who Ruth thinks he is, the twelve models discover Bob's deception, and a snapshot is taken of a swimsuit-clad Ruth, getting her into hot water with the school board.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.





Originally, the female lead was to have gone to Lauren Bacall; however, she refused the part, and it went to Mayo. (Info found through a TCM article...HERE)  While her reason for bowing out is not known, the TCM article makes clear that she and Reagan were political opposites and that she had refused other parts (Stallion Road and, later, Storm Warning) which would have required working with him.  Quite honestly, if political differences were the reason she opted out of the role, I think it's a cop-out.  After all, isn't giving the appearance of getting along with someone you don't like what acting is all about?  Besides that, being on a different political page doesn't mean you can't get on with a person; in fact, my beloved Robert Ryan was about as politically different from me as one can be (as was John Garfield, whom I also quite adore).  People don't have to think the same way I do for me to like them (or count them as a beloved!!) or work with them, so if political differences were Miss Bacall's reason for declining this film, I find that rather sad. Whatever her reason, the role went to Miss Mayo, who, I think, was totally perfect in it.  She's beautiful and perky and loads of fun, and her chemistry with Mr. Reagan was great.  (I know they worked together in another film as well...She's Working Her Way Through College.)  Oh, and just FYI, my beloved William Holden thought differently about Mr. Reagan---they were good friends, and he was the best man at his wedding to Nancy.

The film has a very cute little theme song.



The courtroom scene is quite comical; especially funny is Henry Travers, who portrays the judge.  Though he wants to run a tight ship and keep everyone in line, the sight of the lovely Ruth in a swimsuit just can't help but have an effect on him.

The Girl from Jones Beach is definitely a cute, loads-of-fun film.  Yes, it's predictable, but getting to that predictable ending is totally delightful.  I definitely recommend this film; however, it may be a difficult one to track down.  It is not out on DVD, nor can I find it on YouTube.  It is not currently on the TCM schedule; they do show it fairly regularly, however, so hopefully you can catch it in the next few months.

Happy viewing!!!

A Place in the Sun (5 stars)

For the next two days, the "Gone Too Soon" blogathon will be taking place here in blogland.   A way of remembering the many stars who left this world much too soon, this great event is being hosted by Comet over Hollywood.  Since the star I am remembering during the blogathon is the fabulous Montgomery Clift, I decided now was the perfect time to re-work one of my very earliest posts (which I did before I had even one blog reader).  So, in honor of Mr. Clift...

A Place in the Sun, from 1951, is a powerful romantic drama starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters.  Winner of six Academy Awards and nominated for three more, this fabulous film is high on my list of all-time favorites.  In fact, it's very near the top, coming in anywhere from  #1 to #3 (depending on my mood).  I absolutely love this movie and could watch it every couple of months.  It's one of those films which I always hope has a different ending than the one it has.

Montgomery Clift is George Eastman, a rather down on his luck young man from the wrong side of the tracks. He arrives in town and at the home of his wealthy uncle, who owns a factory.  Though the uncle had told George to look him up if he ever came to town, it is quite obvious that the older man never really expected George to do that.  Feeling obligated, though, he gives his nephew a job at his factory---with the strict instruction to not fraternize with the employees.  Not really accepted by his wealthy relatives, though, George is lonely and soon finds himself spending time with factory worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters).

In short time, George and Alice have begun having a physical relationship, which results in pregnancy.  Although Alice hopes to have an abortion, her doctor will not perform one.  (Although the actual word "abortion" is not used, you know that's what she is after.)  George is extremely distraught at the news of Alice's pregnancy...not only because he doesn't love her...but because he has fallen in love with wealthy socialite, Angela Vickers (played by an amazingly beautiful, 19 year-old Elizabeth Taylor).

After all the loneliness and rejection he's known, George has finally found love and acceptance. But his happiness is quelled by Alice's insistence that he marry her...something he does not want to do.  So he begins to ponder a way of getting Alice out of the picture.

Does anything happen to Alice?  Does George marry her? What happens to the baby? And what about Angela and George's love for each other?  These are the questions which play out in the balance of this incredible film.

As I said, this is not a feel-good movie at all . In fact, I find it haunting...not in a scary sense, but in the fact  that every time I see it, it stays in my mind for days.  It is also a great "discussion piece"  kind of film.  I've discussed it with other classic movie fans (including my 20-ish daughter), and it is amazing how two people can look at the same thing and see things completely differently from one another.  While some people look at George as a "scum bag" who used Alice and then wanted to drop her when something better came along, I don't see him that way at all.  Instead, I see him in a sympathetic light.  (And you won't hurt my feelings if you disagree with me.)  Also, despite the snobbiness of her upper class friends and family, Angela possessed a real inner beauty, as she exhibited completely unconditional love for George.  Since real and true love isn't based upon the perfect behavior of the recipient and is offered even when the recipient screws up, Angela's love for George was real and very beautiful.

The acting in this film is brilliant!   Montgomery Clift's performance was beyond fantastic---the way the emotions played across his face and in his eyes as he struggled with his conscience was incredibly vivid.  Truly, I think this was the best performance of a career in which all the performances were spectacular.  He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his work here, and I, for one, think he deserved the win that year.  (Sorry to you Humphrey Bogart/African Queen fans.)  Shelley Winters, who received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination, was amazing in her role too.  Elizabeth Taylor was perfect as well.  Not one of them could have been improved upon.

Just as an aside, I think Montgomery Clift is one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen---at least prior to his May, 1956, car accident. (After his accident, which left his face partly paralyzed, his looks were dramatically different.) He is fabulously good-looking in this movie. And while I'm not an Elizabeth Taylor fan, I think she is stunningly beautiful here. It's easy to see how she became the major star that she did.  The two of them, who were very dear friends off camera, have incredible chemistry with one another in this film.  Their passion is real and believable...and extremely sensual.

This incredibly moving drama is out on DVD, so it should be quite easy to track down.  If you like mature, meaty, thought-provoking dramas, definitely make it a point to see A Place in the Sun.

Happy viewing!!