Rating: Summary: Fantastic! Review: This is a great film to watch if you enjoy "film-noir". This is one of the definitive film-noir movies ever made. The gorgeous Gene Tierney stars as Laura, the classy and graceful socialite. The film also stars Dana Andrews as the detective assigned to learn about the circumstances surrounding her death. Vincent price gives a good performance as a debonair playboy. This film is very engrossing and will hold your attention all the way through.
Rating: Summary: Thank you, Mom and Dad Review: About 30 years ago, my parents , who sadly are both gone now, recommended Otto Preminger's "Laura" to me. At that time, I had only seen the notoriously bad made-for-TV version starring Lee Radziwill(!) and George Sanders. When I saw the 1944 version, I was hooked. "Laura" is one of those perfect films that draws you in every time. Now when I mean "perfect", that doesn't necessarily mean believable. "Laura" is an elegant, film noir fairy tale. I'm not really sure that Laura would end up with a rough-edged detective, but who cares? That's the magic of movies! The fact that you believe it while you're watching it is what counts. If you DON'T believe it WHILE you're watching it, that's when the trouble starts! But back to "Laura". The film is elegantly photographed, with sets that I wish I could live in. Then take a top-notch cast that features a drop-dead beautiful Gene Tierney, the acidic Clifton Webb (in an incredible screen debut), the tough/sexy Dana Andrews, and the elegant and deadly duo of Vincent Price and Judith Anderson, give them a sharp-as-a-poisoned stiletto script, and watch what happens! "Laura" is a tight, smart murder/mystery with some VERY dark undertones-the effects of beauty and desire on a frustrated and twisted psyche, the destructive and venal thoughts hidden behind a veneer of sophistication and wit, and a man's growing obsession with a (presumably) dead woman are just some of the dark forces at work here. The cherry on the sundae of this toxic dessert is David Raksin's score which, of course, introduced the world to the bittersweet theme song for "Laura." I was never a fan of the Johnny Mercer lyrics for this song-it was, to me, like tacking an instruction booklet onto the Mona Lisa. Some things are better left unspoken! I don't know how many times I've seen "Laura". I've lost count. My dear friend Susan and I could act it out in front of an audience like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," we've seen it that often. If you've seen "Laura", see it again. If you haven't, rent it, or better still, buy it. It gets better the 50th viewing around.
Rating: Summary: Best Detective Movie of all Time Review: Stylishly directed, perfectly cast (Clifton Webb is deliciously wicked),a beautiful haunting score, all in all the best mystery/detective movie I have ever viewed. This is a must have for any film fanatic!!
Rating: Summary: the best of the best! Review: This film is a what Film Noir is all about! Perfect in every area. Gene Tierney was never better in a pinnacle performance and Dana Andrews is wonderful. The greatly under rated Vincent Price and the brilliant Judith Anderson soar but Clifton Webb walks away with the film! How did this great actor loose the Oscar? His Waldo Lydecker is nothing short of brilliant! When he is on the screen I defy anyone to take their eyes from him. If you love a good mystery or film noir you can't miss this one.They don't get any better!!!
Rating: Summary: Laura is an Otto Preminger classic Review: Waldo Lydecker, who can forget that name or that character, portrayed by Clifton Webb. If you have not seen the film I do not want to give the plot away. This is an intelligent mystery distinguished by witty dialogue, stylistic photography and production design and excellent acting. Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Vincent Price are perfectly cast. Preminger being more of the technician and perfectionist assembled all these talents to produce this genuine classic. David Raksin's theme is one of Hollywood's standards. Joseph LaShelle won an Oscar for his Black & White Cinematography.
Rating: Summary: Justifiably a classic. Review: Laura is a classic example of film noir at its best. But it's also an outstanding film from the Golden Age of movies without regard to genre. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, and the cast -- including, Gene Tierney as Laura, Dana Andrews as the detective assigned to investigate her alleged murder, and Clifton Webb as her arrogant admirer -- play their parts well. I can't imagine how any true movie fan could not like this classic film -- even if you generally don't like film noir. And, once heard, can the song "Laura" ever be forgotten? Please don't miss this one.
Rating: Summary: Stylish Entertainment Review: Laura is possibly the most entertaining and engrossing crime drama ever to come out of Hollywood. Gene Tierney established herself as a first-rate actress with this film, and will forever be remembered as the enigmatic beauty who inspired David Raksin's romantic musical score. As detective Mark McPherson, Dana Andrews gives one of the great (and one of the most underrated) performances of his long film career. It's hard to imagine another actor coming close to his subtle characterization. The supporting cast is equally superb, with Cliffton Webb, Vincent Price, and Judith Anderson all turning in brilliant performances. Laura has some of the best dialogue in American film, rivaling the best of Joseph L. Mankiewicz, including All About Eve, already pointed out by another reviewer. Among the most memorable lines from this film, "I hope you'll never regret what promises to be a disgustingly earthy relationship," uttered with complete guile by Waldo Lydecker (Webb). And my favorite movie line of all time: "For a charming intelligent girl you've certainly surrounded yourself with a remarkable collection of dopes," delivered in a perfect deadpan manner by Andrews to Tierney toward the end of the film. The set direction and wardrobe are chic and stylish, similar in look to some of the best Alfred Hitchcock films. Laura is as original and contemporary today as it was when first released in 1944. An absolute gem; you will not be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: The pinnacle Review: Many serious movie fans think "All About Eve" was the most literate and sophisticated film ever made. Wrong--it's "Laura." Building from a script with dialog as crisp and deadly as machine gun bullets, it offers peak performances by Clifton Webb, Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Judith Anderson and Vincent Price, all working in a gripping murder mystery. Webb steals it with his acerbic, witty, put-downs, but everyone's giving 110 percent. Dana Andrews, generally nobody's idea of a great actor, is brilliant as Mark McPherson, the hard-boiled detective who falls for the supposedly dead Laura's portrait. ....
Rating: Summary: The most romantic of films noir Review: There is The Maltese Falcon (classic film noir); there is The Third Man (classic cynical film noir). Then there is Laura, classic romantic film noir. A great cast (Gene Tierney at her best, Dana Andrews at his best, Clifton Webb in a performance exceeded only by George Sanders in the even better All About Eve); a great film score (and possibly the greatest signature tune of all time). The Talented Mr. Ripley showed way too much, and was much too long. Laura shows exactly enough, and is just the right length. Watch this movie at your peril: the presence of Gene Tierney may make you, no matter your age, yearn for the days when movie stars had true mystique.
Rating: Summary: A Classic! Romance ,Suspense, and Startling Surprises! Review: When I first saw this film, it totally blew me away. I never expected it to be so magnificent! A beautifully made picture with outstanding performances by the absolutely gorgeous Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. The wonderful acting, compelling story, and a truly haunting theme song, are what make this film great. When I first started watching this film, I thought I would end up leaving. Fifteen minutes into the fim, I was hooked. I couldn't stop watching it. It was so mysterious and haunting, you just have to see the end. The movie just gets better and better. I was shocked by the end of the movie. It was fantastic! If you like classic films, you should defenitely see this movie. Laura is truly a MASTERPIECE!
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