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Reviews
The Glass Menagerie (1966)
Dreadful
I came upon this mid-movie on TCM. I've seen the Hepburn and Woodward versions as well as Cherry Jones on stage. This was unwatchable. Shirley Booth, normally a magnificent actress was horribly miscast. She was simply not believable as a faded southern belle. She was incredible in Come Back Little Sheba. In Menagerie, she's simply dreadful.
Hal Holbrook did a respectable job as Tom, and the reliable Pat Hingle did a fine job. Barbara Loden was adequate.
The set conveyed the appropriate claustrophobic atmosphere, but the costumes were far from period. The lime green dress Booth wore? Whose idea was that?
Very disappointed.
The Twilight of the Golds (1996)
Makes no sense
I recently read the excellent play on which this movie is based. I was looking forward to watching the movie, but after reading comments, I will not watch it.
A happy ending? They keep the baby? What the hell does "The Twilight of the Golds" mean? It means the end of the Gold family. It means that after this generation, there will be no more Golds. As noted in other spoiler comments, in the play, they opt to abort, there are complications and she has a hysterectomy.
No more babies.
Should have renamed it "A Narrow Escape for the Golds". Pathetic.
Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
Excellent noir with weak ending
This film is a pleasure for the eyes, and a pleasure for those who enjoy good acting. Robert Ryan, inconsistent southern drawl notwithstanding, delivers another exceptional performance. Others have complained that he was too old for the part. I feel his age added to the character's desperation, the need to take on this caper as his importunities may be running out. This allows some sympathy and depth for what could have been a two-dimensional racist character.
This depth extends to the other protagonists as well. Ed Begley's character also realizes his time is running out. His manipulation of Belafonte shows the lengths he is willing to go to, giving a harder edge to his otherwise avuncular portrayal.
Desperation also drives Belafonte's character. His acting only seems adequate when paired with heavyweights Ryan & Belafonte.
Gloria Grahame never disappoints except when she gets so little screen time. That said, more screen time wouldn't have advanced the plot.
This film is worth watching twice to pick up small bits of business and non-verbal acting, especially from Ryan who conveyed much simply by a change of facial expression.