Sun, 1 April 2007
Van Heflin, Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas and Lizabeth Scott all turn in stellar performances in this 1946 gem. For much of its running time the film lacks many of the visual hallmarks of the noir style, but Robert Rossen's pitch-perfect script, delivered with such subtlety by the fine cast, builds a dark backstory that makes what might have been a standard melodrama into a noir masterpiece: the drama of a few individuals is transformed into a parable of post-war America. Add Edith Head's gorgeous costumes and Miklos Rozsa's superlative score, and you have one of the most enjoyable films ever made. This podcast is brought to you by Clute and Edwards, of www.noircast.net. To leave a comment on this episode, or make a donation to the podcast, please visit "Out of the Past: Investigating Film Noir" at outofthepast.libsyn.com.Comments[4]
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- Hello! I'm a Film-Noir buff from Brasília, Brazil. This is the very first time I listen to your podcast, which strikes me as a wonderful initiative.
To be truthful, I am not very fond of "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers", especially because I wasn't compelled by this particular blend of noir and melodrama.
In addition, I'd contend that Rózsa's score is not among his greatest. This Hungarian "devil" is my favorite Hollywood composer, but his works can be somewhat repetitive and intrusive. As far as I'm concerned, his score for TSLOMA would provide a fitting instance of such "flaws". I prefer his work in The Asphalt Jungle.
That's just my particular opinion, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis of the film.
Just another brief observation: I believe the film has an important religious element; I also think it would be possible to characterize its outlook as Christian.
As far as I'm concerned, there is a particular scene which introduces the religious element in a subtle but powerful manner:
While waiting for Martha, Sam peruses some volumes in her dazzling library. He ends up examining a particular book: Boswell's Life of Johnson.
Well, Samuel Johnson is an outstanding representative of a time when Christian tradition was ingrained in the constitution of everyday life.
I think this is very important. For instance, the character played by Van Heflin becomes acquainted with Christian morality while staying in hotel rooms. Should this be overlooked? I don't think so. After all, despite all his vices, Sam has kept something of a moral sense, absent in the case of Martha or Walter, who are both lost souls.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
- Guys, great job on TSLOMA. Just to add to what you said about the title, I was looking at the movie poster (a big one is here so you can see it well http://filmnoir.suddenlaunch3.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&num=1176192394 ) the title is actually \"The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (Whisper HER NAME)\"
Now I have no idea what the title means. Any ideas?
Here\'s another poster using that full title:
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1074/570220152oyc2.jpg
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