tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post4873654623406422244..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: William Wyler's "The Letter" (1940) - Starting with a BangThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-47807390772783609362024-01-17T16:23:57.947-08:002024-01-17T16:23:57.947-08:00Pardon my late reply, Merrill, and thanks for your...Pardon my late reply, Merrill, and thanks for your appreciation of my post on The Letter, one of the greatest films in the careers of Bette Davis and William Wyler - and everyone else involved in this wonderful film.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-6737970017044238492023-11-12T02:43:35.323-08:002023-11-12T02:43:35.323-08:00Boy oh boy what a great article about a great movi...Boy oh boy what a great article about a great movie made at a great studio with some of the greatest talent ever from Hollyo life. wood's cherished golden era! I just happen to be watching The Letter tonight on HBO Max for my umpteenth time. 😊👍Merrill92106https://www.blogger.com/profile/15892954947134405490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-28728654231479855362012-07-17T20:01:49.509-07:002012-07-17T20:01:49.509-07:00Hep, Agreed. I believe the Jeanne Eagels version w...Hep, Agreed. I believe the Jeanne Eagels version was released by Warner Archive about a year ago, so it's available out there somewhere. I plan to look for it myself. Good to hear from you.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-85822269233374495112012-07-17T14:26:07.207-07:002012-07-17T14:26:07.207-07:00I would love to see the 1929 Precode version, just...I would love to see the 1929 Precode version, just to get the full effect. Not that Bette didn't bring it, but I do want to see the whole no-holds-barred approach to the story.hepclassichttp://fan.tcm.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=7681590&as=66470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-1861433979873302902012-07-03T21:01:52.317-07:002012-07-03T21:01:52.317-07:00'Gypsy, I was completely spellbound by "T...'Gypsy, I was completely spellbound by "The Letter" before I knew that Somerset Maugham based the story on an actual scandal, or that three celebrated actresses portrayed Leslie Crosbie before Bette Davis - and even before I was aware William Wyler directed the film. What a delight it was to delve into the story's origins and the details of the film production. For me, this information enhanced the mystique of "The Letter" - as you say, it adds another layer.<br /><br />By the way, I AM feeling the pressure of the upcoming not-Hitch event tho, thankfully, Dorian is allowing me to post on the final day.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-38286315393783375652012-07-03T16:41:01.608-07:002012-07-03T16:41:01.608-07:00Eve, I sympathize with your preoccupation with pre...Eve, I sympathize with your preoccupation with previous commitments; it is blogathon season once again. I suspect, like me, you find yourself overwhelmed by next week’s Hitch not Hitch blogathon next week. May I begin with a simple observation regarding the new look of your blog: it is simply elegant and the collection of movie reels is fascinating (where did you find the image?). The opening sequence of “The Letter” is perhaps the most iconic in classic film, and certainly the one that comes to mind when considering Bette Davis’s career. I can only imagine how Gregg Toland’s vision would have influenced the film, but I must say that it is pretty spectacular nevertheless. I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit, and my apologies to William Crozier Stewart, but an excellent film is made even more intriguing after learning the story is based on actual events. I suppose this is stating the obvious, but during the five year period from 1937 to 1942 Bette Davis gave some of the richest and most varied film performances of any actress of the period. After she resolved her contract disputes, she followed with “Marked Woman” and continued to grow as an artist with memorable characters such as Charlotte Vale in “Now, Voyager”. An excellent review of a film that is new each time I watch it, and your background adds on more layer to this example of superb filmmaking.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-65703308605900874482012-07-02T22:13:49.943-07:002012-07-02T22:13:49.943-07:00Thank you, silverscreenings. It's probably all...Thank you, silverscreenings. It's probably all too obvious that I'm fascinated by research - to the point of digging into the background of the background...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-68079549295518766922012-07-02T19:07:33.934-07:002012-07-02T19:07:33.934-07:00Excellent review of an excellent movie. Great rese...Excellent review of an excellent movie. Great research too!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-44111859061123918692012-07-02T10:42:21.091-07:002012-07-02T10:42:21.091-07:00You've made my day, Gilby. "The Letter&qu...You've made my day, Gilby. "The Letter" has deservedly been the subject of many, many reviews, articles, etc., so I tried to approach it a bit indirectly, by interweaving different strands of its onscreen and off screen story. Thanks for your kind words.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-37419897727278170152012-07-02T06:59:42.302-07:002012-07-02T06:59:42.302-07:00This is an excellent piece! You beautifully wove t...This is an excellent piece! You beautifully wove together the back story of "The Letter" with Wyler's production. If you ever write book, I want a signed copy -- you have a wonderful gift!Gilby37https://www.blogger.com/profile/12559239743969365425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-67100344034277401402012-07-01T09:36:46.635-07:002012-07-01T09:36:46.635-07:00Yvette, I was completely impressed with Jeanne Eag...Yvette, I was completely impressed with Jeanne Eagels based on this brief clip - no wonder she received an Oscar nomination. Bette Davis portrayed Leslie Crosbie entirely differently, but I do see similarities between the two actresses.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-32234956293095823752012-07-01T09:25:28.815-07:002012-07-01T09:25:28.815-07:00Yvette, "The Letter" is currently my fav...Yvette, "The Letter" is currently my favorite BD movie and I've watched it so many times lately that I feel like I'm living in Singapore in 1940. I have the idea that Warner Bros. decided to remake "The Letter" primarily as a Bette Davis vehicle. She is perfect in her role and, with a nod to William Wyler's flawless direction, it's become one of her signature roles.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-677611015819256332012-07-01T09:19:04.652-07:002012-07-01T09:19:04.652-07:00Dawn, We must have the same boxed set. I watched t...Dawn, We must have the same boxed set. I watched the "alternate ending" extra for the first time recently and was surprised that it included the scene of Gale Sondergaard's arrest but not Bette delivering her final line, "...I still love the man I killed..." Thankfully, that scene was kept in the final version.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-60403866891307574782012-07-01T09:15:52.005-07:002012-07-01T09:15:52.005-07:00ThanksThanksThe Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52084755452177362432012-07-01T07:40:14.710-07:002012-07-01T07:40:14.710-07:00Eve, just watched the Jeanne Eagels performance cl...Eve, just watched the Jeanne Eagels performance clip you included. Wow. I'd never seen that before. She was something. The only thing I knew about Eagels was the vague memory of a long ago bio-film in which Kim Novak played Eagels. Jeff Chandler, I think, was in it. Didn't realize Eagels had been that good an actress. This is a very powerful clip.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-4418371725634067702012-07-01T07:32:08.742-07:002012-07-01T07:32:08.742-07:00This remains one of my favorite Bette Davis movies...This remains one of my favorite Bette Davis movies even though I admit I haven't seen it in a long while. But your wonderful overview, Eve, has made me add it to my Netflix queue. Even with my faulty memory, who can forget the resolute and merciless Bette Davis shooting her victim until sure he was definitely dead. Wow. One of the great scenes in movie history. I can't think who else might have played the part as well as Bette Davis. <br /><br />I learned a lot about what went on behind the scenes from your post, too, Eve. Thanks for not only featuring this great film, Eve, but doing right by it.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-53692758643538554142012-07-01T05:36:26.122-07:002012-07-01T05:36:26.122-07:00Thank you for the wonderful background info. on on...Thank you for the wonderful background info. on one of my favorite Bette Davis classic films. I saw it just for the first time a couple of years ago after adding her DVD box set to my collection. Wow.. Was I surprised to find this little treasure, the ending is unforgettable. <br /><br />You also, posted my favorite picture of Bette Davis, very mysterious..Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-64336530046631294842012-06-30T18:41:39.755-07:002012-06-30T18:41:39.755-07:00Thanks, Karen, I'm very happy you enjoyed my m...Thanks, Karen, I'm very happy you enjoyed my modest paean to "The Letter" and that you're a fan of this exquisite film.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-50821723862813957812012-06-30T17:52:20.071-07:002012-06-30T17:52:20.071-07:00Rick, Cole Porter wrote famous lyrics that remind ...Rick, Cole Porter wrote famous lyrics that remind me of our sometimes divergent opinions: "You like potato and I like potahto, You like tomato and I like tomahto..." (though with us it's more like, "you like Daves and I like Sirk"). However, you and I are on exactly the same page about "The Letter." I admire all three Wyler/Davis films - each is well-written, filmed and acted. But "The Letter," with its dark and mysterious atmosphere, intriguing themes and the exotic setting (plus the great supporting turn by James Stephenson), takes my breath away. Somerset Maugham may have revised the opening of his story when he made a play of it, but Wyler envisioned the cinematic potential of the scene and created pure magic of it.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-67749341387651796212012-06-30T17:43:27.592-07:002012-06-30T17:43:27.592-07:00What an excellent and informative post, Eve -- I s...What an excellent and informative post, Eve -- I simply loved it. I'm very fond of The Letter and have seen it numerous times, so I was fascinated by the peek inside the film that you so eloquently provided. Bravo!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939607801184112943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-16471827101757217162012-06-30T15:26:09.164-07:002012-06-30T15:26:09.164-07:00Eve, THE LETTER is my favorite of the Wyler-Davis ...Eve, THE LETTER is my favorite of the Wyler-Davis collaborations. Love the title of your post, because the film's first scene rates with the best in cinema history (how can one possibly turn away from such a gripping opening?). As always, your background information makes for fascinating reading...well, your whole post does, of course!Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-46319363467232869402012-06-30T09:54:06.063-07:002012-06-30T09:54:06.063-07:00Page, For me there is only one flaw in "The L...Page, For me there is only one flaw in "The Letter," and it is a small one, the required additional scene of Mrs. Hammond's arrest. I actually like the final scene in which the camera sweeps back toward the party, with its music and dancing, where Leslie's acquittal is being celebrated - it seems a brilliant bit of irony to me. <br /><br />I think Bette loved "claws out Bette" more than anyone, by the way. She has her moments when Leslie Crosbie's claws emerge in "The Letter" - the opening shooting frenzy, when she lashes out at the end and other smaller moments. Throughout the film, though, Bette seems to portray Leslie as a woman of formidable claws who has learned to pull them in and exercise her aggression and frustration in different ways - lacemaking and illicit lovemaking, for example.<br /><br />Herbert Marshall often played the patsy or cuckold - I'm thinking of "The Little Foxes" and "Blonde Venus" for starters. His character is just the sort who would marry someone like Leslie and be led down the garden path by her. I love the scene just after Robert has learned the truth and Howard Joyce tells Leslie, "He's going to forgive you" and she replies, almost disdainfully, "Yes, he's going to forgive me." A lethal lady...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-4706689484978292532012-06-30T07:35:47.599-07:002012-06-30T07:35:47.599-07:00Okay Lady Eve! This was the film I had hoped to do...Okay Lady Eve! This was the film I had hoped to do a photo review on but since I was too late I was thrilled that it would be you tackling it with a stellar review. (That's just what ya do!) Ha Ha<br /><br />There were so many things in this film that worked beautifully but then there were areas where I was just thinking "This just feels wrong!" You touched upon that here with the ending. I literally booed when Bette wasn't gunned down and left to bleed to death behind that building. So glad you explained why it crashed and burned for me there. Another scene that felt off was the cocktail party towards the end which didn't seem to fit. <br /><br />I love the vindictive, 'claws out' Bette which I didn't really get here but that's okay since it was such a good film. Also, Marshall's character was just too forgiving, a real sad sack who should have grown a pair but that's just my opinion. <br /><br />A very interesting read LE and a fine contribution to the Blogathon. Thanks for allowing me to look at the film with fresh eyes.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-88660854151367321532012-06-29T17:00:22.179-07:002012-06-29T17:00:22.179-07:00Kay, That Bette Davis could be a vixen, couldn'...Kay, That Bette Davis could be a vixen, couldn't she? With this little tidbit of information I will look at "John Withers" a little differently the next time I watch "The Letter." Now that I think of it, Mr. Withers does seem rather smitten with Mrs. Crosbie in the film.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-33656326384483054302012-06-29T16:55:01.771-07:002012-06-29T16:55:01.771-07:00Kim, Ther's a backstory on James Stephenson...Kim, Ther's a backstory on James Stephenson's casting...Jack Warner recommended him to Wyler (Stephenson was under contract to WB) for the Howard Joyce role, saying he was a fine actor but no one would cast him. Wyler tested him and was thrilled with the result. When he told Jack he wanted to cast Stephenson, Warner began arguing that the actor wasn't well-known enough, etc., and tried to argue him out of it. Wyler insisted. Of course, James Stephenson broke out with "The Letter" and got an Oscar nomination. Within a year he suffered a fatal heart attack.<br /><br />I like the ending Wyler intended: Sondergaard kills Davis and gets away with it. Leslie Crosbie as played by BD was prime for such a fate. But that last little Production Code moment, where Sondergaard is arrested for killing Davis - no, that is, to paraphrase Wyler, a silly anticlimactic bit of business.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.com