Great direction, tight script, fabulous cinematograph, good acting - my only quibble is that Crawford was too mature, genteel and self-assured for a carnival dancer. Crawford was a terrific actress but a young sex-pot who could act could have devoured the part.
shareThis was an excellent vehicle for Crawford, having much of the team behind "Mildred Pierce" behind it, including director Michael Curtiz and co-star Zachary Scott. It was a good, flavorful melodrama that kept you interested with a thoroughly nasty role for Sydney Greenstreet. But I have to agree with you, that Crawford was actually about 10 years too old for her role. In the trivia section, it says that Ann Sheridan passed on this role before it went to Crawford - she shouldn't have, as it was tailor-made for her and would have ended up as one of her finest films, no doubt.
shareTotally agree with you, digitaldiva. Having said that, the quality of this is typical of Crawford's films at Warner Bros. This also benefits from having a fine supporting cast. But I think the really striking thing about it is the depth of Joan Crawford's performance.
Over-all, this is in a slightly lesser camp just beneath her early Warner trio - Mildred Pierce, Humoresque and Possessed.
I've just watched this for this first time and I'm sorry I waited so long. I agree it has been customarily underrated by critics over the years. In fact, for entertainment value and ensemble performance I would rate it over the three post-war Crawford movies you mention that preceded it. The theory was that Crawford was in diminuendo with each picture, but I heartily disagree and would rate this overall up with or better than Cat On a Hot Tin Roof or Home from the Hill as Southern home-truths films a full decade later.
shareI just finished watching this for the first time and I’m surprised I hadn’t heard more about it. Joan Crawford is wonderful but Sidney Greenstreet is the star of this film. He’s a delicious villain! Absolutely ruthless! All the supporting actors were excellent. This is a hidden gem for classic movie fans.
shareIt's hard to imagine people thinking this isn't that good of a film. It's terrific! Probably my second-favorite Crawford film, after "Mildred Pierce".
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