MovieChat Forums > Hangover Square (1945) Discussion > On of the best movies because of Cregar'...

On of the best movies because of Cregar's performance!

posted 17 years ago by HoferPM-1
22 replies | jump to latest

I was seven years old when I first saw this movie and it has remained in my mind ever since. I must search for a DVD copy of it. Laird Cregar was the most talented actor I have ever seen. Just look at his eyes in The Lodger. Crash dieting is like a death sentence. He would have looked good in anything he did and he should have consulted a doctor before doing this diet. In the movie I particularly remember him carrying the body of Linda Darnell up the ladder to throw on the bond fire. I believe it was Guy Fawkes Day in England. Amazing movie. I will never forget Laird Cregar and I am now 68 years old!!!!

[–] moorje 17 years ago

Come on, this was a terrible film. The performance of Laird Cregar as George Bone was good, but the rest of the film was an entire mess. There was no characterisation, the acting was appalling, the plot was rushed and the conclusion lacked any urgency or tension.
From the very start of the film it is clear this film is a dumbed down exercise for cheap thrills, though the thrills are absent, The device of using 'Hangover Square' as an actual road name is ridiculous, it is supposed to be a metaphor!
Whilst the Guy Fawkes scene provided the only highlight of the film, this was a rushed, watered down travesty of a thriller. Don't even get me started on the differences from the novel. Now that truly is a great piece of work. This truly deserves to remain locked in the BFI vault!

[–] HoferPM-1 17 years ago

I only paid attention to Cregar's performance and cared nothing for the rest of the movie and I also never read the book so I couldn't compare anything. I am a big fan of Cregar's and that's all. He dieted so severely for this film and what did it get him, death. A fantastic actor was lost for a nothing film.

[–] vonhangman 17 years ago

I agree with the earlier poster that Patrick Hamilton's "Hangover Square" is an extraordinary book.

And, yes, the use of the title as a literal placename is a stroke of pure stupidity.

But, if you can get over that, and I admit it is somewhat difficult, "Hangover Square" is not a negligible film at all. It is a very good film. The novel is, I contend, completely unfilmable. Perhaps the story that was made into a film instead ought to have been called "A Penny for the Guy" or "I Fell Into a Ring of Fire" or something else; but then again maybe Patrick Hamilton was given a handsome cheque for the use of the title. I hope so, anyway.

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[–] Jes' Sayin' (5998) 5 years ago

It seems the script didn't do the story justice, even though everyone else was trying mightily. Star Laird Cregar was totally unhappy with it and walked off the set for a time.

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[–] tornhill-1 16 years ago

If anyone thinks that this is a terrible film might have to look at the extraordinary camerawork or the superb music score by Bernard Herrmann. Quite a lot to keep ones mouth open for the entire running time of the film.

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[–] LCShackley 16 years ago

I hate to disagree with everyone here but Cregar left me totally cold. He's just a big lump on screen with a vacuous expression on his face.

I will give him high marks, however, for the obvious preparation he did to fake the piano parts. He's usually right on the money with the correct notes...and the Herrmann concerto is very difficult for a non-pianist. Does anyone know if Laird Cregar was also a musician?

[–] FranLovesBetteD 13 years ago

I hate to disagree with everyone here but Cregar left me totally cold. He's just a big lump on screen with a vacuous expression on his face.

I'm really sorry to admit it, but I think exactly the same. I was greatly impressed by his amazing performance in "I Wake Up Screaming", therefore I wanted to explore more of his work, so I purchased the Fox DVD set that contains this movie, but found his acting kind of disappointing. Sure, like you mentioned, he has his remarkable moments in it, but for the most part I found his performance rather over-the-top and predictable. Now I have hopes about his other movie on the set: "The Lodger", which I'm planning on watching tonight.

Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

[–] Ipsissimus 16 years ago

It's my opinion that Cregar was an actor of almost unlimited potential. Extremely good in Hangover Square and in everything else. I think it's a shame Preminger vetoed him for Waldo Lydecker in Laura, because he would have added some interesting quirks to the role, rather than Clifton Webb's okay but prissy and shallow characterization. Cregar also wanted and lost the role of Lord Henry Wotton in The Picture of Dorian Gray, in which George Sanders was undeniably fine, but I can see Cregar giving a magnificent interpretation of the role. He would have been very good in a variety of Shakespearean roles as well. One of the greatest losses in film history was Laird Cregar.

" Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough."

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[–] rabit818-1 15 years ago

The movie has its moments, especially the ending. I was feeling giddy when I saw this movie on TCM. I could not help giggle when Laird had extreme close ups while playing the piano and having 'visions'. Another precious moment was when fiancé confronted Laird in the parlor. Laird not coming home the night before, the knife in his coat, the newspaper... she seemed pretty relaxed about the scenario. Love it!

[–] teevee 15 years ago

This movie was EXCELLENT!
I also thought Laird and Linda worked well together in this film. He could have starred in many more great films had he dieted properly instead of this fast crash diet stuff. It's just sad.

[–] AliciaHuberman59 15 years ago

I'm saddened to hear that his dieting caused his death, and at such a young age. I agree he would have brought something special to "Laura" as Waldo.

[–] Mandrakegray 15 years ago

INCREDIBLE film with an amazing performance by Cregar. The movie contains two of my favorite set pieces in a film from that great period of the mid 40's. Ignore the negative comments above and explore the film for yourself. You'll find it's deserving of the critical acclaim it enjoys. The dvd contains a nice documentary on Cregar, as well as a worthwhile commentary track.

[–] cdjunkee-1 13 years ago

Thought the movie was pretty good. I had no idea about the tragic deaths of Cregar and Darnell. gives the film a little oomph I think. honestly I had no idea the film took place in the early 1900's. I thought it would be a more mainstream Noire film that took place in the 50's. so the whole storyline took me by surprise.

~I love the rhythm it is my methoood!~

[–] ChristianeK 9 years ago

I try to find a copy, this sounds interesting.
I know it´s B&W, but I would have liked to see Linda Darnell´s gorgeous first dress in gorgeous Technicolor...

[–] Darksidecrew 9 years ago

I think the film has much to offer over and above Cregars performance, he is good in it but the whole film is good.

[–] FilmNoirFanVA 9 years ago

Agreed! I thoroughly enjoyed this film and was suprised to see so many negative comments... It rates high up there in my book!