A complicated production which went through rewrites, recasting, retakes, lost a ton of money, suffered from the death of the DP Joseph August during filming, and yet somehow emerges as a totally distinctive, strange and atmospheric film which doesn't really have an equal. So battered about by it, Selznick semi-retired to Europe afterwards.
I've a feeling there's quite a lot going on here - it's about creativity and the creative process, loving and being loved, has a tangible Irish sub-text and a mystical / fantasy flavour (the girl may not exist at all). I can't help feeling that the art gallery owner, played by Ethel Barrymore is Jennie (even though she can't possibly be). There's no other film quite like it.
Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, David Wayne, Cecil Kellaway, Lillian Gish, Florence Bates, Felix Bressart, Robert Dudley. Debussey adapted by Dimitri Tiomkin. The editing - which weirdly isn't credited - was by William Morgan and Gerard Wilson. The storm scene is still incredible.
I remember a reviewer once saying it had a fair bit in common with Vertigo. After Hitch had worked with Selznick I think it's highly probable that he did watch this film.
 |
| Good example of Joe August's brilliant lighting. It looks like Jennifer's fading from view |
One of Buñuel's favourite films, see here.
No comments:
Post a Comment