Rating: 
Summary: The Blue Gardenia
Review: "I was really mad," director Fritz Lang conceded relative to his work on "The Blue Gardenia." Lang, one of the numerous talented German emigrees escaping Hitler's Germany, a group also consisting of Billy Wilder, Robert Siodmak and Max Reinhardt, had been offered the position of the head of filmmaking for the Third Reich's Propaganda Ministry by none other than Joseph Goebbels. Lang, who loathed what the Third Reich stood for, believed the offer was no more than a trap and his days were numbered if he stayed in Berlin. That same night he made his escape to Paris, after which he came to America and found a position in Hollywood making films.Thoroughly fed up with thought control and the imprisonment of ideas, and all too subsequently people as well, Lang was furious over the Cold War response to the new challenge of the Soviet Union, that of McCarthyism and its sorry influence over the film industry with the blacklist period highlighted by the imprisonment of the Hollywood Ten for refusing to name names to the House Un-American Activities Committee. The term that civil libertarians of the period used was "guilt by association" and, in his creative anger, this was the story thrust of "The Blue Gardenia." Charles Hoffman's screenplay focused tightly on the tragic experience of one lovely and vulnerable young woman, Anne Baxter, who, as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, becomes the subject of a city wide media blitz and corresponding woman hunt which blankets Los Angeles and leaves her terrified and appropriately paranoiac. Baxter's journey into hell begins one evening after opening a letter from the man she loves in her apartment on her birthday. Her roommates Ann Sothern and Jeff Donnell are both gone and Baxter milks the occasion for romance, pouring herself a champagne toast and playing soft music as she reads what she believes will be a romantic letter from the man she hopes to marry, who is serving in the military in Korea during that conflict. They have been sweethearts since high school in Bakersfield, where they grew up some 100 miles from L.A. Instead of receiving a romantic letter she tearfully reads about him finding love with the nurse he met when he was hospitalized from a war injury, the woman he now intends to marry. Caught in a vulnerable state, Baxter then receives a call from wolfish artist Raymond Burr, who was attempting to reach her roommate Sothern. Burr has an office near the main switchboard room of the telephone company, where Baxter and her roommates work as operators. Feeling crushed, she agrees to meet Burr and have dinner with him at The Blue Gardenia, a Hollywood restaurant-nightclub, where she listens to Nat "King" Cole's romantic rendering of the film's title song. Burr gets her drunk on exotic Polynesian drinks, then drives her to his apartment. When Burr lives up to his reputation by coming on fast, Baxter resists. She then passes out, waking up and finding her highly romantic host lying on the rug. She quickly exits, walking home barefoot in the rain. Richard Conte, a shrewd, ambitious newspaper columnist, surfaces on the scene next. When Burr, whose reputation definitely preceded him, is found dead in his apartment, the opportunity surfaces for regular headlines and the sale of an endless stream of newspapers. Since Baxter had been seen with Burr at nightclub, where she was provided with a free blue gardenia as befitting the establishment's custom, Conte uses the catchy name in his stories as the woman hunt heats up. Unable to remember what happened in her conflict with Burr, a frightened Baxter burns her potentially incriminating dress which she wore that night in the trash. A police officer happens by but she barely gets away with her deed. Another time the former husband of Ann Sothern, a practical joker, causes her to hang up the telephone in fright when he calls and asks, "Is this the Blue Gardenia?" Eventually Baxter, who is presumed guilty in the rush to judgment media style, reminiscent of McCarthy Era guilt by association, takes advantage of an offer by Conte sent via his column to meet him in private. He offers to be helpful and see that she receives fair treatment by the police. Instead the wily lieutenant heading the case's task force, played by George Reeves of the "Superman" television series, apprehends Baxter at the fast food restaurant near the newspaper where she has gone to meet Conte. Baxter believes she has been deceived by a reporter for whom she was developing a rapid romantic crush. Conte insists that Reeves is the culprit and he never deceived her. Eventually the wily Conte cracks the case, feeling guilty over launching the Blue Gardenia frenzy. A nifty twist at film's end reveals the identity of the actual killer after bulldog reporter Conte follows up successfully on a clue. Fritz Lang proved once more in "The Blue Gardenia" how skilled he was at putting over a film on a small budget. The action is maintained while the major point he was seeking to make was put across to the audience without reducing the film to preachiness.
Rating:
Summary: Striking Out at McCarthyism
Review: "I was really mad," director Fritz Lang conceded relative to his work on "The Blue Gardenia." Lang, one of the numerous talented German emigrees escaping Hitler's Germany, a group also consisting of Billy Wilder, Robert Siodmak and Max Reinhardt, had been offered the position of the head of filmmaking for the Third Reich's Propaganda Ministry by none other than Joseph Goebbels. Lang, who loathed what the Third Reich stood for, believed the offer was no more than a trap and his days were numbered if he stayed in Berlin. That same night he made his escape to Paris, after which he came to America and found a position in Hollywood making films. Thoroughly fed up with thought control and the imprisonment of ideas, and all too subsequently people as well, Lang was furious over the Cold War response to the new challenge of the Soviet Union, that of McCarthyism and its sorry influence over the film industry with the blacklist period highlighted by the imprisonment of the Hollywood Ten for refusing to name names to the House Un-American Activities Committee. The term that civil libertarians of the period used was "guilt by association" and, in his creative anger, this was the story thrust of "The Blue Gardenia." Charles Hoffman's screenplay focused tightly on the tragic experience of one lovely and vulnerable young woman, Anne Baxter, who, as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, becomes the subject of a city wide media blitz and corresponding woman hunt which blankets Los Angeles and leaves her terrified and appropriately paranoiac. Baxter's journey into hell begins one evening after opening a letter from the man she loves in her apartment on her birthday. Her roommates Ann Sothern and Jeff Donnell are both gone and Baxter milks the occasion for romance, pouring herself a champagne toast and playing soft music as she reads what she believes will be a romantic letter from the man she hopes to marry, who is serving in the military in Korea during that conflict. They have been sweethearts since high school in Bakersfield, where they grew up some 100 miles from L.A. Instead of receiving a romantic letter she tearfully reads about him finding love with the nurse he met when he was hospitalized from a war injury, the woman he now intends to marry. Caught in a vulnerable state, Baxter then receives a call from wolfish artist Raymond Burr, who was attempting to reach her roommate Sothern. Burr has an office near the main switchboard room of the telephone company, where Baxter and her roommates work as operators. Feeling crushed, she agrees to meet Burr and have dinner with him at The Blue Gardenia, a Hollywood restaurant-nightclub, where she listens to Nat "King" Cole's romantic rendering of the film's title song. Burr gets her drunk on exotic Polynesian drinks, then drives her to his apartment. When Burr lives up to his reputation by coming on fast, Baxter resists. She then passes out, waking up and finding her highly romantic host lying on the rug. She quickly exits, walking home barefoot in the rain. Richard Conte, a shrewd, ambitious newspaper columnist, surfaces on the scene next. When Burr, whose reputation definitely preceded him, is found dead in his apartment, the opportunity surfaces for regular headlines and the sale of an endless stream of newspapers. Since Baxter had been seen with Burr at nightclub, where she was provided with a free blue gardenia as befitting the establishment's custom, Conte uses the catchy name in his stories as the woman hunt heats up. Unable to remember what happened in her conflict with Burr, a frightened Baxter burns her potentially incriminating dress which she wore that night in the trash. A police officer happens by but she barely gets away with her deed. Another time the former husband of Ann Sothern, a practical joker, causes her to hang up the telephone in fright when he calls and asks, "Is this the Blue Gardenia?" Eventually Baxter, who is presumed guilty in the rush to judgment media style, reminiscent of McCarthy Era guilt by association, takes advantage of an offer by Conte sent via his column to meet him in private. He offers to be helpful and see that she receives fair treatment by the police. Instead the wily lieutenant heading the case's task force, played by George Reeves of the "Superman" television series, apprehends Baxter at the fast food restaurant near the newspaper where she has gone to meet Conte. Baxter believes she has been deceived by a reporter for whom she was developing a rapid romantic crush. Conte insists that Reeves is the culprit and he never deceived her. Eventually the wily Conte cracks the case, feeling guilty over launching the Blue Gardenia frenzy. A nifty twist at film's end reveals the identity of the actual killer after bulldog reporter Conte follows up successfully on a clue. Fritz Lang proved once more in "The Blue Gardenia" how skilled he was at putting over a film on a small budget. The action is maintained while the major point he was seeking to make was put across to the audience without reducing the film to preachiness.
Rating:
Summary: This Flower Is Still Fresh!
Review: Fritz lang's The Blue Gardenia has to be one of the most loathing and emotionally violent takes on human kind that you have to not only love it but look at yourself differently when its over! Baxter has one hell of a night after being taken advantage of by a imposing and mountain-esque Raymond Burr she fids her self not only accused of murder but accused of being a threat to society as a whole! Lang paints a gritty tale never does the film seem bright or on the point of letting Baxter see the light - even her catty roomates are vile in their delivery of compassion for her distressed life. But for as the film as a whole the movie is built on Raymond Burr. His performance is genius and so is Baxter but Burr an dhis husky voice and shadowing figure seems to roll over Baxter and the women he seduces like a bug under a tank! So to the viewer her intetions are justifed and we never forget why she has to push so hard to define her self but for all teh respect Richard Conte's do good reporter offers Baxter in her quest for redemption the scene of Burr and Conte discussing women as conquests still leaves a shudder down my back!
Rating: 
Summary: Be Forewarned.
Review: Having seen and enjoyed most of Fritz Lang's movies from his Berlin period, I bought this highly recommended DVD sight unseen. It was a great disappointment. Where to begin? The story is weak and predictable; the dialogue is very cliched; the acting--excepting Raymond Burr's wonderful performance as a sleazy artist--is unconvincing. Don't expect what the DVD label tells you--this is no "noir thriller" and it doesn't do anything to expose McCarthyism, despite Lang's pretentious comments. One nice touch: there is a brief 5 minute scene with Nat King Cole singing "Blue Gardenia" in what was becoming a new trend in early 1950's America: a Chinese restaurant. As a period piece, this film has some merit, but don't expect a well crafted noir film like the "Maltese Falcon", "Sunset Boulevard", or even "M" or "Dr Mabuse".
Rating:
Summary: Be Forewarned.
Review: Having seen and enjoyed most of Fritz Lang's movies from his Berlin period, I bought this highly recommended DVD sight unseen. It was a great disappointment. Where to begin? The story is weak and predictable; the dialogue is very cliched; the acting--excepting Raymond Burr's wonderful performance as a sleazy artist--is unconvincing. Don't expect what the DVD label tells you--this is no "noir thriller" and it doesn't do anything to expose McCarthyism, despite Lang's pretentious comments. One nice touch: there is a brief 5 minute scene with Nat King Cole singing "Blue Gardenia" in what was becoming a new trend in early 1950's America: a Chinese restaurant. As a period piece, this film has some merit, but don't expect a well crafted noir film like the "Maltese Falcon", "Sunset Boulevard", or even "M" or "Dr Mabuse".
Rating: 
Summary: Amusing
Review: I bought this movie really to try out a couple of the melodramatic Hollywood movies that came out in the 50s. It definitely pulls that need off. The simple thriller works both as a 'twist at the end' whodunnit and as a stylish Hollywood piece. But at the end it's just a quaint simple movie.
Rating:
Summary: Amusing
Review: I bought this movie really to try out a couple of the melodramatic Hollywood movies that came out in the 50s. It definitely pulls that need off. The simple thriller works both as a 'twist at the end' whodunnit and as a stylish Hollywood piece. But at the end it's just a quaint simple movie.
Rating:
Summary: The (nonexistant) Black Dahlia connection. . .
Review: I just wanted to clarify some inaccuracies put forth in a couple previous reviews: 1) "The Blue Dahlia" was released on April 19, 1946. 2) Elizabeth Short's body was found nine months later, on January 15, 1947. It is most commonly believed that she was nicknamed the "Black Dahlia" by a sensationalistic press looking for a catchy nickname. It is probably a reference to both the Veronica Lake film, and the fact that Beth had a fondness for black clothing. 3) This film, "The Blue Gardenia" was not released until 1953, and really has nothing overtly to do with the notorious unsolved murder of Beth Short. However, I CAN see where the filmmakers may have slightly exploited the fact that the Black Dahlia had seeped well into America's collective unconscious by then. Anyone interested in the facts and theories surrounding the Black Dahlia case would do better to consult www.bethshort.com or to read John Gilmore's book "Severed", available right here at Amazon!
Rating:
Summary: "Sudden death sells papers."
Review: In "The Blue Gardenia" Norah Larkin (Anne Baxter) is a naive telephone operator who sits at home most evenings. Her fiance is stationed in Korea, so while Norah's two roommates enjoy their social lives, Norah turns down offers and stays home to read letters from Korea. Artist/playboy Harry Prebble (Raymond Burr) telephones one evening--he thinks he's calling one of Norah's roommates, but he gets a distraught Norah instead. Norah accepts Prebble's invitation to meet for dinner at the Blue Gardenia. After downing half a dozen Polynesian Pearl Divers, a very inebriated Norah accompanies Prebble to his home. The next day, Norah can't remember a thing, but newspaper headlines announce Prebble's murder--and a hunt begins for the mysterious blonde murderess now known as "the Blue Gardenia." "The Blue Gardenia"--directed by Fritz Lang--is film noir, but it is also considered an entry in the sub-genre of newspaper noir. A great deal of the plot focuses on newspaperman Casey Mayo's unethical attempts to contact the murderess and get an exclusive story. Mayo (Richard Conte) will stop at nothing to sell the paper, and he capitalizes on sensationalism and the sleazy aspects of the murder. "The Blue Gardenia" is an interesting film as it has a few twists on some familiar themes--for example, the killer is a woman, and a male offers comfort (although it's a false offer). Plus Norah's reputation is at risk by even admitting she's stepped into a man's apartment--anyone who downs 6 Polynesian Pearl Divers is a real floozy in everyone's eyes. There's also an appearance of Nat King Cole singing Blue Gardenia. The initial set-up with Norah and her roommates was refreshingly original, and Anne Baxter gave a credible performance as the naive Norah. Unfortunately the plot denouement was contrived, hasty and far too simplistic. Film noir fans will enjoy the film for its novelties, but it's not one of the greats--displacedhuman
Rating:
Summary: "Sudden death sells papers."
Review: In "The Blue Gardenia" Norah Larkin (Anne Baxter) is a naive telephone operator who sits at home most evenings. Her fiance is stationed in Korea, so while Norah's two roommates enjoy their social lives, Norah turns down offers and stays home to read letters from Korea. Artist/playboy Harry Prebble (Raymond Burr) telephones one evening--he thinks he's calling one of Norah's roommates, but he gets a distraught Norah instead. Norah accepts Prebble's invitation to meet for dinner at the Blue Gardenia. After downing half a dozen Polynesian Pearl Divers, a very inebriated Norah accompanies Prebble to his home. The next day, Norah can't remember a thing, but newspaper headlines announce Prebble's murder--and a hunt begins for the mysterious blonde murderess now known as "the Blue Gardenia." "The Blue Gardenia"--directed by Fritz Lang--is film noir, but it is also considered an entry in the sub-genre of newspaper noir. A great deal of the plot focuses on newspaperman Casey Mayo's unethical attempts to contact the murderess and get an exclusive story. Mayo (Richard Conte) will stop at nothing to sell the paper, and he capitalizes on sensationalism and the sleazy aspects of the murder. "The Blue Gardenia" is an interesting film as it has a few twists on some familiar themes--for example, the killer is a woman, and a male offers comfort (although it's a false offer). Plus Norah's reputation is at risk by even admitting she's stepped into a man's apartment--anyone who downs 6 Polynesian Pearl Divers is a real floozy in everyone's eyes. There's also an appearance of Nat King Cole singing Blue Gardenia. The initial set-up with Norah and her roommates was refreshingly original, and Anne Baxter gave a credible performance as the naive Norah. Unfortunately the plot denouement was contrived, hasty and far too simplistic. Film noir fans will enjoy the film for its novelties, but it's not one of the greats--displacedhuman
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