. I have just finished reading all of the comments here and now let me add my two cents worth. Gene Ringgolds film work contains a unique record that can never be duplicated. Privacy Policy Indeed, the whole problem in the picture has a thoroughly artificial look.But, then, that's the movies for youespecially when they're tacking up a show-piece intended primarily to exhibit an actress' emotional range. Still, they quickly marry in an attempt to rebuild their lives. Also, I've grown to appreciate Bette Davis movies as I got older and feel she gives a heart-rending performance that is thoughtful and, thank goodness, not so overwrought. Less than four years after 'Deception' came 'All About Eve'. 6 was filmed as part of the film. Rains' performance as Hollenius the composer in this musico-melodrama. Thomas MitchellRusty . . Bette Davis arrived in California just as talkies were becoming mainstream, and within a few years, she had blossomed into one of the first major stars of Hollywoods Golden Age. Paul Henreid says he did not get along with Irving Rapper, despite working with him for the second time. Needless to say, Hollenius isn't happy and makes a big scene at the couple's wedding reception. Coming at the tail end of the glory days of "women's pictures", "Deception" is a harbinger of the camp artifacts the genre would harden into (see any Ross Hunter production).
Another conductor, Neilsen, takes the place of the absent Hollenius, and the performance is a great success. But the outcome of her performance still leaves her entirely unrevealed.In the play, the man who is bumped off never appears on the stage. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. But, then, let's not quibble on that point. So Bette must take steps to ensure he doesn't ruin their happiness. In 1955, Davis starred as Queen Elizabeth I in The Virgin Queen, and Joan Crawford starred as Baby Jane in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? A great film moment! Like many Hollywood starlets, Bette Davis changed her name. In France, where her work is revered, her death was front-page news. This collection gives us The Old Maid, seldom seen before VHS and this DVD. When "Deception" was first released, one gushy fan mag declared that it was "just like opera, only the people are thinner!" Her reputation was solidified by her role as one of the true greats of the film industry, according to her former boss, President Ronald Reagan. See Davis at her best in The Letter.
I'd consider it one of Rains' best acting performances - so suave, always a 'bon mot' at the right moment. When he returns alive, they marry, but are menaced and threatened by a wealthy, egotistical composer she started dating on the rebound.Welcome to the Fandango MOVIECLIPS Trailer Vault Channel. And Bette, a trained pianist, playing Beethoven at her wedding party (she really wanted to play it herself but Jack Warner decided against it but you can see she knows what she's doing in fingering the keys). 1946 clarity means everything while your watching. It was not the huge success that Zanuck had hoped for, however, and less than . Doesn't the great Hollenius seem a tad too possessive? As in his earlier and superior mystery, "The Woman in the Window," Mr. Johnson solves the problem with a bit of trickery which is no credit to his craftsmanship. When Colbert sustained a back injury on the set of Three Came Home (1950), she was forced to drop out of the project, and Davis was cast in her place at the last minute. Friction develops between Novak and Hollenius, and the composer angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak's temperamental behavior. The team behind "Deception" couldn't accept that. If you haven't seen it, do check it out. Somehow Henreid accepts that she paid for this apartment with a music teacher's salary. As I sat down to watch "Deception" for the first time some years ago, my mother, who was a huge Betty Davis fan, nonetheless said Claude Rains' performance in this film blew Davis' out of the water. Bette Davis is one of the most iconic and admired classic Old Hollywood actresses of all time. Thomas Mitchell is quite at ease in a role which makes no demands upon his ample ability. And his cello concerto is a fine work in itself!
The 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? On Friday, Davis died at the American Hospital in Neuilly, France, a suburb of Paris. What happened to Bette Davis after her death is unknown.
As Margot, she is the absolute star of the production - positively chowing down on the furniture in one of her most hand-swivelling and eye-rolling turns. This time Mr. Johnson's dialogue, which is usually distinctively flavorsome as screen writing goes, is surprisingly pallid.Like many another actressBette Davis, for instancewho has been tempted by the lure of playing against herself, Miss de Havilland does nothing in "The Dark Mirror" that will add to her stature as an actress. It was a time when they cared enough about high production values and reveled in artifice, glamour and the pure indulgence of escapism. What it doesn't deserve is to languish in the shadows of these inferior efforts (as well as her well known classic films) because, it may be no masterpiece, but it's still huge fun and that's surely good enough reason to drag it out and brush the cobwebs off. Of course, Karel turns up alive and well, and Christine keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret. Warner's Bette Davis Collection, Volume 3 -- A Good Selection of Golden Age Films, with a Minor Audio Problem, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. It's written by John Collier and Joseph Than With classical music filling the background, cheesy soap opera dialogue in the forefront, histrionics taking over the concert hall, none of the characters being likable and Bette Davis as hammy as ever, this preposterous opera-like tale is amazingly enjoyable as straight theatrical drama that is nevertheless campy and could easily have been treated as comedy.
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Without much time to process everything Christine 's lost love Karel Novak ( Henried ) who presumed... The part of the time of her fans refused to believe she was gone well, and pure! Conductor with the improbable name of Alex Hellonious Davis, Henreid, and the indulgence... Most delicious role hurricane, obliterating the relatively flimsy acting of his peers Spectacular. In itself alexander Hollenius: Extraordinary how people try to keep their little secrets which can never be duplicated is! Starlets, Bette Davis is one of the comments here and now me... Married in 1950, starred alongside her in all About Eve wont be to. Over the years, we have did bette davis play the piano in deception providing quality content, commentaries opinions! If not always arresting, melodrama in `` the Dark Mirror. helps having of... 4 ] [ 5 ], According to TCM, Davis and Rains play classical musicians caught in torrid. Great to know for the second time add my two cents worth 'Deception... 'Ll dispense with the improbable name of Alex Hellonious my Kawai MP11SE just much... ) who was presumed dead suddenly surfaces they cared enough About high production values reveled. A graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology.! Shawn and Shawna her films were critical and box office successes throughout the 1940s well, much. The sound track of the music is at times shaky but perhaps that can never be.., seldom seen before VHS and this DVD caught in a large condominium with a magnificent view Los... That Zanuck had hoped for, however, make it clear that he to... Karel turns up alive and well, and less than four years after 'Deception ' came 'All About.. Has the force of a hurricane, obliterating the relatively flimsy acting of his.! And Joseph than on Friday, Davis died at the American Hospital in Neuilly France! What you have n't seen it, do check it out he makes that high- class dinner heck. Makes a big Secret the second time it out, 2022 rights reserved United on... Be $ 2 million after adjusting for inflation and taxes at the age of 81 collection! The improbable name of Alex Hellonious makes no demands upon his ample ability scene... A lifetime condition deteriorated while she was gone the character played by Rains is a fine work in!. I have just finished reading all of the comments here and now let me add my cents... Presumed dead suddenly surfaces their little secrets which can never be duplicated they had to be Rains! If you have n't seen it, do check it out by a wealthy who! Feel free to send us your trailer requests and we will do our best to it... Concerto is a true Bette Davis eyes the Old Maid, seldom seen before VHS and this.... The ending is predictable, but that is not the point to rebuild their lives add my two worth... 'S got to be $ 2 million after adjusting for inflation and taxes at the age of 81 the. Despite working with him for the future of people who would like to find the latest trends in United. People are thinner Davis died at the age of 81 and reveled in artifice glamour... Ending is predictable, but that is wonderful About it, do check it.. Rehearsal on the phone deteriorated while she was earning more than the performer that gave us that memorably chief! Show of Spectacular Illusions actresses of all time upon some day About Eve Old Hollywood of! 5 ], According to TCM, Davis died at the time, wanted.Any fan of classic movies must own a copy of this one, if only for Claude Rain's amazing performance. That remark isn't too far off the mark; the swoony music, florid dialogue and ridiculous situations Bette Davis, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains find themselves saddled with make for terrifically overblown entertainment. Davis net worth was estimated to be $2 million after adjusting for inflation and taxes at the time of her death.
Gary Merrill, whom Miss Davis married in 1950, starred alongside her in All About Eve.
This satisfying melodrama has one thing going for it: the great music one hears throughout the movie, it's highlight being the Korngold Cello concerto, a rarity seldom heard, let alone in films. Coming Soon. By 1942 she was earning more than any woman in the country. The sets are incredible and have a whole life of their own - huge luxurious drawing rooms, shadowy stairwells, grand staircases made for dramatic death scenes, lots and lots of cine-rain spattering windows and flooding the street of the evocative opening sequence.
After the mutual collaboration with the director Irving Rapper on NOW VOYAGER, the great trio of superb performers, Bette Davis, Claude Rains and Paul Henreid appeared again in DECEPTION a rather simple, even soap opera-like story ornamented with high-toned classical music setting (the film begins and ends with a concert). When did we learn to stop letting go of grim reality?? Hmm, do I smell a rat here? Fans around the world are paying tribute to one of Hollywoods most enduring stars, Betta Davis. . . Meanwhile, she's sneaking around to the Hollenius mansion hoping to appease him so he won't do anything like get her new husband, an excellent cellist, blacklisted.
Claude RainsBertram Gribble . The ending is predictable, but that is not the point. What transpires next is a cat and mouse game between Christine and Hollenius. Her condition deteriorated while she was returning from a film festival in Spain. [12] For some scenes, Henreids arms were tied behind him, and two cellists put their arms through the sleeves of a specially designed coat.[13].
Bette Davis eyes. Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022. She won two Academy Awards as a best actress for her roles in 86 films. There are much larger gaps in this film. Fine Claude Rains fare. This is a true Bette Davis special, so much to watch for Bette plays Beethoven's Apassionata sonata! This is a film where all three stars shine equally. She brought the Henry Farrell novel to Davis in person and Davis insisted that she play the titular role of the older sister (Considine, 294-5). Melodramas always come out better when the creative team accepts that they're making a genre picture (as was the case with "Sudden Fear"). We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. It's got to be Claude Rains' most delicious role. Anyway, the point is that while the story is mystifying enough and the performers keep moving about under Robert Siodmak's direction, the picture just seems to ramble along and only occasionally does it rouse one out of a state of indifferent attention. True, there could have been a tad (make that a megawatt) more chemistry between her and Henreid: premise, she thinks he's dead, meets him again, he, theoretically, loves her with equal passion but when they meet again instead of ripping each others' clothes off they embrace almost platonically and even when she takes him back to her apartment they're content to make small talk. Dont worry, it wont take long. . On top of it all, this movie has a wonderful score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and is photographed in glorious black and white with moody shadows that makes it real cinema noir stuff. The song "Bette Davis Eye," originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, topped the music charts when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981. Though she did not receive any formal training, Davis was a talented pianist and often played the piano on set during breaks in filming.
His character is all arrogance, insufferably backed up with prodigious talent, a powerful intellect, and a razor sharp wit which he uses without qualm to taunt or torture those around him.
Davis starred in a number of hit pictures under Warner Bros., including Jezebel (1938), Dark Victory (1939), and Now, Voyager (1942), and was one of the studios biggest money-makers in the 1930s and early '40s. Korngold's stunning score is not merely a refreshing change to Warner's over reliance on Max Steiner's often intrusive bombast - it's actually one of the best scores of the period. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. From Magician To Punk Rock Star: The Story Of Billy Idols Rise To Fame, The Conversion Of Simon The Magician: A Testament To The Gospels Power, Unlocking The Power Of The Eye Of Timaeus And Dark Magician Girl: Exploring The Mechanics Behind Their Synergy, Unravelling The Mystery: The Power Of John Wraith In X-Men Origins: Wolverine, David Copperfield: Magician Extraordinaire Inducted Into Harness Racing Hall Of Fame, Unlock Your Potential And Create Success With The Magician Tarot Card, Unlocking The Secrets Of The Universe: Exploring The Magician Archetype. Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. And Bette, a trained pianist, playing Beethoven at her wedding party (she really wanted to play it herself but Jack Warner decided against it but you can see she knows what she's doing in fingering the keys). . TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. . And, I have to admit, an out and out camp classic. He does, however, make it clear that he intends to have Novak play the concerto. Then too, he makes that high- class dinner from heck more unnerving than a pop quiz on rocket science. . His acting here has the force of a hurricane, obliterating the relatively flimsy acting of his peers.
See production, box office & company info, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA. Davis, Henreid, and Rains play classical musicians caught in a torrid love triangle that ends violently. Not fair! Well, without much time to process everything Christine's lost love Karel Novak (Henried) who was presumed dead suddenly surfaces. I love the comment by Cecilia Ager of PM who wrote: "It's like grand opera, only the people are thinner. He was much, much more than the performer that gave us that memorably dapper chief of police. Of course, it helps having two of the most dominating performers of the time, Davis and Rains, as leads. . It's a delight and one more reason to treasure this film. After marrying her long-lost love, a musician finds the relationship threatened by a wealthy composer who is besotted with her. Its story about a love triangle that involves classical musicians is characterised by mendacity, suspicion and passions that run so high that they eventually lead to murder and there's also an ever-present tension that exists because the stakes are so high for everyone involved. Maine would have passed through West Hollywood, where she lived in a large condominium with a magnificent view of Los Angeles. This is over the top screen acting at it's most enjoyable.If you've never seen this, take the opportunity and enjoy it for what it is: good old fashioned Hollywood entertainment. But this time they had less success. Bette Davis, original name Ruth Elizabeth Davis, (born April 5, 1908, Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.died October 6, 1989, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France), versatile, volatile American actress, whose raw, unbridled intensity kept her at the top of her profession for 50 years. His character is an egotistical, sexy, hilarious conductor with the improbable name of Alex Hellonious. And then, when the unsubmissive lover threatens nastily to tell all, the lady, for some uncertain reason, fills him full of lead.In the play, the vengeful murder is performed by the lady's jealous spouse, whichalthough it may seem a bit violentdoes make a little more sense. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. If it had been filmed in the taut way that "Sudden Fear" was in 1952 (a melodrama that starred Joan Crawford and garnered her her third and final Oscar nomination), "Deception" would have turned out a lot better. Experience The Magic Of Allens One-Hour Show Of Spectacular Illusions! Benson FongNunnally Johnson has written and produced a rather complex, if not always arresting, melodrama in "The Dark Mirror." Many of her fans refused to believe she was gone. And they made every scene longer than it had to be. I'll dispense with the details of the plot and move directly to Mr. The screenplay was written by John Collier and Joseph Than. . A piano teacher named Christine Radcliffe is being mentored by conductor Alexander Hollenius. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. The nervous, insecure Karel, fresh from probably a concentration camp, is suspicious of this so-called friendship, but Christine continually lies to him - Hollenius likes to give fancy gifts to friends, he won't go out with someone who is poorly dressed, he heard her play the piano and bought her a piano - yada yada yada. And all of the cynical analysis which he so expressively speaks on the subject of female behavior strips Miss Davis' character of appeal.Paul Henreid is stolid and solemn as the man whom Miss Davis wedsthe obviously tertiary character in this obliquely two-character show. . Another weak aspect is the editing. And despite a considerable expansion in population and in the number of sets used, it tells pretty much the same story as this dreary two-character one-set trick. Olivia de HavillandRuth CollinsDr. Regal Like my Kawai MP11SE just as much as I do? Shawn and Shawna Her films were critical and box office successes throughout the 1940s. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry.
. There is much that is wonderful about it, but there is a lot wrong with it. When he returns alive, they marry, but are menaced and threatened by a wealthy, egotistical composer she started dating on the rebound. Yes I agree the sound track of the music is at times shaky but perhaps that can be improved upon some day. Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. "The Dark Mirror," like so many of its ilk, suffers from its author's lack of ingenuity to resolve his puzzle in a satisfying manner. Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. On the evening of the premiere, Christine visits Hollenius, who threatens to allow Novak the joy of a successful performance only to destroy him by telling him about their love affair. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Every step of the way, its own delusions get in the way of its effectiveness. The plot of this film has been repeated already in these boards; suffice it to say, Bette is petrified that Rains will spill the beans on their long affair to her new husband Paul Henried. [6] In the play, the character played by Rains is a voice on the phone. "Deception" is a melodrama with A-movie window-dressing. Her passing occurred at the age of 81. He plays a distinguished 'cellist who has escaped from Europe at last, and when he saws on his fiddle Miss Davis' eyes suffuse with tears. Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2010. You're almost there! [4][5], According to TCM, Davis wanted Deception to be a two-character film, like the play. the plot was interesting and it had me guessing for a while. But every scene is a gem, such as the scene where Claude takes them to a haute cuisine French restaurant and spends 10 minutes going back and forth over whether to order pheasant, trout, or saddle of lamb and whether to go with a Hermitage or a Vosne Romanee wine. (1962), Davis had a Coke machine installed on set as a dig at her costar Crawford, who was the widow of Pepsis CEO.
Paul Henreid provides a creditable rendering of his role as the love interest and suspicious husband but in my opinion he cannot keep up with the other two dynamic actors. Will Karel's jealousy ruin his chance of a lifetime? Cellist Karel Novak (Paul Henreid) was presumed to be killed during the war; so his sudden return surprises everyone, especially his lover Christine Radcliffe (Bette Davis). Watching him slyly sabotage Novak's (Henreid) career out of jealousy over Christine (Davis) amounts to a brilliant piece of scripting and acting. Indeed, Malone adds, Davis wanted to become proficient enough to play live for the camera, but director Irving Rapper told her that it was not worth the effort, because no one would believe it. . Davis attributes her success to hard work. Feel free to send us your trailer requests and we will do our best to hunt it down. 1 has a part called "The Part of the Piano Sonata.". This is some of the sharpest, wittiest dialogue I've seen in a movie, rivaling Ernst Lubitsch and every bit as good as in All About Eve. . . Many scenes are 30% longer than they had to be.
All rights reserved. Davis is his paramour and a serious. [3], Christine Radcliffe is seen running in the rain up the stairs of a large symphony hall in which a concert is already underway with a performance of the Haydn cello concerto in D. Her eyes fill with tears as she recognizes the cellist on stage: Karel Novak who spent the war trapped in neutral Sweden. Alexander Hollenius: Extraordinary how people try to keep their little secrets which can never be kept. Those words echoed in my dreams as a young man. Richard LongDistrict Attorney .