1950s movies marathon – part 4

Rashomon (1950, Japan, Kurosawa)

Truth is a slippery thing. Some say Japan’s war aim was to liberate Asia from its European oppressors.  Others say they themselves were the evil imperialists.  Who can really know for sure?  Perhaps the truth lies somewhere inbetween.  Watched it all before, and again now, because this really is Kurosawa’s best so far, even if the message he sends is kind of convenient.

Mrs. O’Malley and Mr. Malone (1950, USA)

“Mrs. O’Malley and Mr. Malone, a pair of wacky characters the like you’ve never known”, the title song tells us.  And they’ve written everything in a wacky font, too.  Watched: 3 minutes.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950, USA, Huston)

I’m trying to figure out what it is that separates the bad gangster and noir movies from the good and truly excellent ones.  I don’t know what it is, but I know how it feels: It feels like the difference between a blurry photograph and one that is in focus.  And this – this is so much in focus that it hurts.  Watched it all before, and again now.

Champagne for Caesar (1950, USA)

Is Vincent Price spooky yet?  No?  Only a little peculiar?  Moving on.  Watched: 5 minutes.

Les Enfants Terribles (1950, France, Melville)

The young ones enter adulthood like whirlwinds, making their own rules about life.  Watched it all.  This is a silly but intense movie, as are its characters, but what’s really memorable is the eyes of Nicole Stéphane.