The film-noir mystery/romance Laura (1944); from the novel by Vera Caspary. Gene Tierney as Laura Hunt
Dana Andrews as Detective Lieutenant Mark McPherson
Clifton Webb as Waldo Lydecker
Vincent Price as Shelby Carpenter
Judith Anderson as Mrs. Ann Treadwell The drifting music of Laura melts us into the portrait of a murdered beauty. We are infatuated. Vincent price walks into the scene and all we see is his usual handsome, tall and most charming presence. Judith Anderson claims your attention as she did in another unforgettable movie "Rebecca." Laura is cool and ravishing. After all though, I was subdued by Clifton Web, as the splendidly audacious Waldo Lydecker. His words are choice and sauted in lemon juice; a wonderful contrast to Laura. I must agree with him, when gum-chewing Detective Lieutenant Mark McPherson has become infatuated with the portrait of Laura, he sneers "Have you ever dreamed of Laura as your wife, sitting by your side at the policeman's ball; or in the bleachers... or listening to the heroic story of how you got a silver shinbone from a battle with a gangster? (pauses) ...I see you have." Laura's image does not transform into a housewife. As to the symbols of prosperity, I selected these: Laura sought out the famous columnist Waldo Lydecker: She inadvertently boosted her young advertising career by seeking Mr Lydecker's paid endorsement for a classic fountain pen. He responds with "I don't use a pen. I write with a goose quill dipped in venom." Waldo Lydecker's personal symbols ensure he is remembered: "She became as well known as Waldo Lydecker's walking stick and his white carnation." Waldo's apartment: His priceless glass collection his marble bath. He smoothly remarks "It's lavish, but I call it home." Rarity: We scan Waldo's rich apartment and see a cream grandfather clock. Waldo narrates that there are only two in existence. The other in is Laura's apartment. Stingingly romantic music: The theme song "Laura," (David Raksin) is haunting, sophisticated; and never leaves you. A portrait of beauty: Mark is mesmerized by Laura's oil portrait (in reality, a photograph painted over for the movie). Enter the room, and you are spellbound. It states who she is. Furnishings that relate to the person's standard of living: Waldo remarks to Mark while viewing Laura's apartment: "Look around. Is this the home of a dame?" He sizes up the untailored detective and adds: "Ever know a woman who wasn't a doll or a dame?" Waldo is a prestigious writer and is seen dining at noted establishments: "The character of Waldo Lydecker appears to be based on the columnist, broadcaster, and "New Yorker" theater critic Alexander Woollcott, a famous wit who, like Waldo, was fascinated by murder. Woollcott always dined at the Algonquin Hotel, where Laura first approaches Waldo" (quoted from IMDb.com). Two symbols in the movie that are not of prosperity, but rather a casual mind, are those belonging to Mark; chewing gum and a hand-held baseball game that he says keeps his nerves steady. The movie ends with Laura and Mark in love but it doesn't seem like a natural match. Note: The extended version includes high fashion scenes, glitzy vogue clubs and restaurants plus the making over of Laura into a notable beauty. These were deleted from the original, pronounced as being too glamorous for war-time. (By the end of the war people were craving luxury). Full graphics version here. |
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