"Leave Her to Heaven" begs the question, can a film noir

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be filmed in gorgeous Technicolor and have no macho criminals in it?
This film is very underrated. Even were it terrible, the twin beauties of Gene Tierney and Jeanne Crain would make it memorable. Any man that can stand to look at those translucent eyes of Tierney's and not melt is sub-human. Co-star Vincent Price joked that at long last audiences would understand why his characters in two previous films he had made with her had gone crazy.
But the male character you won't forget is Cornel Wilde. Director Stahl had a "time" forcing him to play against his "macho" screen persona, accurately displayed later in his greatest hit, "The Naked Prey." Wilde is believably naive and boyish while still remaining intelligent and strong: no mean trick for any actor.
The sense of foreboding and dread mount steadily in the film until the killing begins...the scene which begins it is the most disturbing imaginable, rivaling anything the master Hitchcock has done.
The cinematography is effective, being used carefully to underline a lifestyle that includes a pristine Maine lake and what is identified as Taos, NM but actually was filmed in Sedona.
Anyhow, I ramble. Don't miss this one. The Alfred Newman score is brilliant, as well.
(And...did I mention how insanely beautiful Jeanne Crain is in it? She was only 17 when cast but was 20 by the time filming began: she holds her own against the beauty of Gene Tierney, no easy feat).

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Topic - "Leave Her to Heaven" begs the question, can a film noir - tinear 21:52:01 08/08/05 (2)

Wow! What a recommendation... - Doug Otte 07:26:02 08/10/05 (1)

I don't think you'll be disappointed. Post your impressions, please. nt - tinear 12:15:47 08/10/05 (0)

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