I love this film and I love that you wrote about it in this context with Stella as the Loser. I'd say she's maybe the biggest loser in a film full of losers, as she lost her very life. Stella means, approximately, that she's the "shining star" in this drippy hick town tucked into a dark corner of the Bay area. She's world-class gorgeous but can't be bothered to buy a bus ticket to Hollywood or to enter a beauty pageant to maybe win a trip to Hollywood. Join a modeling agency. Learn stenography or some other stereotypical, narrow skill that was open to women. Be a teacher, a nurse... Something. Instead, she's waiting for a meal ticket to come through Pop's Diner to wisk her away to a life of luxury. She's not even trying to get a job on the good side of town where some folks do have money and her odds would maybe be improved? For an ambitious gal she's not very motivated; or she's motivated but not very ambitious. She's slinging hash at Pop's and occasionally turning a trick for some extra dough or trinkets, and that's the unspoken subtext here given the constraints of the censorship code. And therein lies her "loserability factor". She trucked with losers and lost, instead of really doing a bit of work to rise up. Compare her to the ambitious and ever-scheming Amber. Now there's a girl who was constantly working the ropes in order to lay down in the most posh bed. Amber was a loser, too, in the end, but along the way she had some big wins because she worked at it. Stella just wants to rub her sore feet and be fawned over by losers. Yet, like you, I adore her; but I disagree that she's "good". I think she's flawed at best, but mostly kinda rotten. She's a user. She's using her looks to get ahead (which is OK) but she's not using them very effectively. Not like... Linda Darnell did! I think Darnell was a better actress than she got credit for, and that can be seen in films like No Way Out and... Dang it, a Western where she's trapped in an army fort under seige, I can' t recall the name. And the film with Rex Harrison, too. Darnell was a true star even if Stella wasn't.
Yes she's so good in that film! The western I mentioned is Two Flags West. The film with Rex Harrison is Unfaithfully Yours. Others are Island of Desire, My Darling Clementine, and her star vehicle Forever Amber. I am pretty sure she is in two John Brahm films, The Lodger and Hangover Square. She is exceptionally good in the latter film. That "period Noir" could provide another "Loser" profile for Linda but perhaps would be more on-target for Laird Cregar's portrayal as a doomed genius composer. In the end, his genius is more for decomposition! Linda's wily coquette is what makes the film churn, though.
Linda D is also very good in an unduly-obscure film called The 13th Letter directed by Otto P. It badly needs restoration. It's on YT and OK ru and maybe Internet Archive. Not sure it made it to official DVD but can be found on collector sites. It's a reworking of a French film called Le Corbeau (the Raven). Great cast but a bit stilted and hokey at times. It deeply explores loneliness and the grim struggle to find love & intimacy. The major metaphor has to do with "sickness/health" of people, couples, and society, and the "sickness" leads to "crippling" loneliness, cruelty & despair. It sits somewhere between Noir and Melodrama, so maybe it's a Melo-Noir :) Have you seen it?
Folks I found a site that has been helpful for my own interest in noir and organizing my thoughts about it, and helping me to de-tangle when plots or titles get mixed up. Here I can also cet down the names of great character actors too. Check it out: https://heartofnoir.com/
I love this film and I love that you wrote about it in this context with Stella as the Loser. I'd say she's maybe the biggest loser in a film full of losers, as she lost her very life. Stella means, approximately, that she's the "shining star" in this drippy hick town tucked into a dark corner of the Bay area. She's world-class gorgeous but can't be bothered to buy a bus ticket to Hollywood or to enter a beauty pageant to maybe win a trip to Hollywood. Join a modeling agency. Learn stenography or some other stereotypical, narrow skill that was open to women. Be a teacher, a nurse... Something. Instead, she's waiting for a meal ticket to come through Pop's Diner to wisk her away to a life of luxury. She's not even trying to get a job on the good side of town where some folks do have money and her odds would maybe be improved? For an ambitious gal she's not very motivated; or she's motivated but not very ambitious. She's slinging hash at Pop's and occasionally turning a trick for some extra dough or trinkets, and that's the unspoken subtext here given the constraints of the censorship code. And therein lies her "loserability factor". She trucked with losers and lost, instead of really doing a bit of work to rise up. Compare her to the ambitious and ever-scheming Amber. Now there's a girl who was constantly working the ropes in order to lay down in the most posh bed. Amber was a loser, too, in the end, but along the way she had some big wins because she worked at it. Stella just wants to rub her sore feet and be fawned over by losers. Yet, like you, I adore her; but I disagree that she's "good". I think she's flawed at best, but mostly kinda rotten. She's a user. She's using her looks to get ahead (which is OK) but she's not using them very effectively. Not like... Linda Darnell did! I think Darnell was a better actress than she got credit for, and that can be seen in films like No Way Out and... Dang it, a Western where she's trapped in an army fort under seige, I can' t recall the name. And the film with Rex Harrison, too. Darnell was a true star even if Stella wasn't.
Fantastic. Amazing commentary! And yes, Linda Darnell was and still is very underrated. She was just great. Loved her in A Letter to Three Wives.
Yes she's so good in that film! The western I mentioned is Two Flags West. The film with Rex Harrison is Unfaithfully Yours. Others are Island of Desire, My Darling Clementine, and her star vehicle Forever Amber. I am pretty sure she is in two John Brahm films, The Lodger and Hangover Square. She is exceptionally good in the latter film. That "period Noir" could provide another "Loser" profile for Linda but perhaps would be more on-target for Laird Cregar's portrayal as a doomed genius composer. In the end, his genius is more for decomposition! Linda's wily coquette is what makes the film churn, though.
Amazing. I will check out Two Flags West! Hangover Sq is a good shout.
Linda D is also very good in an unduly-obscure film called The 13th Letter directed by Otto P. It badly needs restoration. It's on YT and OK ru and maybe Internet Archive. Not sure it made it to official DVD but can be found on collector sites. It's a reworking of a French film called Le Corbeau (the Raven). Great cast but a bit stilted and hokey at times. It deeply explores loneliness and the grim struggle to find love & intimacy. The major metaphor has to do with "sickness/health" of people, couples, and society, and the "sickness" leads to "crippling" loneliness, cruelty & despair. It sits somewhere between Noir and Melodrama, so maybe it's a Melo-Noir :) Have you seen it?
No! Sounds great, thanks for the shout, will definitely try and watch it :D
Let me know what you think!
Linda Darnell R.I.P.
Folks I found a site that has been helpful for my own interest in noir and organizing my thoughts about it, and helping me to de-tangle when plots or titles get mixed up. Here I can also cet down the names of great character actors too. Check it out: https://heartofnoir.com/
Enjoyed the film. I guess after Preminger s “ Laura” it was a letdown but still a good film. All good performances.