This site is devoted to the love of classic movies. What qualifies as a classic film or movie is somewhat subjective. There are certain films which endure because they strike an emotional chord long after their initial release. For example, a movie like "Casablanca" (1942) would qualify as a classic under that definition.
Laura (1944) is set among New York City’s upper crust, with Detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigating the murder of beautiful advertising executive Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). The suspects are some of her closest friends and associates including fiancé (Vincent Price), aunt (Judith Anderson), and mentor (Clifton Webb).
When production on Laura started, no one believed that the end product would be worth seeing. From the beginning the project was problematic. Arguments between studio boss Darryl Zanuck and the original director, Rouben Mamoulian ended in Mamoulian being fired. Zanuck then assigned Otto Preminger, already the film’s producer, to be its director too. The only problem: Preminger had limited experience as a movie director.
Under Preminger’s supervision, what began as a fairly ordinary murder mystery, turned out to be a critical and box office success. Tierney in the title role became a superstar and was forever identified with the beautiful, enigmatic Laura Hunt. Andrews, as Detective Mark McPherson, established himself as a major star and popular leading man. Webb, who hadn’t made a movie since the early days of talking pictures, earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role as Waldo Lydecker. Thomas M. Pryor, in his October 12, 1944 New York Times review called Laura “a top-drawer mystery.”
With some of the sharpest and wittiest dialogue ever recorded on film, Laura set the standard for 1940s film noir. Andrews’s portrayal of McPherson became a prototype for what would become known as the hard-boiled detective, influencing a generation of movie actors. Pryor from the Times put it this way: “Mr. Andrews is fast proving himself to be a solidly persuasive performer, a sort of younger-edition Spencer Tracy.”
The musical score by David Raksin is one of the most hauntingly beautiful movie themes ever recorded and will forever be associated with the enigmatic Tierney.
Laura trivia
Vincent Price thought this was the best movie he ever made.
David Raskin's famous film score wasn't nominated for an Academy Award.
Jennifer Jones and Hedy Lamarr were both offered the role of Laura but turned it down.
Gene Tierney, knowing that she wasn't the first choice was reluctant to take the part.
Joseph LaShelle won an Academy Award for his black and white cinematography.
Click HERE to watch the film on Internet Archive. You can play the film on your laptop or phone. If you have an HDMI cable, you can hook it up to your TV.
Click HERE to join the discussion on August 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation with a link to join the discussion on Zoom.
Discussion questions
Laura is considered one of the top films noir of all time. Do you think it deserves that reputation?
Some critics upon the film's release thought that Gene Tierney was miscast. Do you agree with that assessment?
Did David Raskin's score help the movie narrative?
The film is filled with great performances; did one performance stand out to you?
Where you surprised by the plot twists?
Do you think Waldo Lydecker was in love with Laura?
He Walked by Night
(1948) is an American film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker and an uncredited
Anthony Mann. The film stars Richard Basehart and Scott Brady. Others in the
cast include Roy Roberts, Whit Bissell, James Cardwell, Dorothy Adams, and Jack
Webb. The cinematography is by the legendary John Alton.
Set in Los Angeles, California, the film is based on the
real-life crime spree by Edwin “Machine-Gun” Walker. Walker, a former police department
employee and World War II veteran committed a series of burglaries, robberies,
and shootouts in the Los Angeles area between 1945 and 1946.
Office Rob Rawlings (John McGuire), a Los Angeles patrolman,
on his way home, stops a man whom he thinks might be a burglar. Roy Morgan/Martin
(Basehart) shoots the patrolman and mortally wounds him. Thus begins the cat
and mouse game between Morgan and Sgt. Marty Brennan (Brady) and Captain Breen
(Roberts).
How many lives will be in danger while Roy walks by night?
Richard Basehart
Albert L. Werker
(1896 – 1975) was an American film director who got his start during the silent
era. He continued working into the sound era, mostly directing B-pictures. Two
A-pictures he directed include The House of
Rothschild (1934) and Kidnapped
(1938) starring Warner Baxter and Freddie Bartholomew. In the late-1940s,
Werker signed on with Eagle-Lion Films where he directed Repeat Performance (1947) starring Louis Hayward, Joan Leslie, and
Richard Basehart.
Richard Basehart (1914 - 1984) was an American actor who
worked steadily in film and television. Basehart starred in several films noirs
of the late 1940s and early 1950s. He also had a lead role in director Federico
Fellini’s La Strada (1954). Other film roles include Moby Dick (1956), Decision Before Dawn (1951), The Brothers Karamazov (1958). Baby Boomers would remember Basehart
as Admiral Harriman Nelson on Irwin Allen’s science fiction television series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964 -1968).
Scott Brady (1924 – 1985) was an American film and television actor
who achieved fame in a series of movie westerns. Brady followed his older
brother Lawrence Tierney to Hollywood. He studied acting at The Beverly Hills
Dramatic School under the G.I. Bill of Rights. Brady made his movie debut in
1948 and worked steadily in film until his death. His last film role was
in Gremlins (1984). Other films featuring Brady include Johnny
Guitar opposite Joan Crawford and Sterling Hayden, Gentlemen
Marry Brunettes (1955), co-starring Jeanne Crain and Jane
Russell, Marooned (1969), Doctor’s Wives (1971),
and The China Syndrome (1979). Brady guest starred on many
television shows starting in the 1950s to the mid-80s. He was offered the role
of Archie Bunker in All in the Family but turned it down! He
appeared on the show as Joe Foley for four episodes. He also guest starred
on Laverne & Shirley as Shirley Feeney’s father.
He Walked by Night trivia
During the filming, Jack Webb became acquainted with the
movie’s technical advisor, Sgt. Marty Wynn. It was from this relationship that Dragnet was born.
This was the first film to use the Los Angeles underground
sewer and storm-drain system and its canals and tunnels as a backdrop.
The film featured Jack Webb’s first credited screen
appearance.
Part of the film was directed by Anthony Mann who was
uncredited.
Both Webb and Scott Brady would become popular TV cops. Webb
in Dragnet and Brady who played a
retired officer and bar owner on Police
Story.
Click HERE to join the online discussion on April 8, 2024,
at 6:30 p.m. Central Time. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation and a
link to join the discussion on Zoom.
Discussion questions
What did you think of the procedural style of the film?
Did you enjoy seeing what Los Angeles looked like in 1948?
Did anything surprise you?
The performances of the actors were praised when the film
was released, especially that of Richard Basehart as Roy Morgan/Martin. What
did you think of Basehart’s performance? Did any other performances impress
you?
During the late-1940s, procedural crime dramas were popular.
Did this film remind you of other procedural films you’ve seen?
