tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post2920050036458843299..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: A Film to Watch for...on TCM Next WeekThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-14980266805169639132012-10-25T12:14:24.542-07:002012-10-25T12:14:24.542-07:00A final comment: I watched this version of "T...A final comment: I watched this version of "The Letter" last night. This film is an early talky which is no doubt why it seems nothing so much as a filmed stage play (whereas William Wyler's 1940 adaptation is truly cinematic). As for Jeanne Eagels...she is very interesting and unusual - but also stagey. She made only two "talkies" and didn't live long enough to prove whether or not she would have, in time, become a great film actress.<br /><br />If nothing else, this film has historical value. It is also interesting to contrast the 1929 version with the 1940 in terms of the relative speed with which advances were made, artistically as well as technically, once sound arrived.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-41441016924179842272012-10-24T13:36:04.827-07:002012-10-24T13:36:04.827-07:00Thanks for your early review, Dawn. I recorded but...Thanks for your early review, Dawn. I recorded but haven't seen the film yet. I will say that Bette & Wyler's version of "The Letter" would be extremely hard to beat - but I'm very interested to see Eagels' interpretation and what is essentially a filmed version of the '20s stage play.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-7565639157834282132012-10-24T10:20:05.258-07:002012-10-24T10:20:05.258-07:00I just finished viewing the classic film, The Lett...I just finished viewing the classic film, The Letter(1929). I thought the film was very good, and I do think it was very much worth seeing, but.. it does not have the wonderful chemotherapy and lighting as the 1940's version. Although.. The scene where Jeanne's character travels to the East Indies town, to buy back her letter, is beautiful and full of suspense. Jeanne's performance was good, but.. she spoke in a rushed and some what jerky manner. I was very surprised at the ending.. If I were to pick between the two versions the 1940's version is my favorite. Thank you for the heads up.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-43021236404893775112012-10-22T00:50:11.279-07:002012-10-22T00:50:11.279-07:00Eve, great point about Marshall there. He's an...Eve, great point about Marshall there. He's an actor I find increasingly interesting, and his playing of the two roles is another reason to compare the two. Sadly Warner Archive DVDs are not available for rental in the UK, but can be purchased on import and the prices are not too bad nowadays.Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-11356011375526216032012-10-21T18:13:11.158-07:002012-10-21T18:13:11.158-07:00Judy - The contemporary reviews I've seen so f...Judy - The contemporary reviews I've seen so far on this version of "The Letter" were written at the time of its DVD release about a year ago. The DVD may -hopefully - be available in GB via library or Netflix UK by now.<br /><br />Interesting, isn't it, that Herbert Marshall played the lover in the first version and the cuckold in the second...The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-17444283917587321812012-10-21T12:27:31.233-07:002012-10-21T12:27:31.233-07:00What a fascinating post, Eve, I didn't know mu...What a fascinating post, Eve, I didn't know much at all about Jeanne Eagels before reading this. I'd really like to see this and compare with the Bette Davis version. Very little chance of this being shown in the UK, but it is also out on Warner Archive DVD so I may be tempted in future ... anyway, I will be very interested to hear what you all think of it. Herbert Marshall looks so young in that picture!Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-12030336092103810212012-10-20T08:10:56.455-07:002012-10-20T08:10:56.455-07:00John - You are so right, the Kim Novak/Jeff Chand...John - You are so right, the Kim Novak/Jeff Chandler biopic is just awful. To the point of unwatchable. Jeff Chandler was in so many forgettable movies that whenever I see his name in the credits now I think "nevermind." <br /><br />Feel free to "steal" the movie poster, I "lifted" it from somewhere myself.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-78289869960854059892012-10-20T07:46:43.840-07:002012-10-20T07:46:43.840-07:00The Kim Novak bio pic, with Jeff Chandler, was ter...The Kim Novak bio pic, with Jeff Chandler, was terrible IMHO. One of Novak's worst acting performances and as you mention, the filmmakers played loose with the facts. Back to the real Eagels, I got this set on my DVR. Having never seen Eagels perform in any film this will be a real treat. I love the movie poster at the top and may "steal" to post on my 24Frames facebook page if you don't mind.John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-87157512955286460492012-10-19T20:26:58.589-07:002012-10-19T20:26:58.589-07:00I'm sure you can find that interview online, i...I'm sure you can find that interview online, it was on NPR's "Fresh Air" this week - Wednesday, I think. It is excellent - Michael Feinstein was Ira Gershwin's archivist and friend during the last six years of the lyricist's life. Absolutely fascinating memories and anecdotes and musical interludes.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-91385545613976136932012-10-19T20:24:46.343-07:002012-10-19T20:24:46.343-07:00Dawn - From the comments in response to this post,...Dawn - From the comments in response to this post, it seems this first film adaptation of "The Letter" has been much-anticipated. I have to wonder if Bette Davis, who played Leslie Crosbie as a very controlled woman whose emotions are contained beneath the surface, and William Wyler made a point of creating a character as different as possible from Jeanne Eagels' interpretation. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-90170294079051901802012-10-19T14:42:27.878-07:002012-10-19T14:42:27.878-07:00I would LOVE to have heard that. I often check ou...I would LOVE to have heard that. I often check out books from the library, gigantic ones, that have photos and stories about early era Broadway, and I enjoy them so much. It's funny that The Letter is my favorite Bette Davis. It isn't really a typical Bette performance, is it? She is just superb.<br /><br />BTW, I forgot to mention that the movie description of The Letter reads like a bodice-ripper novel ... "He wasn't a man anymore -- he was a beast!" Hotter than hot!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52023241255490883992012-10-19T14:35:52.542-07:002012-10-19T14:35:52.542-07:00I'm really looking forward to seeing this vers...I'm really looking forward to seeing this version of the classic film, "The Letter'". One of my favorite Bette Davis films. <br /><br />I also enjoyed learning more about Jeanne Eagels.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421976438809816553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-35851614699039858482012-10-19T14:13:04.911-07:002012-10-19T14:13:04.911-07:00Becky - I was listening to an interview with Micha...Becky - I was listening to an interview with Michael Feinstein on NPR the other day. An audio clip was included of Fred and Adele Astaire singing (their friend) George Gershwin's "Fascinatin' Rhythm" from around 1926. Feinstein said it was his favorite version of the tune because he thought it beautifully reflected the energy and the spirit of the era. It was a real treat and I'm sure you'd have loved it.<br /><br />"The Letter" is my favorite Bette Davis, too. <br /><br />The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-43426275026544427012012-10-19T13:58:26.829-07:002012-10-19T13:58:26.829-07:00Christian - Yes, Jeanne Eagels surely is one of th...Christian - Yes, Jeanne Eagels surely is one of the early - and enduring - examples of the dark side of celebrity in the 20th century. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-56892006316108678952012-10-19T11:33:47.594-07:002012-10-19T11:33:47.594-07:00I'm so excited to get to see "The Letter&...I'm so excited to get to see "The Letter" with Eagels. I am such a fan of that era of Broadway, and always wanted to see this movie! She was striking looking, wasn't she? I am going to record AND watch live when it comes on ... don't want to take any chances on missing it. Interesting that Herbert Marshall was in both versions of "The Letter", which happens to be my favorite Bette Davis movie. Thanks for the tip, Eve. Marvelous!ClassicBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03591715859057540467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-77996548073930553502012-10-19T10:55:59.386-07:002012-10-19T10:55:59.386-07:00Thanks Lady Eve for the tip on this film broadcast...Thanks Lady Eve for the tip on this film broadcasting on TCM. Jeanne Eagels was lionized in her day and we will see why. Alas, she was also an early casualty, as with Marilyn Miller and many more to follow, of the roller-coaster life of a major star with feet of clay.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-88365068804105523262012-10-18T23:56:32.100-07:002012-10-18T23:56:32.100-07:00Kim - I've been hoping to see this version of ...Kim - I've been hoping to see this version of "The Letter" for a while, too. I wish there was more detailed (and reliable) information available on Jeanne Eagels' life and career. Much myth surrounds her - would love to see a new, well-researched bio.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-43837001419254242872012-10-18T23:50:05.962-07:002012-10-18T23:50:05.962-07:00GOM - I've only seen a video clip of the final...GOM - I've only seen a video clip of the final scene and thought her performance was riveting. It has been said that Bette Davis' in "Of Human Bondage" was reminiscent of Eagels in the raw emotional power she brought to her performance.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-25895790740040594942012-10-18T23:42:05.927-07:002012-10-18T23:42:05.927-07:00FlickChick - I've read really contradictory re...FlickChick - I've read really contradictory reviews of Eagels' performance in "The Letter." She won raves when the film was released (and Academy Award consideration) but reviews today seem less consistent.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-82874554507528735352012-10-18T23:37:26.874-07:002012-10-18T23:37:26.874-07:00Brandie - There are some good films on TCM's O...Brandie - There are some good films on TCM's Oct., schedule, but this is the one that really caught my attention when I saw it listed.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-72284873068072358072012-10-18T23:35:35.546-07:002012-10-18T23:35:35.546-07:00R.D. - The only Monta Bell picture I was familiar ...R.D. - The only Monta Bell picture I was familiar with before delving into Jeanne Eagels' background is "Downstairs," one of John Gilbert's sound films. I thought it was very well done (and Gilbert was very good in it).The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-62986216418543570912012-10-18T22:58:24.733-07:002012-10-18T22:58:24.733-07:00Thanks so much for alerting us that TCM is showing...Thanks so much for alerting us that TCM is showing The Letter. I've waited for years to see it, and now it looks like it's finally going to happen. I also enjoyed reading your insightful profile of this troubled actress. I look forward to comparing her performance to Davis' in the remake.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-49332210180508214022012-10-18T19:48:08.446-07:002012-10-18T19:48:08.446-07:00Eagels is brilliant in this movie. Her performance...Eagels is brilliant in this movie. Her performance is different from Davis', and the film also made changes from the original play - although it's definitely pre-Code in its atmosphere and presentation. I can see why Davis admired her - they shared a similar passion in their acting and commitment to truth in their art.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-29707293353298645782012-10-18T17:42:00.225-07:002012-10-18T17:42:00.225-07:00My DVR is set. I, too, am extremely excited to see...My DVR is set. I, too, am extremely excited to see this. Thanks for an excellent post on a very compelling actress.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-15630390491599591062012-10-18T12:24:32.621-07:002012-10-18T12:24:32.621-07:00I was SO excited to see this film on the schedule!...I was SO excited to see this film on the schedule! I set my DVR to record it immediately. I love the Davis version, but I've been dying to see this one for ages.Brandiehttp://trueclassics.netnoreply@blogger.com