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john-mcc2
Reviews
Now, Voyager (1942)
wonderful dialogue
Bette at her most magnificent. Mom properly malevolent no matter the reason, even cats do not eat their kittens. Henreid,Davis love scenes are poignant, livid with unspoken but well understood desire. I am surprised that your cast listings do not identify the juvenile who plays Henreid's troubled little girl, she was magnificent. I read that Davis objected to the score interfering with her performance but cannot agree...the lovely "Wrong, would it be wrong to kiss (lyrics made later probably....." )is hauntingly there always at the right time. I do think the concert Tchaikowsky was a little heavy handed into subsequent scenes after the stage whispered Lawson speech between Davis and Henreid at the concert. Her releasing Jon Loder scene is magnificent. And of course, the wonderful use of black and white film. Few DP's could do that today. John McCullough
Johnny Belinda (1948)
It wears well.
Am 79 years old. Saw it at age 23. Saw it again on TV tonight.It is still a stunning film, the black and white cinematography could not be achieved by many of today's a.s.c. people. Anybody can shoot color.
She was poignant in every scene. The northern California coast doubles nicely for Nova Scotia from whence my maternal ancestors emigrated.
I have difficult time seeing Lew Ayers not in a German soldiers uniform but he was wonderful in this as he was in "All Quiet..." Bickford is always Bickford but in this he is truly in character. And who can deny Moorehead? Direction is flawless as is the casting. The score is gripping.