Cast: Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson
Best Quote: In my case, self-absorption is completely justified. I have never discovered any other subject quite so worthy of my attention.
One of the greatest Film-noirs of all time. Its possible to discuss this film on so many levels. We can start with...
The Music
Generally, I'm not too interested in film scores, but Raskin's haunting song "Laura" really adds to the movie and has become a popular Jazz standard. Incredibly, it wasn't an AA nominee!
Re-watchability
This is one Film Noir that stands up to repeated re-viewings. In fact, I can watch the last 10 minutes of Laura over and over again. Just for the sheer craftsmanship - the ending moves with the precision of a Swiss watch and there's not a minute of wasted film. Hitchcock would've been proud. Preminger never did anything as good, or even half-way as good, which make me think Zanuck and plenty of 20th Century Fox "suits" were responsible.
And then are the great characters:
The wittiest and darkest villain in film-noir. And who could have done better than Clifton Webb? He makes a good part great. He is - in fact - the true star of Laura. Certainly, he has all the good lines. Which was no accident, once he gave in to Preminger and cast Webb, Zanuck constantly demanded the scriptwriters give Waldo more and more zingers. And they complied.
Webb delivers them superbly - but he's also quite good at the end where he decides to kill Laura. Its played perfectly, the sinister look as he grabs the shotgun, the look of shock and then determination when he sees the shotgun shells are missing, the somnambulist way he utters the words "They'll find us together Laura..". Its these last scenes that give us the clue to Waldo's hard-to-understand motivation. Jealous lover? Hardly. Waldo isn't joking when he says he's egotistical and misanthropic. He's created Laura - she belongs to him (like a beautiful painting) and if he can't have her - no one else can. Perhaps that's some kind of love.
To be honest, Gene Tierney was disappointing the first time I saw the movie. Indeed, many reviewers in 1944 felt the same way. For example: For Gene Tierney simply doesn't measure up to the word-portrait of her character. Pretty, indeed, but hardly the type of girl we had expected to meet - NYT.
But of course, no actress - or living woman - could live up to Waldo's hype. Which gives us a clue that Waldo is an unreliable narrator. After all, what "great" "sophisticated" woman would have gone with Shelby? Or considered Waldo the epitome of sophistication? Once I understood that, Gene Tierney seemed perfect for the role. Acting wise, she's good, and was there anyone more beautiful in B&W? Her best acting? The reaction to Waldo with a shotgun: "Waldo, isn't one life enough?"
This is the role that put Dana Andrews on the map. Tough, no-nonsense, and not much for romance (a doll got fox-fur out of him once), he's your typical 40s Noir detective. He's the audience's stand-in as we investigate Laura's murder and the "remarkable set of dopes" she's surrounded herself with. Waldo's statement that he's the "Detective with the sliver shin bone" not only shows he's brave, it explains to 1944 audiences why he's not in uniform. Andrews plays wonderfully off Clifton Webb ( they would've made a great comedy team) and is sufficiently tough and intelligent. And everyone's straight-man.
Bessie
Ah Bessie. Dear, sweet, evidence destroying, cop-hating Bessie. Dumb as a post - but who wouldn't want a devoted maid like her? Wonderfully played by Dorothy Adams, who specialized in down-trodden characters, nurses and, maids.
Ann Treadwell
Beautifully played by Judith Anderson, an Australian who - like Webb - was a Broadway star before she came to Hollywood. Treadwell, is a wealthy society "cougar" and so in love with Shelby she's willing to kill her niece over him. Who wouldn't want an aunt like that? She not only introduces Laura to wealthy NYC society, she's also passed on her love for gigolos and worthless men.
Best Quote: He's no good, but he's what I want. I'm not a nice person, Laura, and neither is he. He knows I know he's just what he is. He also knows that I don't care. We belong together because we're both weak and can't seem to help it. That's why I know he's capable of murder. He's like me.
Shelby Carpenter
The weak link in the movie is the casting of Vincent Price as Shelby. The part calls for a spineless - but incredibly attractive - man. Yet, Price isn't particularly sexy. Its hard to believe Laura or even Treadwell would be so attracted to him. Maybe someone like Zachery Scott would've been a better fit.
Plus, Price is too good-natured and likable. When McPherson sucker punches Price, you feel like someone had kicked a Golden Retriever. Which makes it hard to think he was capable of murder. You wonder why McPherson couldn't have figured that out - well before the audience. But that's not Price's fault. He acts well - and his miscasting is a minor flaw.
Summary: One of the greatest Film Noirs of all time and one of my 100 most enjoyable movies. Laura has a great cast, great score, great dialogue, and at 86 minutes isn't boring for a second.
