tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post184014691716073774..comments2024-01-27T00:19:36.912-08:00Comments on Coleman's Corner in Cinema...: Niagara (1953)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...http://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-51450275477659754252009-01-25T18:53:00.000-08:002009-01-25T18:53:00.000-08:00Thank you, Alison. I know you're a fan of Joseph C...Thank you, Alison. I know you're a fan of Joseph Cotten and he is indeed quite terrific here. That scene you highlight is truly wonderful. :-)Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-2301069941627491382009-01-25T14:35:00.000-08:002009-01-25T14:35:00.000-08:00This is a great movie. I love Joseph Cotten in eve...This is a great movie. I love Joseph Cotten in everything and the scene where he sees her lipstick after killing her and is struck with remorse is just amazing.<BR/><BR/>A thorough and erudite write-up as always. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-72963409198880739552009-01-15T00:13:00.000-08:002009-01-15T00:13:00.000-08:00Sorry for misspelling your name in my post as well...Sorry for misspelling your name in my post as well. It's not every evening one receives a post from a Champion Dog Breeder!Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-74399099230970470002009-01-15T00:11:00.000-08:002009-01-15T00:11:00.000-08:00Phillip, thank you for the comment. I probably sho...Phillip, thank you for the comment. <BR/><BR/>I probably should not have used the term "limpidly pellucid" because in many ways they do mean the same thing. But not entirely; and that is why I linked them, though it was probably ill-advised to do so. Limpid and pellucid can certainly both mean "translucent," but the former usually connotes calmness, while the latter is more constricted to meaning simply "translucent." So I viewed the wording as pointing to a calm, clear dream.<BR/><BR/>When I say that the film's "oneiric qualities" unmask themselves to describe the nightmare, I simply mean that the film's moony beauty, to be found in many scenes and shots, are used to create/describe/form a nightmare. A little like, say, the lovely, somewhat surreal and gorgeous shots of San Francisco in <I>Vertigo</I>--since I brought that film up in this review--<I>describe</I> a nightmare, or the qualities thereof do. (Like a visually beautiful scary film, such as to be found in Italian <I>giallo</I>.)<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry I did not word these thoughts as well--or as limpidly?--as I would have liked to myself, but thank you again for the comment and kind words.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-78074288287808104522009-01-14T23:13:00.000-08:002009-01-14T23:13:00.000-08:00"...where the oneiric qualities of Niagara unmask ..."...where the oneiric qualities of Niagara unmask themselves to describe not a limpidly pellucid dream but a terrifying nightmare."<BR/><BR/>Kudos. I really liked that sentence until I looked up the definitions of those words.<BR/><BR/>First off, "limpid" and "pellucid" are synonyms, so that's like saying "translucently translucent."<BR/><BR/>Secondly, how is the process of unmasking those oneiric qualities capable of describing anything?<BR/><BR/>Thirdly, "oneiric" already means dreamlike, which would be inclusive of the nightmare you mention at the end. So, just to get this straight, the process of unmasking dreamlike qualities describes a nightmare? How exactly does it describe a nightmare? Is this a nightmare where dreamlike qualities describe the nightmare by unmasking themselves? What kind of linguistic clusterbonk are you up to?<BR/><BR/>That said, I really liked your post.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>Philip Brightmore<BR/>Champion Dog BreederRalphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955789596630669007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-81271443535710177062009-01-14T16:37:00.000-08:002009-01-14T16:37:00.000-08:00Thank you for the effusively kind remarks about th...Thank you for the effusively kind remarks about the review and thoroughly cerebral commentary about the film itself, Sam.<BR/><BR/><I>Niagara</I> is an interesting film, and though it is considered something of a "minor noir," it does have certain, singular qualities. Sometimes it is referred to as the first noir in color, though <I>Leave Her to Heaven</I> is in actuality "the first color film noir." <BR/><BR/>Thank you again, Sam!Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-37207790582111132212009-01-14T16:31:00.000-08:002009-01-14T16:31:00.000-08:00Where NIAGARA earns its place in the broader filmi...Where NIAGARA earns its place in the broader filmic fiefdom of noir is in its psychology, and in its internecine conflicts between Cotten's dupe and Monroe's seductress, and between Peters' intrigued wife and Cotten's seemingly malevolent intentions toward her. Irony is employed, free from cynicism."<BR/><BR/>"NIAGARA follows the noirish pattern of sending its protagonist into an entrapping web of betrayal and murder, spurred by lust and greed, giving the protagonist an opportunity to right the course, only to see his choices continually backfire and drag him down into the quicksand of anguish all the more forcefully."<BR/><BR/>These two statements by Alexander Coleman are the most crucial in his stellar consideration of Henry Hathaway's NIAGARA starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten, as they validate the picture within "film noir specifics" while still qualifying as a "lurid 50's melodrama" as well. Indeed, the issues of entrapment, murder, lust, greed and betrayal are quintessential noir ingredients, in addition to the employment of "psychology."<BR/>Hathaway, a journeyman director primarily known I think for an early Gary Cooper film, THE LIVES OF A BENGAL LANCER, a popular Western, THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER, the widescreen epic, HOW THE WEST WAS WON, the 1970 potboiler AIRPORT, and the film that won John Wayne his only Oscar, TRUE GRIT. Mr. Coleman cites the director's "keen visual aptitude" and "arresting compositional, stylistic technique," which includes the effective device of "water through a frame" in this film. I have always thought the film's beautiful cinematography by Joseph Macdonald, which includes beautiful compositions of the famed 'bell tower' sequence (rightly compared by Mr. Coleman to Hitchcock's VERTIGO, and the subject in recent weeks here at Dark City Dames 'Noirish City' where there was even an excellent essay on the comparison) was the film's strongest suit. The technicolor is ravishing. But as Mr. Coleman rightly points out, NIAGARA is a flawed effort, rescued by its use of the camera, its deft psychology and some strong performances.<BR/><BR/>Again, our Bay area film expert has served himself magnificently with another essential film noir essay.<BR/><BR/>January 14, 2009 6:28 PM<BR/><BR/>COPIED AND PASTED FROM DARK CITY DAME'S "NOIRISH CITY" BLOGSITEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-63556521497019853002009-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:002009-01-14T13:10:00.000-08:00Thank you very, very much, Dark City Dame! I'm gla...Thank you very, very much, Dark City Dame! I'm glad you enjoyed the review. It is a beautiful film to look at, if nothing else, and I did enjoy the three main performances as directed by Hathaway. Always an honor to have you quote pieces of the review in your comment, haha.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, too, mc. I actually caught this on Turner Classic Movies Sunday evening as well, recording it and watching it late that same evening. <BR/><BR/>sanjay, I'm sorry, but I can't help you there. Just remember--Amanda is probably not even her real name.Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-82106275488873614132009-01-13T21:33:00.000-08:002009-01-13T21:33:00.000-08:00hi i need a shitload of lime right nowhi i need a shitload of lime right nowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-90850946371581489272009-01-13T17:31:00.000-08:002009-01-13T17:31:00.000-08:00This is a fine review, Alexander, of a good movie....This is a fine review, Alexander, of a good movie. I just saw this from Turner Classic Movies a couple of nights ago. You're right, Joseph Cotten is excellent. And Marilyn Monroe gives a believable performance. I look forward to more noir reviews from you this month.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4342369910596581403.post-1109277758213644462009-01-13T16:45:00.000-08:002009-01-13T16:45:00.000-08:00Hi! Alexander,Alexander said, "Those foreground-ba...Hi! Alexander,<BR/><BR/>Alexander said, "Those foreground-background struggles usually tell two different character stories in one shot, and Niagara displays this stylistic technique. Hathaway's affinity for water and water-based settings such as this film and (23 Paces to Baker Street,)...<BR/><BR/><B> Btw, I haven't watched 23 Paces to Baker Street yet, but I am quite sure that our "Man in Canada"...not Havana! have a copy! "The Dame"</B>) <BR/><BR/>...is interesting to consider as well. He often shoots the background water through a frame, a window or some kind of portal—frequently in close approximation to the characters, drawing the connection between character and setting that helps to distinguish his admittedly workmanlike approach to certain parts of filmmaking, such as pacing."<BR/><BR/>Alexander, I read your review last night...(Because "The Dame" never sleep(s)!)<BR/>...While reading your article, I really like the fact, that you pointed out director Henry Hathaway's "stylistic technique"<BR/>when you get "time" check out the trailer for the 1953 film <B>Niagara</B> and in the "final" frame actress Marilyn Monroe and Niagara Falls are "connected" an excellant example,like you said, "of Hatheway, <BR/>"drawing the connection between character and setting that helps to distinguish his admittedly workmanlike approach to certain parts of filmmaking, such as pacing."<BR/><BR/><B>Alexander also said,"Niagara is a beautiful, Technicolor film!"...Alexander, I agree with you a 100%... A wonderful use of technicolour by Hathaway and Co,.</B><BR/>Tks, A.C.ratatouille's archiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369967577590947967noreply@blogger.com