MovieChat Forums > Scarlet Street (1945) Discussion > WOW WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!!

WOW WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!!

posted 14 years ago by BG43214
24 replies | jump to latest

I saw this a few years ago and just again last night - DVRd from TCM......I could watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it!!

There are only a few other movies I can say that about; "A Place in the Sun" is another one........never tire of it..

But I digress........This is what movie-making is supposed to be all about....the characters/plot/plot twists, oh I could rave on and on about it.......

Could there actually be anyone out there who does NOT like this movie? If so, you need your head examined!!!

I esp. liked Dureay and Bennett.of course Ed. G. is no slouch.....what the hell, they are ALL just PERFECT in this movie....

Now I'm going to try to find the novel it was based on......has anyone else ever found it or read it?

Anyway, I will shutup now and let someone else on here have their say!!

HAIL SCARLET STREET!! and Fritz Lang, too!!!!

[–] franzkabuki 14 years ago

You should also see Renoir´s original adaptation La Chienne from 1931 - it´s actually even better than Scarlet Streets. Mainly because the ending which, in Lang´s film is sort of a weakness (Robinson´s hammy babbling was kinda silly), but in Renoir´s is absolutely great and, in fact, some of the best I´ve ever seen in any film. Renoir btw didn´t much like the "remake".

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] BG43214 14 years ago

Thanks so much!!!!!

Now I've got to see the Renoir version...hope Netflix has it; if not, I'll find it somewhere; how did you see it?

Just started watching it again last night .(kept it on my DVR)....and I am amazed at Joan Bennett's performance; she is incredibly right for the role; and Lang sure knew how to direct her for the maximum effect of the part she plays......and Duryea has always been one of my favorites....and of course Robinson...not so big a fan of his, until I'd seen him in a few of his older films....what an actor!!

Have you ever watched a movie more than once? Which ones, and why?

Thanks again!!!!!

[–] franzkabuki 14 years ago

I downloaded it; at the time, at least, it seemed to be a hard movie to find on DVD. Don´t know about Netflix. The main difference between SS and La Chienne though is that while Lang played it straight ie as a purely tragic drama, Renoir´s picture has plenty of very black humour in it. As said, fine films both.

As for rewatching films - you kidding me? Record shows that there are some 35 films I´ve seen more than 10 times. I´m a pretty big rewatcher alright.

Btw did Duryea with his slimy, sleazy looks ever play anyone other than a complete scumbag? He sure looks perfect for the role.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] maryg_mindworks 14 years ago

I read the novel (in French) when I took French in college. It was released in English as a dimestore novel in the '50's under the title "La Sensulite" it has also been released with the title "The Turn of the Worm" and "Poor Sap". I found all three titles available on Amazon.

I have a copy of the Renoir movie and it is indeed excellent - I think I love them both equally - and for different reasons.

[–] robbbbo 14 years ago

It was great but also one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen

"You're killin' me Smalls!"

[–] BG43214 14 years ago

While watching "Scarlet Street' for the second time, I was really amazed at how the murder was handled; Robinson stabbing Bennett with the icepick...

.....I watched it, one frame at a time, and could see just how it was done....you can see Joan ducking under the blanket, then Robinson stabs here......I thought that surely there would be a cut from her to him, which, of course, would mean that she got out of the bed and they used a pillow, etc., for him to stab.

....Not so!! if you watch this frame at a time, you can see that after she ducks under the covers, he stabs her!! if there was an edit/cut there, I sure couldnt see it!!

Your thoughts????

and yes, it was kind of depressing, but not a 'bad' depressing...

[–] robbbbo 14 years ago

I agree that murder scene was very very well done, and totally shocking to me I didn't see it coming at all. It's not a movie I would see again though, I just felt so horrible for Chris the entire film lol

"You're killin' me Smalls!"

[–] BG43214 14 years ago

The original version of the murder was censored in a few states so the studio re-edited it...OH what I'd give to see the original scene!!

STILL cannot figure out how it was done!!!!!!!

oh well, just meant for us to enjoy and not try to 'dissect' too closely!!

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] helptext 13 years ago

While watching "Scarlet Street' for the second time, I was really amazed at how the murder was handled; Robinson stabbing Bennett with the icepick

all the concluding frames are masterful by Lang, Bennett's murder in her bed (we feel dread despite of her previous amoral speech), the mistaken execution of Duryea's character (who cracks up inviting us compassion, after all he needed her as much as Kitty needed him) until the unpredictable and late punishing ending Lang inflicts on Edward G. Robinson. Terrible but masterful.

[–] Errington_92 13 years ago

I liked the way in which the themes of masculinity and femininity were incorporated into Scarlet Street. The extent in which the protagonist's masculinity is reduced by his Wife and home life, the portrait of her former Husband a constant reminder of his inferior masculinity. Even more so is his masculinity reduced by Kitty which is were femininity comes into play.

Kitty used her feminine side to manipulate the protagonist both emotionally and financally, making the protagonist emasculated. Yet femininity has a weak side in Scarlet Street as Johnny manipulates Kitty's femininity to get his own way. By controlling Kitty, Johnny consolidates his own masculinity by being the dominant male in their relationship. To sum up Scarlet Street shows us the pros and cons of masculinity and femininity.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] IFeedPigeons 13 years ago

For the stabbing scene, they probably just used a prop ice pick with a retractable spike, like they do with knives - it simply goes up into the handle. Pretty easy, I should think.

May I have 10 thousand marbles, please?
- Flounder, Animal House

[–] Lincbond442 12 years ago

Just got the Alpha Video dvd release of this great film. I did see the transition just before the stabbing. It happens as Edward G. raises the ice pick and right after Ms Bennett ducks under the covers. It is easy to miss but there is definitly a very minute transition which is best seen at regular speed and not frame by frame. A very well done scene and most assuredly very shocking for a 1945 audience.

"Who knows, Mr. Gilbert, what a limit really is." Lincoln Bond, "Toward The Unknown", 1956

[–] BG43214 12 years ago

Wish I could have seen the transition you speak of, but I didn't.....Someone else replied here that the ice pick probably had a retractable 'blade' and that's why it was so easy to do.........I tend to agree with this.......but then, your observation of the 'transition' is very interesting!!

Now I"ll have to see it again.......and keep my eyes peeled!!

But the 'fake' ice pick is also possible! after all, it was Hollywood!!

[–] weirdturnpro 14 years ago

Totally agree! It's one of the greatest film noirs ever made. I need to see the Renoir myself.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] sanziano 12 years ago

God bless you. I share exactly the same felling

[–] BG43214 12 years ago

I had it on my DVR and even watched it a second time......esp. for Joan Bennett's performance!!

I never thought much of her one way or the other, but this movie clinched my respect for her as an actor!!! You just can't imagine anyone else in that role, right!!?!??

and Duryea's always been a favorite of mine........and of course Eddy G was good, too......

are you going to watch it again soon? lol.......I bet you will!!!!

[–] oneofmanytinos 10 years ago

Yeah! I gave it a 9/10

[–] Noir-It-All 10 years ago

In an interview late in his career, Dan Duryea said Joan Bennett was the best actress he ever worked with. Fritz Lang once declared that Dan Duryrea was the best actor he ever worked with.

[–] richard.fuller1 10 years ago

I've heard of this one before but didn't have a clue what it was about.

Caught Woman In the Window this morning and was steered here. I'm impressed! They are marvels!

Going to check out this French one if I can.