adpye

IMDb member since January 2000
    Lifetime Total
    10+
    IMDb Member
    24 years

Reviews

Something to Live For
(1952)

AA at work
I enjoyed this film a lot. Joan Fontaine plays Jenny Carey, a struggling actress whose insecurities and stage fright drive her to drink. Ray Milland is Allan Miller, an advertising executive who is a recovering alcoholic and a member of AA. He is called to Jenny's hotel room by the elevator operator one night when Jenny had been on a drinking binge. She was due at a rehearsal of a Broadway play. This meeting of Jenny and Alan lead to romance, even though Allen is married and has two children and one on the way. Jenny tries to cut off the romance as she feels it is improper, but Allan is totally taken with Jenny and wants to continue the romance. Joan Fontaine and Ray Milland have wonderful screen chemistry. Both are excellent as their respective characters, although parts of the script are somewhat weak. Will Alan leave his wife for Jenny? Will Jenny conquer alcoholism and get her chance to star in a Broadway play? This film is seldom seen on cable, but is sometimes put up for bid on eBay. It is certainly worth a look. The film was directed by George Stevens.

Darling, How Could You!
(1951)

Darling film
Based on J. M. Barrie's play "Alice-Sit-By-The-Fire" this an entertaining comedy/drama with Joan Fontaine as Mrs. Alice Grey, John Lund as Dr. Robert Grey, and Mona Feeman as Amy Grey as their young teen-age daughter. Amy and their two other children, one an infant, and one a boy of about seven have been in the care of a nanny while Dr. and Mrs. Grey have been away for five years helping fight typhoid, malaria, and other diseases connected with the construction of the Panama Canal. The Grey's are homesick and decide to return to New York City and their children. Before their return, Amy and her brother see a Broadway play about a cheating wife and Amy declares she now knows all about the "seamy side" of life. After a period of awkward readjustment with their children, Amy overhears her mother's telephone conversation to Steven (played by Peter Hanson who is a friend of Dr. and Mrs. Grey) and Amy just knows her mother is having an affair just as the woman in the play did. She decides to put a stop to her mother's "seamy side" and dresses up in her mother's clothes and goes to Steven's house on the night she heard her mother say she would meet him there. When both her mother and father show up, poor Dr. Steven Clark is so confused because Amy told him that a married woman is secretly in love with him and would be coming to his house that evening. A really funny set of circumstances follow. Mrs. Grey finds her daughter hiding in a closet at Steven's house, all dressed up in Mrs. Grey's clothes, with gloves and tissues dangling from the bodice of her dress. As the misunderstanding unfolds, Dr. and Mrs. Grey play up the situation to the hilt. As usual Joan Fontaine, dressed in period costume, looks gorgeous and she and John Lund both do a great job of portraying their characters. Each shows their flair for comedy. John Lund was so handsome in this film. Mona Freeman was adorable as Amy and turned in a charming performance. She was perfect casting as Joan's daughter as she really looked like she could be Joan's own real-life offspring. It is seldom seen on cable, but if it does show up, try to catch it or tape it. It is worth a look.

September Affair
(1950)

A Great Romantic Pairing
This is one great romantic film. Joan Fontaine and Joseph Cotten who are presumed to be passengers on a ill-fated flight and, though listed as among the dead, are actually alive. They fall in love and spend time together in a villa in Florence. The wonderful "September Song" weaves its magic throughout the film. Joan Fontaine is vivacious, luminous and charming in her role as Manina Stewart and Joseph Cotten is great as David Lawrence. This is one of my all-time favorite films. It is available on video.

The Affairs of Susan
(1945)

Joan Fontaine is brilliant
Joan Fontaine shines brilliantly in one of her rare comedies. She plays Susan who is pursued by four different men, each with distinct personalities. As she adapts to each of her suitors personalities, we see a different Susan and a delightful Joan Fontaine. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys witty dialogue, a brisk paced film. super performances by a supporting cast, and most especially anyone who loves clever story lines. Edith Head designed the clothes Ms. Fontaine wears and they are to die for. It is not available on video, so tape it when it comes on cable. Every once in a while you can purchase it on Ebay. Joan Fontaine is simply great in this movie.

This Above All
(1942)

A great film
This is a wonderfully acted, compelling love story set during WWII in England. Joan Fontaine's portrayal of an aristocratic woman who joins the WAAFS and falls in love with a deserter (Tyrone Power) is superb. She is beautiful, tender, courageous, and quite believable as Prudence. Her speech on what England means is eloquent and is one of the highlights of the film. Tyrone Power is awesome as Clive, too. Joan's character is steadfast in her love for Clive and the chemistry between Joan and Tyrone is wonderful. With the resurgence of patriotism in America this film should be shown more often on the movie channels. Maybe they will catch on soon. A not-to-missed film.

Ivy
(1947)

An excellent film
Joan Fontaine stars as the villain in this Victorian era film. She convincingly plays the married woman who has a lover on the side and also sets her sights on a wealthy man, Miles Rushworth who is played by Herbert Marshall. Mr. Marshall is quite good as Miles. Miss Fontaine acted her part to perfection--she was at the same time cunning, calculating, innocent looking, frightened and charming. It takes an actress with extraordinary talent to pull that off. Joan Fontaine looked absolutely gorgeous in the elegant costumes by Travis Banton. Also in the film is Joan's mother, Lillian Fontaine as Lady Flora. I highly recommend this film.

From This Day Forward
(1946)

A great WWII movie
Joan Fontaine and Mark Stevens make a wonderful newly-wed couple struggling with the daily ups and downs of life in pre-WWII and at the start of US involvement. Joan Fontaine makes a totally believable young wife who deals with unemployment, poverty, and the struggle to survive in the Bronx. Miss Fontaine, in a break from her shy wife roles, completely captivates the mood of the story and shows her versatility as an actress. She is wonderful in her role. Mark Stevens is wonderful,too,as her husband whose doubts about supporting his wife and his struggle to gain employment are sincerely portrayed. The film is based on a novel "All Brides are Beautiful". This film could have easily become a real "downer" but instead it inspires hope and faith in the human spirit. I highly recommend this film.

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