Stronger Than Desire (3 stars)

Stonger Than Desire, from 1939, is a crime/mystery drama starring Walter Pidgeon and Virginia Bruce, with Lee Bowman and Ann Dvorak taking on co-starring roles.  It is virtually identical to 1934's Evelyn Prentice, my favorite William Powell/Myrna Loy film.  In fact, I turned on the TV at one point and said to myself, "Oh, this must be a remake of Evelyn Prentice."  The storyline was exactly the same, and even some of the lines were identical...in my mind I could hear both Loy and Powell in many of the things Bruce and Pidgeon said. 

The names were different from Evelyn Prentice.  In this film, Walter Pidgeon's character, a prominent defense attorney, is Tyler Flagg.  His wife, Elizabeth, weary of his workaholic ways, misses spending time with him.  One evening, while Tyler is with a client and she is at a club with friends, Elizabeth catches the eye of married ladies' man, Michael McLain (Lee Bowman).  McLain makes it a point to garner an introduction to Elizabeth, and the two begin spending time together...on a strictly platonic basis.

Meanwhile, Tyler's latest client begins to put the moves on him, even following him on a trip to Boston.  When it appears to Elizabeth that Tyler is having an affair with his client, she is devastated; hurt, she continues spending time with Michael.  Ultimately, though, Elizabeth comes to believe that her relationship with Michael ought not to be; although they aren't doing anything wrong, she doesn't think they should continue to see each other.  Michael, however, sees dollar signs in their relationship, and he sets out to blackmail her about some letters she had written to him.  The only recourse Elizabeth has is to shoot him, a crime for which Michael's wife (Ann Dvorak) goes to trial.

And that, my friends, is where I will leave off.  To find out anything more, you will have to watch this film.  As I said, it's nearly exactly like Evelyn Prentice, which I reviewed HERE.  Why not watch both films and see which one you prefer.

Happy viewing!!

Back Street (1961)

Back Street, from 1961, is a romantic drama, starring Susan Hayward, John Gavin, and Vera Miles.  A remake of the 1941 film of the same name, this version was produced by Ross Hunter, the force behind such melodramas as Magnificent Obsession, Imitation of Life (50's), Madame X, and All That Heaven Allows.  TCM aired both versions this past weekend; however, I didn't catch the earlier version, as what drew me to this one was Susan Hayward.  She is my #2 actress of all time (just behind Bette Davis), and whenever I see her name on the TCM schedule, I set the DVR.  Had I known beforehand that this version was a remake of an earlier film, I would have set the DVR for both, just for comparison's sake.  Unfortunately, I wasn't on top of things, so I didn't do that this time, but based on the cast of the earlier film (Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan ), I'm pretty sure I would prefer the remake.  (Going on the TCM website, I also discovered that there was a 1932 version of this film, which starred Irene Dunne and John Boles.)

Susan Hayward is Rae Smith, a fashion designer who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.  While meeting a potential client at a local hotel, Rae runs into Paul Saxon (John Gavin), a Marine on leave.  After Paul rescues her from the unwanted attentions of her potential client, the two of them go out for a drink.  Within a day, they are deeply in love with one another; however, Paul, who has a wife, is not free to pursue a future with Rae, and the two reluctantly part ways.  In an effort to heal her broken heart, Rae moves to New York City, where her career takes off, as she begins working with a big-name designer.

Several years later, Rae and Paul run into one another again, and although he pursues her relentlessly, Rae is unwilling to have an illicit affair with him.  In fact, she is so determined to avoid Paul that she travels to Italy with her boss.  As it turns out, though, Paul, who is owner of a chain of department stores, happens to be in Italy as well, and Rae's and his paths cross once again...and this time, Paul's wife, Liz, is with him, giving Rae an opportunity to see the life Paul has away from her.

Will Rae ultimately surrender her will and succumb to an illicit love affair with Paul?  Or will she continue to resist him?  And what of Paul's wife?  Does she love Paul?  Does she know of his love for another woman?  These are the questions that play out in this very soap opera-ish romantic drama.  (Warning:  The below video will answer those questions, so if you don't want to know those things before viewing this film, don't click on the video.)

Back Street is a definite tearjerker.  I think it's also a great "discussion piece," about when divorce is acceptable and when it's not.  Susan Hayward gives her usual fabulous performance.  Truly, for me, she is/was the second best actress there has ever been.  I haven't seen a film of hers in which her acting wasn't brilliant.  For me, she definitely made this film.  Vera Miles, as Paul's wife, was also brilliant in her performance.  And, John Gavin, was very good...very believable...and, oh, so handsome.  I definitely cared about and felt for his character.

This film, unfortunately, is not out on DVD (at least, not that I've discovered); however, it is on VHS, so if you have a working VCR (I don't), you could catch this movie that way.  Definitely, though, try to see it, as it is a very moving film...kind of the ultimate "chick flick" kind of movie.  I give it 4 stars, but it is more like 4.5...and very close to 5!

Happy viewing!!

All the Brothers Were Valiant (1953)

All the Brothers Were Valiant, from 1953, is an action/adventure film, starring Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, and Ann Blyth.  Based on Ben Ames Williams' 1919 novel of the same name, this film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.  A remake of the 1923 Lon Chaney film of the same name and the 1928 Ramon Novarro/Joan Crawford film Across to Singapore, it's the story of a pair of 1850's brothers, whalers on the high seas.

As the film begins, Joel Shore (Robert Taylor) returns to his Massachusetts hometown, having been gone on a three-year voyage.  Upon his return, he learns that his brother Mark (Stewart Granger) did not return with his ship from his last voyage.  It was assumed that he had died, possibly at the hands of some South Pacific islanders. 

Joel is given command of Mark's old ship and is to set off on another voyage; however, before doing so, he marries his long-time love, Priscilla (Ann Blyth), a woman who has also had feelings for brother Mark.  Not wanting to leave his new bride behind for two or three years, Joel has Priscilla accompany him on the voyage, and she takes immediately to sea life. 

When they reach the Gilbert Islands---the place where Mark was last seen---it is discovered that he didn't die after all.  In fact, Mark tells Joel the story of how he had discovered a fortune in black pearls but ended up losing them in a lagoon.  He requests that Joel join him in searching for the lost treasure, a request which Joel refuses.  Mark, though, used to getting his own way and used to pushing Joel around, will not take "no" for an answer; he will do whatever it takes to get those pearls, and if that means creating a mutiny and turning Priscilla against Joel, then that is exactly what he will do.

This film is exciting and entertaining and features good performances by all.  It's a solid 3 stars for me, and rather close to 4...definitely a film I enjoy and recommend.  I do think the idea of a newlywed wife  having a "honeymoon" aboard a whaling vessel is a bit off, but, you never know, some women might have done just that.

The film is out on DVD, and it also happens to be on TCM's schedule quite often, so it should be fairly easy to track down.  Hope you get a chance to see it.

Happy viewing!!

Day-Time Wife (3 stars)

Day-Time Wife, from 1939, is a sweet little romantic comedy starring Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell.  This film made its TCM premiere last month...I think it was on Linda Darnell's day on Summer Under the Stars.  Since I had been wanting to see it, I set the DVR.

Power and Darnell play Ken and Jane Norton, a couple just celebrating their second wedding anniversary.  As the film begins, Jane has planned an anniversary party, inviting all their friends.  Ken, however, doesn't make it to the party; his secretary calls Jane to inform her that Ken had something come up and will be working late at the office.  Jane and the party guests decide that if Ken can't get to the party, the party will go to him instead.  Alas, though, when they arrive at his office, Ken is not there. 

Although Jane's friend hints that she believes Ken is having an affair, Jane doesn't believe it...until Ken arrives home that evening and maintains that he had been at the office all night.  Since she had been to the office and knows Ken is lying, Jane begins to believe that he is, in fact, having an affair.

Wanting to find out "what a secretary has that a wife doesn't," Jane takes a job as a secretary to an architect.  Turns out that her new boss, who tells her that wives are rather routine, is a business associate of Ken's, and he wants himself, Jane, Ken, and Ken's secretary to have dinner together.  Of course, the results of that dinner are quite comical.

Day-Time Wife is definitely a predictable movie, but I think it's loads of fun.  (Predictable doesn't bother me at all...I rather like it.)  Ty Power and Linda Darnell, paired for the first time here, are great together.  I think their chemistry was fantastic.  Add to that, they both are totally gorgeous at this point in their careers.  Combining all that together, Day-Time Wife is really an entertaining film.

This film is available on DVD, as part of the Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection.  Additionally, it is available on You Tube, so you have a couple options if you'd like to watch it.  Happy viewing!!

Virtue (3 stars)

Virtue, from 1932, is a pre-code drama starring Carole Lombard and Pat O'Brien.  The lovely Miss Lombard portrays Mae, a young woman arrested for prostitution as the film begins.    After being told to high-tail it back to her hometown, she is released.  Before long, she meets cab driver Jimmy Doyle, and after a bad first impression, the two are soon smitten with each other.  Without telling Jimmy about her past, Mae marries him and seeks to live an honorable life.

As always, though, secrets can't be hidden forever, and in short order, Jimmy discovers the truth about Mae.  He is extremely upset and even contemplates walking out on her; however, since he loves her, he gives her another chance.  Deep down, though, he never forgives her, nor does he really trust her, so when circumstances indicate that Mae has reverted back to her old life (even though that is not the case), Jimmy believes the worst and walks out.

Will Mae and Jimmy get back together?  Will Jimmy ever fully forgive Mae?  Does he ever begin to trust her?  These are the questions that will play out in this film.

Although Virtue isn't a spectacular movie and the acting isn't the best, I do think it's an interesting and entertaining film.  I'm not sure if it's out on DVD, but TCM airs it periodically, so you could catch it there.

Happy viewing!!