Yes, Bette is wonderful in this movie, but did you know that David O. Selnick bought it for Greta Garbo? She turned it down because she was preparing to do a talking version of Anna Karenina at the time ("Love" had been a silent version)and so Selnick sold it to Warners. It's a pity she didn't do it. I think she would have been great, even though Davis is stunning in the role. Anyway, the next time you view "Dark Victory" try and imagine Garbo as the doomed heroine. She played doomed heroines very well you may recall.
Reviews
8 Reviews
The Mysterious Lady
(1928)
the Legend begins...
5 March 2001
If you care for Garbo's sound movies go back and see what made her such a sensational international star. This one is a delight. She is most seductive with the grace and glide of an animal. One of my favorite of all of her films. You can easily see why people became Garbomanics. There was nothing like her on the screen...before or since.
A Private Function
(1984)
delightful wit at British best
10 March 2000
One of the funniest comedies to come across the Atlantic in a long, long time. Maggie is magnificent. This movie will go right over the heads of teenie booopers with less than a high school education, but for the enlightened world this is a gem.
Pretty Baby
(1978)
Who knows, maybe Grandma was a Pretty Baby
6 October 1999
20 years afterwards and Brooke is still a Pretty Baby (Suddenly Susan) but in 1978 she shook the world over this slice of Americana (not your "Meet Me in St. Louis" piece of cake though). Very entertaining. Amd very true to the lifestyle. Storyville was miles away from The Garden District. The ending is super...pretty baby, all dolled up and off to St Louis...what lies ahead? the proper schools, dancing classes, the proper marriage..bank president? Lawyer? Doctor? Respectability! Well maybe it did turn into Meet Me in St. Louis afterall.The American background is a mixed bag at that. Tune into this Malle delight cause twenty years later the aura of turn of the century New Orleans comes about and the story still glows.
A Place in the Sun
(1951)
Switch the cast and see what happens
13 August 1999
I really like this movie, BUT the casting is so obvious! Who wouldn't fall for Elizabeth Taylor??!! And Shelley!...the original Blimpie. No, try casting Elizabeth as the poor girl and Blimpie as the rich girl and see what the odds are like for good ol George (Cliff). The close ups of Elizabeth and Monty on the dance floor is one of the great moments in movie making. He is really more beautiful than she (almost). George Stevens brought it all together and it stands as an American classic at this point.
Rancho Notorious
(1952)
Marvelous Marlene makes the west worth fighting for.
8 June 1999
It's not a bad story. And Marlene was fascinating. The lady knew what she was selling and the packaging is still great. It could have become the joke that Joan Crawford was in "Johnny Banjo", but the script and cast and the director make it worthwhile. See what glamour was all about. Madonna,eat your heart out.
A master of film and 60 years later still a masterpiece
8 June 1999
I first viewed this film at the Museum of Modern Art 35 years ago;I now own it and the years have only added to my astonishment of what a genius Leni is. She took film to a new and higher art form. The Nazi noise does get in the way, but the epic scope and feel of the finished product make it worth viewing. And yes, part one is far superior, but part two is certainly a work of art also. It is a masterpiece. Would that she had done more. She is a most fascinating artist.
trivia misquote
26 May 1999
Yes, Bette did shave her head for the part of Elizabeth, but not for this picture. It was later in "The Virgin Queen". I mean, get the facts. This is a very good movie though. She is a stunning Elizabeth and Errol gives off the right chemistry. Most enjoyable. And a real biggie in its day.
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