Movie Reviews: Rentals for the New Year

After their steamy success together in Gilda, Columbia was eager to pair Hayworth and Ford again. In this tropical thriller, a nightclub singer named Chris (Hayworth) discovers that her husband has been killed. In order to aid authorities in finding the murderer, she agrees to claim that he has committed suicide. When her husband's brother (Ford) comes to town and suspects that something is amiss, Chris must explain her mysterious actions while still keeping her secret.

Well, this film is no Gilda, but if you are a fan of Rita Hayworth, it's worth seeing. The interesting plot somehow never gains steam, but there is still chemistry between Ford and Hayworth; they have some fine moments together. Hayworth's exuberant and alluring musical numbers may be worth the rental price alone.

Dodsworth (1936) Starring: Mary Astor, Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton

Every time I read about this movie, the word "mature" always comes up. There's a good reason for that; unlike most Hollywood movies, this one has characters who talk the way you may have imagined grown ups talk when you were a child. You almost feel as if you're peering over the banister in your footy pjs while your parent's party goes on downstairs.

And being a grown up looks complex, but delicious in this unusual and underappreciated romance. Walter Huston is Sam Dodsworth, the wealthy owner of a car production company. He retires to travel the world with his wife (who is played with naïve hunger by Ruth Chatterton). While they are abroad, they find that the years haven't bound them as strongly as they thought.

Mary Astor plays a solitary expatriate who brings new life to Dodsworth's empty retirement. It is marvelous to see the quiet way in which she deals with Dodsworth's unfaithful and anxious wife. She quietly insults her, but the words ring so true that it is hard to fault her cruelty.

Thanks to www.silverscreensirens.com for the great pictures.

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