tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post5387393589702506799..comments2023-12-30T01:44:58.368-08:00Comments on The Girl with the White Parasol: Movie Review: Desert FuryAubynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-59102824412819754862015-09-24T17:51:53.016-07:002015-09-24T17:51:53.016-07:00I love this movie bought it on dvd here
http://w...I love this movie bought it on dvd here<br /><br /><br />http://www.classicmoviesandtvcom.com/product/desert-fury-dvd-burt-lancaster-1947Classic Manualshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814491340687259856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-52586898255443609492015-08-08T17:42:57.671-07:002015-08-08T17:42:57.671-07:00Judy, I'm just curious how you dropped everyth...Judy, I'm just curious how you dropped everything and saw this film, since it's so exceedingly hard to come by. The only home media on which it is available is a Portuguese all-region DVD, which I have in my personal collection. Other than that, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. It hasn't aired on TCM is over fifteen years, and Universal, which sadly owns the vintage Paramount library, has never released it on either VHS or DVD format. Even in film-savvy metropolises, it's rarely revived, so I'm really curious how you got to see it so readily.rafael stormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420918148607491101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-39686154446518443432015-08-08T17:36:47.721-07:002015-08-08T17:36:47.721-07:00After reading it, I could have sworn it had been w...After reading it, I could have sworn it had been written by Myron Breckinridge.rafael stormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14420918148607491101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-52003156281691383742015-06-30T19:42:35.975-07:002015-06-30T19:42:35.975-07:00I have so many questions and speculations about De...I have so many questions and speculations about Desert Fury. I return to the scene where Hodiak and Corey's characters stopped in their tracks upon first seeing Scott's character. They agree she strongly resembles Hodiak's character's late wife. If the resemblance is so strong, could Scott's character be the daughter of the late wife? If so, how did Mary Astor's character come to raise Scott's character if she is not the birth mother?Michael Hawthornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04469320038716291518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-36419391493650117642015-02-08T16:31:02.422-08:002015-02-08T16:31:02.422-08:00I agree with everything that David Ehrenstein says...I agree with everything that David Ehrenstein says in his brilliant piece about “Desert Fury” but would add another subtext to the already steaming brew. To me, it's the quintessential pre-Hollywood Ten movie because one of its chief themes, transformed into a gangster setting, is loyalty on the part of actual or would-be intellectuals (not that any of the characters in "Desert Fury" are actual intellectuals) to the Communist Party no matter what (or rather to some degree because the loyalty the CP required was of the "no matter what" sort). <br /><br />This comes through in one key element of the plot -- the belief (held by some committed CPUSA members) that the ultimate test of virtue was one's "hardness" (not only as in toughness per se but also as in willingness to do any deed in the name of submission to Party discipline -- especially if that deed ran counter to the promptings of one's personal [i.e. bourgeois] conscience, convenience, or morality.) <br /><br />Thus Hodiak's character is a handsome, narcissistic frontman (a star gambler) who shies away from the doing the rough dirty stuff, while Corey, his sidekick who does do the rough dirty stuff when that's necessary (actually, as I recall, he deeply enjoys doing it), is at once in love with Hodiak's character and his "star" aura and is enraged by the gap between what Hodiak's character thinks he himself is too good to do and what Corey's character both has to and, in some sense, chooses to do instead. Corey, playing a deeply twisted man, gives a terrific twisted performance. <br /><br />BTW, Robert Rossen, author of the screenplay for “Desert Fury” (and perhaps its “autuer”?) was a CPUSA member from 1937-47, and his uncredited writing colleague on the film A.I. Bezzerides (“Kiss Me Deadly,” “Thieves Highway,” etc.) was, as they used to say, a “fellow traveler” (according to J. Hoberman’s “The Magic Hour”). Rossen was blacklisted in 1951 and eventually named names before HUAC in 1953. <br /> <br />Also FWIW, although I can't confirm that this is true, a now-deceased great American writer who shall be nameless (because, again, I can't confirm that this story is true, though I trust my source for it) was a committed CPUSA member of the type outlined above (the committed CPUSA member part of this writer’s history is fact; he wrote of this himself). He decamped to Mexico in the post-war Red Scare era, and while there his "hardness"/willingness to follow Party discipline was put to the test, according to the story I was told. He was informed that a member of his circle of political emigrees was in fact relaying information about them to the FBI and that he (i.e. the writer) must now engineer that man's death, which he did -- doing so even (or maybe in some sense because -- see the putting aside bourgeois morality and submitting to Party discipline theme) he was an essentially kind gentle man. Larry Karthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817737671436180092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-17299950293264016972014-08-25T20:55:09.511-07:002014-08-25T20:55:09.511-07:00Hmm, I can't remember. Watched it online, but ...Hmm, I can't remember. Watched it online, but don't remember the source. I know I've also seen it floating around on Youtube but I just checked for it and it looks like it was yanked. I'll let you know if I find a copy.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-21851142741953705152014-08-21T21:23:57.185-07:002014-08-21T21:23:57.185-07:00where did you get your copy of this movie? i woul...where did you get your copy of this movie? i would like one.petercox97https://www.blogger.com/profile/05818754297522029991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-51639961505892396522014-03-26T03:27:26.631-07:002014-03-26T03:27:26.631-07:00Just stumbled upon your post as I was looking for ...Just stumbled upon your post as I was looking for Mary Astor information. Thanks for turning me on to this film, loved Astor in it, so different from her other mother roles! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07906697724816460721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-37131374722316812002013-05-11T13:54:56.930-07:002013-05-11T13:54:56.930-07:00Thanks for the comments. It's a movie that I t...Thanks for the comments. It's a movie that I think is worth seeing at least once.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-13032227464484804552013-05-11T13:20:13.560-07:002013-05-11T13:20:13.560-07:00I don't think I had any idea what this movie w...I don't think I had any idea what this movie was about, or how deep the story really went. I learned so much from reading this post and I must say that I am highly intrigued. I will have to find this film soon. Thanks Lasso The Movieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03221402578681699727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-80224551659567020552013-05-11T09:09:54.704-07:002013-05-11T09:09:54.704-07:00Pretty much impossible to write a boring review wh...Pretty much impossible to write a boring review when you've got a movie like <i>Desert Fury</i>. And that kiss looked pretty damn passionate. I'd forgotten any incest subtext in <i>The Caine Mutiny</i>, but that's probably because I was too distracted by the strange awfulness of the Robert Francis/May Wynn romantic subplot. The musical score is over-the-top but in a good way, very much like Rosza's score for <i>The Strange Love of Martha Ivers</i> (which really belongs on a double bill with this one).<br /><br />I didn't realize how much love and appreciation there was out there for Mary Astor until your blogathon and it warms my heart. You and R.A. truly made this a fantastic event.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-19107610600405595722013-05-10T17:13:07.931-07:002013-05-10T17:13:07.931-07:00Aubyn, I've been looking forward to reading yo...Aubyn, I've been looking forward to reading your DESERT FURY review, and it was worth the wait! What a wild and crazy hothouse flower of a movie -- heck, it's more like Audrey 2 in LITTLE SHOP OF HORROR, with its gonzo characters and the film's bisexual subtext! That smooch on the lips between Mama Mary Astor and Lizabeth Scott makes Robert Francis' goodbye kiss on his mom's lips in THE CAINE MUTINY look like a peck on the cheek. Miklos Rosza's score and the magnificently lurid (in a good way) art direction is perfect for this fascinatingly insane movie! Aubyn, I'm glad you chose DESERT FURY for our Mary Astor Blogathon, with Mary unforgettable in every sense of the word -- thanks a million for joining our Mary Astor Blogathon!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-90841362557905860902013-05-10T09:20:17.371-07:002013-05-10T09:20:17.371-07:00I will definitely want to read that Lizabeth Scott...I will definitely want to read that Lizabeth Scott post of yours. She truly was one of the queens of noir, one of the few actresses that worked almost exclusively in the genre. And she's still with us today at 90 years old!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-10094206150770755762013-05-10T09:17:01.745-07:002013-05-10T09:17:01.745-07:00Given how eloquently you express yourself in comme...Given how eloquently you express yourself in comments, I would definitely read any blog of yours :)<br /><br />This blogathon's been really good at showcasing the best of Mary Astor. I'd say you can't go wrong with <i>Dodsworth</i> or <i>The Prisoner of Zenda</i>, for starters. I also love her in <i>Act of Violence</i>, in a very atypical part as a cheap hooker.<br /><br />Thanks again for all the kind words.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-3569489637357513772013-05-10T08:29:30.342-07:002013-05-10T08:29:30.342-07:00Hi, Aubyn! : )
What a fun film! I've been mak...Hi, Aubyn! : )<br /><br />What a fun film! I've been making it a priority to catch more films in this genre and given that I need to find more good films on Lizabeth Scott for a future post I'm writing, this review was a real treat.<br /><br />Oh, before I forget. I would love for someone to say to me, "You look good baby, even when you're tired!" : )<br /><br />Also, I have to agree with what you added above with Mary's hairstyle not being that flattering. While it was the style for women her age. (Not old but for Hollywood) It did age her beyond her years.<br /><br />Such a fun review of an interesting film. <br />Well done!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-2441830317400027852013-05-10T07:43:29.832-07:002013-05-10T07:43:29.832-07:00I watched it. And I love it to pieces! And you rev...I watched it. And I love it to pieces! And you review was spot-on, it felt kind of weak right up until that bombastic climax. And of course Mary Astor's performance was straight-up gold! I need to find more of her work, I think the only things I've ever really seen her in are this and The Maltese Falcon. I love her as an actress, but haven't really given her filmography a look through. That's a mistake I'm about to rectify!<br /><br />My favorite pre-Codes are Night Nurse, also, Gold Diggers of 1933, Thirteen Women, Belle of the Nineties ... actually the list itself is enough to justify a blog of my own. I need to get off my butt and make that happen. <br /><br />You're doing a great job here by the way, and I love seeing your updates. And as to steering people towards new movies, you introduced me to Teresa Wright a while ago, which I really truly thank you for ^_^Jezebellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01541773730945138048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-10398890603442872002013-05-09T17:46:31.730-07:002013-05-09T17:46:31.730-07:00If I'd had more time, I would have taken anoth...If I'd had more time, I would have taken another dozen or so screencaps because this film really is beautiful and Lancaster and Scott look spectacular. Mary Astor doesn't look half bad either but I think the hairstyle and some of the outfits sabotaged her.<br /><br />*Returns kisses*Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-39357602503209138582013-05-09T17:40:44.376-07:002013-05-09T17:40:44.376-07:00Judy, there's nothing I like better than heari...Judy, there's nothing I like better than hearing that I inspired somebody to check out a movie so thank you for that. As far as the subtext goes, I was impressed by how much they imply the mutuality of the relationship. Criminal characters that were coded gay were nothing new at the time (Peter Lorre in <i>The Maltese Falcon</i>, Van Heflin in <i>Johnny Eager</i>, etc.) but these two really do seem like a couple.<br /><br />You make an interesting point about the barest whisper of a Western plot that gets axed. It does seem to imply that an earlier draft of the screenplay gave his character more weight. As it is, I suppose you can take him as just another misfit in <i>Desert Fury's</i> dysfunctional cast.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-32258858917764760452013-05-09T13:24:27.403-07:002013-05-09T13:24:27.403-07:00Oooh, how many gorgeous people! The movie may be b...Oooh, how many gorgeous people! The movie may be bizarre, but at the same time interesting and very curious. I love to see Burt Lancaster in color and this is a new to me film, that I'll watch in the first opportunity I have.<br />Thanks for the comment in my post!<br />Kisses!Lêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-32401163036041474412013-05-09T01:56:27.411-07:002013-05-09T01:56:27.411-07:00Aubyn, I had to drop everything and see this film ...Aubyn, I had to drop everything and see this film after reading your review, then return for a reread. I am so glad to have seen it and think you really nail its strange, lush/overcooked quality with that amazing, shimmering Technicolor bringing across a sense of the heat - even though, as you say, the actors look so cool throughout. I love your line at the end 'a film that always seems to know more than it's telling'. <br /><br />The subtexts you talk about are blatant indeed, especially with Johnny and Eddie where their relationship is all but stated outright. I had to wonder how on earth that scene where Scott sees Hodiak's tangled bedclothes got past the censors! I definitely agree that Mary Astor and Wendell Corey have the most interesting characters, and I was keen to learn more about Fritzi's past. <br /><br />Must agree that it is a pity Burt Lancaster doesn't get more screen time. I think his character promises to be interesting early in the film, with the scene of him being thrown off the horse while trying to break it in and the tale of how he was previously thrown and "broke up inside" - for a while I was expecting the film to return to this and show him triumphing in the end, but no, that whole storyline is discarded. Almost as if a Western plot is offered one minute and then sacrificed to the atmosphere of smouldering noir. <br /><br />Judy Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-17576425926016453552013-05-08T13:06:31.127-07:002013-05-08T13:06:31.127-07:00Yeah, they do! It's kind of funny since they k...Yeah, they do! It's kind of funny since they keep talking about the hot desert town they live in (Hodiak calls it a "cactus graveyard") and yet Lancaster and Scott look cool and pristine in every single shot. Those little Coke bottles looked kind of cute, too.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-44470176282176653992013-05-08T12:45:27.351-07:002013-05-08T12:45:27.351-07:00Boy this sounds good. A definite must-see. I have ...Boy this sounds good. A definite must-see. I have vague, vague memories of seeing this years ago, but I don't remember it at all. Is there a scene where Burt Lancaster and Lizabeth Scott stop for Cokes in little bottles at a gas station? I dimly recall that, but I may have the wrong performers. <br /><br />Like you said, the subtext here sounds fascinating. Really enjoyed your post, Aubyn. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-24888293825084554032013-05-08T08:54:10.304-07:002013-05-08T08:54:10.304-07:00You know, if I'd had time I might have talked ...You know, if I'd had time I might have talked more about the noir aspect of <i>Desert Fury</i> since it's kind of borderline, as far as the genre goes. Sure, it's got some twisted people, but the story itself is closer to melodrama. But getting into genre definitions in an already long review would have been really pushing it.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting, Karen!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-84735274392769965662013-05-08T08:49:08.188-07:002013-05-08T08:49:08.188-07:00Cool, I'm always happy to steer people to new ...Cool, I'm always happy to steer people to new movies. As for pre-Code, I'd love to tackle it since I've got plenty of pre-Code favorites (<i>Night Nurse</i>, <i>The Public Enemy</i>, <i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i>, <i>Me and My Gal</i>, etc) and you pointed out, I haven't done one on this site yet.Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193750673421600279.post-52998831870918115072013-05-07T21:02:17.045-07:002013-05-07T21:02:17.045-07:00Ever since I heard "Desert Fury" describ...Ever since I heard "Desert Fury" described as a western noir, I've been interested in seeing it, but never more than now. Your write-up, as always, was stellar -- it had so many superb descriptions and turns of phrase that literally made me laugh out loud. These are my favorites: <br /><br />"At times, the script feels like a private bet on the part of screenwriter Robert Rossen to see if he could get away with making a movie that's essentially just one scene, repeated on an infinite loop."<br /> <br />"Her deep, throaty voice suggested cigarette smoke and bar hopping and a lifetime of harsh experience." (So awesome.)<br /><br />"Nor do I think most women would look at Burt Lancaster, his magnificent tawny hair blowing in the wind, and then run after John Hodiak, who manages to look more uncomfortable here than he did starving to death in Lifeboat."<br /><br />Really great stuff, Aubyn. <br /><br /><br /><br />Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939607801184112943noreply@blogger.com