Joan Leslie - Born to Be Bad (1950) Discussion

[–] apriceaboverubies29 12 years ago

Definitely agree that Leslie is the best thing about this dim movie. And she looked so beautiful. Fontaine paled next to her in some very unflattering costumes and a poor choice of hairstyle. Btw, the two Joans should have switched roles.

The flip side of fear is understanding.

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[–] AliciaHuberman59 12 years ago

She was beautiful and did a wonderful job in this role.

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[–] bron-tay 12 years ago

Agreed, especially about this being a dim movie. Fontaine also washes out as a blonde. In her first shot, she reminded me more of some frail Tennessee Williams loser than a femme fatale.

~~~~~~~
Think cynical thoughts.

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[–] Readerman 12 years ago

Yes, she is nice on the eyes. I didn't recognize her, but she played the cripple girl, Velma, in Bogart's High Sierra.

http://wyatts-classics.blogspot.com/

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[–] mackjay2 11 years ago

This is the best performance I have seen of Leslie, and yes she was beautiful too.
Her other fine performance is in the (unfortunately) rarely seen "Repeat Performance"

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[–] nammage 11 years ago

I thought Leslie was great in Sergeant York.

Of course, I'm probably biased since it's my favorite movie, and has been for 23 years.

-Nam

I'm on the road less traveled...

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[–] DodgersRule 10 years ago

She's stunning -- and I agree that the actresses should have been reversed.

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[–] krdement 8 years ago

Sergeant York was where I first gained an awareness of Joan Leslie. Her role in this film could not be more different. In SY she played an exuberant hillbilly, while in BtbB she plays a very polished sophisticate. Her very appearance was so different that I did not realize I was watching Joan Leslie until I checked the credits! The stark contrast between these two roles really made me pay close attention to her in BtbB, and I found her acting (and chic appearance) to be wonderful!

Other posters have suggested the film might have been better if the Joan's had switched roles. In truth, as much as I loved watching Joan Leslie's performance here, I think the role swap might have improved the film. Based only on the appearance of the two Joans in this film, I doubt that Fontaine could have actually had all of the men In this film fawning over her as they do. Leslie, on the other hand, was stunning, and could have easily had them all chasing after her. If I were Zachary Scott, I would not have dumped Leslie for Fontaine. Reverse the roles, though, and I would dump Fontaine for Leslie. But we would have been robbed of seeing Joan Leslie in this interesting role.

John 3:16

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[–] hka-3 10 years ago

I agree and I've never seen her so beautiful.

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[–] blondee661 10 years ago

Agreed, Joan Leslie was fantastic in her small role and stole almost every scene she was in. She's probably the best thing about this otherwise dull film.

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[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

She was excellent and very beautiful too IMO. I especially loved her confrontation scene in the bedroom with Christabel.

Very good. But brick not hit back!

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[–] mamaleh483 8 years ago

She was indeed excellent in this movie. But my favorite Joan Leslie portrayal is that of George M. Cohan's wife in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.

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[–] 8 years ago

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[–] AvaSinatra59 (191) 4 years ago

Yes. She was great. Only know her from Yankee Doodle Dandy. She was a fine actress, and liked her a lot in this role.

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