KIM NOVAK

Discussion of programming on TCM.
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JackFavell
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Joined: April 20th, 2009, 9:56 am

Re: KIM NOVAK

Post by JackFavell »

I agree with you. I think each captured certain qualities in their very different performances.

Oddly, though I think he wasn't as understanding of Philip's uncertainty, Paul Henreid captured something of obsession that I found interesting. He really showed how a man wants more what he cannot have. Each time he met Mildred, he found it irritating that she spurned him, even though he felt he was on a higher level...and that was what led him to want her. It was more of a comment on class than on love. He didn't capture the embarrassment or hurt of people noticing his deformity. It was almost as if he had none, but as for the obsession, he was spot on.

I really dislike Laurence Harvey, but he's generally a fairly good actor, if rather one note. I didn't find anything of interest in his more 'potboiler' version of Philip. I thought he was completely misdirected, or didn't understand what was required in the role. Though he combined his usual disdain and self loathing, it seemed like it was just another Butterfield 8, not a separate story with a different character. He worked fine as a warm body for Novak to work her genuinely great performance off of.

If I had to pick one who was the closest to the book version, I'd say it was Leslie Howard. He's got the sensitivity, the feeling, the hurt quality....the overwhelming embarrassment and envy that Philip has in the book. He has the ...what's the word I want? lethargy and fear of someone who is unable to move forward. But he's way too much of a doormat which can be really irritating. I kind of wish that Howard had taken Henreid's obsessive tack just a little, while retaining his own sensitivity.
RedRiver
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Joined: July 28th, 2011, 9:42 am

Re: KIM NOVAK

Post by RedRiver »

I've only seen the Davis/Howard film all the way through. I like it, though it's quite disturbing. I saw about half the 1946 on TCM. I found it very intriguing, perhaps even more than the earlier film. To tell the truth, I didn't about the Kim Novak vehicle. I like Davis a lot in the role.
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Rita Hayworth
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Joined: February 6th, 2011, 4:01 pm

Re: KIM NOVAK

Post by Rita Hayworth »

10 MOVIES OF KIM NOVAK THAT I'VE SEEN IN MY LIFETIME

Bold indicating - Top 5 Movies ...

1965 The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders as Moll Flanders
1964 Kiss Me, Stupid as Polly the Pistol
1964 Of Human Bondage as Mildred Rogers
1960 Strangers When We Meet as Margaret 'Maggie' Gault
1959 Middle of the Night as Betty Preisser
1958 Bell Book and Candle as Gillian 'Gil' Holroyd
1958 Vertigo as Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
1957 Pal Joey as Linda English

1955 The Man with the Golden Arm as Molly
1955 5 Against the House as Kay Greylek

My Top 5 Movies of Kim Novak

Starting with Vertigo and ending with 5 Against the House.

1) Vertigo - A Masterpiece
2) Bell Book and Candle - A great drama and comedy
3) Pal Joey - My Personal Favorite
4) Of Human Bondage - A enduring drama about love that's uncalled for
5) 5 Against the House - A great casino caper


The Movie that I seen the most - Pal Joey with Rita Hayworth and Frank Sinatra.
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