Evil? Malone does a remarkable job keeping the character on this side of humanity. Lest we forget, Marylee has never been treated particularly well by anyone she cares about, least of all Hudson's Mitch. In keeping with many of Sirk's films, but unlike most other American melodramas, the hero/victim/villain roles here are surprisingly unclear. Her facial expression 1:39-1:41 is a perfect exemplar of a character both victim and villain at once. One of Oscar's worthiest champions in my opinion.
Closing her eyes is not such a crime or acting mistake. I guarantee if you standing that close to someone and they start to move there arm you'll flinch in some way. That's what it looks like to me, or that's what it could look like if YOU weren't anticipating the slap which you all are.
I saw this on the big screen recently, and it looks as if Marylee might see the slap coming when Kyle starts raising his hand, which would justify the character (not the actress) closing her eyes.
Malone's great in this scene (and in others, with an Oscar to help prove it), and the "I'm filthy, period" line sure got a big laugh.
Too bad she can't stop herself from closing her eyes in anticipation of getting slapped. But she's "filthy", so who cares? She deserves it regardless.
Notice the musical undercurrent of Dorothy Malone's "bad girl" theme music heard here, which gets played on the jukebox in the tawdry bar where we first see her, carousing promiscuously with the low-class man. After that initial scene, her theme music keeps showing up to emphasize when she's being evil.
Robert Stack has the best voice of all time.
Polyfusia 3 months ago
Evil? Malone does a remarkable job keeping the character on this side of humanity. Lest we forget, Marylee has never been treated particularly well by anyone she cares about, least of all Hudson's Mitch. In keeping with many of Sirk's films, but unlike most other American melodramas, the hero/victim/villain roles here are surprisingly unclear. Her facial expression 1:39-1:41 is a perfect exemplar of a character both victim and villain at once. One of Oscar's worthiest champions in my opinion.
jasonqueue 5 months ago
Nobody can cradle a drink like Robert Stack.
BrocoliSuportr 1 year ago
Closing her eyes is not such a crime or acting mistake. I guarantee if you standing that close to someone and they start to move there arm you'll flinch in some way. That's what it looks like to me, or that's what it could look like if YOU weren't anticipating the slap which you all are.
LazlosPlane 2 years ago
I saw this on the big screen recently, and it looks as if Marylee might see the slap coming when Kyle starts raising his hand, which would justify the character (not the actress) closing her eyes.
Malone's great in this scene (and in others, with an Oscar to help prove it), and the "I'm filthy, period" line sure got a big laugh.
slc2466 2 years ago 2
Too bad she can't stop herself from closing her eyes in anticipation of getting slapped. But she's "filthy", so who cares? She deserves it regardless.
Notice the musical undercurrent of Dorothy Malone's "bad girl" theme music heard here, which gets played on the jukebox in the tawdry bar where we first see her, carousing promiscuously with the low-class man. After that initial scene, her theme music keeps showing up to emphasize when she's being evil.
hebneh 2 years ago