The 1958 crime thriller Touch of Evil is undoubtedly my favorite film noir.  It oozes with pent up sexuality, amorality, immorality, and yes, evil--seemingly a harbinger of the social upheaval peculiar to the 1960s.  It was Orson Welles' last great masterpiece.  Indeed he himself was one of the key players, in the role of the bloated and soulless police Captain Hank Quinlan.  Some other stars also shine brightly.  Charlton Heston is fittingly over-the-top in his portrayal of Mike Vargas.  Then too there's Vargas' poor hapless wife played to great affect by Janet Leigh.  Who can forget the super cheesy performance of Dennis Weaver as the fatuous motel desk clerk?  And finally there's Marlene Dietrich, simply unforgettable as Tanya the fortune teller. 

It goes without saying that this movie is sometimes quite a spectacle to behold.  And you get more than a little whiff of cheese (or should I say queso) in this movie.  But that's exactly what I adore so much about it.  The superficiality and Donna Reed goodness of the hyper-repressed 1950s is rubbed raw in this production.  What Welles reveals to us is at times brutally shocking, titillating, frightening, repulsive, and even hilarious. 

In 1998 I had the great pleasure of seeing the newly restored version (as Welles had intended it) at a beautiful 1930s movie theater, replete with all the art deco detailing.  From then on I was a fan of Orson Welles.  There's nothing quite like seeing a classic on the silver screen.

If you're into Hollywood movie classics, and haven't seen Touch of Evil, then by all means rent it.  Here's the trailer:

What follows is a nicely composed video montage accompanied by the great Nina Simone on piano playing "Good Bait"...ENJOY!!!

This documentary gives an excellent introduction to an extremely vital and influential 20th century literary movement. Most of the key players are featured either through interviews or archival footage. News reels, propaganda, and pop culture film footage from the 40s and 50s (rife with the superficiality peculiar to that era) provide stark contrast to the free spirited ideals set forth by the key Beat exponents.

Some of the most compelling moments of the film were the segments featuring the writers reading from their works. It doesn't get any better than Jack Kerouac expressively reading from On The Road while Steve Allen effortlessly accompanies him on piano. Just as moving was the excerpt of Allen Ginsberg's furious reading of Howl and his sad and poignant recollection of his beloved mother.

Of course there is no better way to learn about the Beat writers than to actually read their works. But, if it's a film introduction you want, this is the one to watch.

THE BEAT GENERATION by & read by Jack Kerouac:

WILLIAM BURROUGHS interviewed by the BBC:

I think it's fair to say that Edith Piaf was THE voice of song for France during much of the 20th century.  Indeed many say she was la chanteuse eternelle; and in quite a few respects, rightfully so.  When one thinks of Piaf (or "the Little Sparrow") a tragic and romantic heroine of song comes to mind.  And, as it turns out, that was not at all terribly far from the truth.

Marion Cotillard truly becomes Piaf in this Academy Award winning production; and painfully so.  From her agonizing and labored gait, to the slouch of her back and the unsureness and seemingly ever wary wide eyed gaze.  Edith was of the streets.  She suffered greatly from the time she was a young child through to young adulthood.  As such she could be quite coarse and even vulgar at times.  The pure and unadulterated humanity of Piaf is brought fully into light in this film.  It's hard to imagine anyone else as Piaf, a role that in 2008 earned Cotillard an Oscar for Best Actress. 

If you cry easily during movies with tragic themes and characters, then be prepared.  In fact I don't think I can remember ever crying so much during a movie.  There are three major and pivotal moments in the film that are unforgettable and quite literally heart breaking...I won't elaborate (no spoilers for those who have not seen the movie) other than to advise that you need to be prepared with tissues.  I think by the end of the movie I was even just a little dehydrated...Yes, it was that heartrending.  I would also advise watching it with someone you can grab onto and hold.  Someone who will console you, and who you too can console; preferably your lover.

Anyone interested in Edith Piaf and her music should definitely see this movie.  For those not familiar with her music and personality, this is an excellent introduction.  It is one of the best biopics I've seen in quite some time.  Despite all of the tragedy that figures so prominently, ultimately it is Edith's passion, romance and spirit that triumphs.  The finale is breathtaking as Edith sings perhaps her most eternal song: "Non, je ne regrette rien!" ...I regrett nothing!

WATCH THE TRAILER:

Edith on Ed Sullivan performing Milord (1959).

Edith performing one of her greatest compostions, La vie en rose (1948).

Padam, Padam (1956)

Sophie (1948)

Edith performing Autumn Leaves (from a vintage 78 rpm recording)...C'est encroyable!

After posting two highly derogatory and some might say misogynistic parody/satirical videos (see my MOVING PICTURES [video module]: YogiVision presents Joan Crawford in a role that will just CRACK U UP! and Yaz et al. - J o a n C r a w f o r d M I X (Hollywood's QUEEN B!TCH)) I thought it would be a disservice to the memory of Joan Crawford if I did not present a more objective perspective of the life and times of one of Hollywood's most memorable actresses.

Like many a gay man growing up, I came to adore and eat up all of the camp and kitsch factors surrounding Joan's career and life (think cult classics like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Trog, Strait-Jacket and Mommie Dearest  ["No more wire hangers!"] ). For me it all began with a short-lived series of skits that were shown on Saturday Night Live in the early 80s. Of course these skits were in response to the infamous biopic (starring the equally incredible Faye Dunaway) based on the memoirs of Joan's step daughter Christina Crawford. The images of Crawford, played to the hilt by Jane Curtin and little dumb Christina laughably (and incredibly so!) played by Gilda Radner, were tattooed onto my mind. I think my favorite episode was when Curtin as Joan gave Radner's Christina raw liver for Christmas (completely wrapped and everything)...I was literally ROTFLMAO [even before the web related acronym came into vogue!] as I watched that skit!

All of these parodies and caricatures aside, I later came to admire Joan as an actress. Her roles in Hollywood classics like Grand Hotel, The Women,  Johnny Guitar, The Best of Everything, and her melodramatic film noir masterpiece Mildred Pierce, are quite simply magnificent and unforgettable. Looking at Joan throughout her long and often astute career, her ability to transform, reinvent and mutate into different persona's and characters was quite simply amazing. You have to wonder how much influence Crawford has had on one of the great entertainment chameleons of the last quarter of the 20th century (and yes, to this day), Madonna.

Doubtless, Joan's career and Hollywood legacy are unforgettable.  But I want to state for the record that I in no way wish to diminish the significance of the suffering of Crawford's children (as related by Christina in her graphic memoirs).  Yes, she sometimes overacted--and to great effect; yes, she was quite likely a self-absorbed, abusive control freak; and yes, she was also likely an alcoholic and substance abuser...But, as I imagine Christina would agree, this woman was a survivor.  And utmost to her memory, she was a screen personality to be reckoned with (eat your heart out Bette!).   

So, all said and done...Now have a look at the REAL Joan Crawford (via the following documentary [in 10 easily digestible parts!]). She was really quite an amazing woman!

**Regarding above essay: © Marc O. Dubois 2008, All Rights Reserved

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

PART 7

PART 8

PART 9

PART 10

~THE END~

I had a crush on MM at an early age. Indeed, Marilyn (a.k.a. Norma Jeane Mortenson: June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962) was the first woman I ever recall seeing nude, thanks to a bizarre Christmas gift (a rather risque Marilyn Monroe calendar [see first pic below] given to my sister by my maternal grandmother in the early 70s--god only knows what that was about!).  But then again, I don't think crushes on Marilyn Monroe are too uncommon for gay men. She exuded a nonchalant sexual confidence, while at the same time she was incredibly non-threatening and lovely--the perfect fag hag. Of course she worked the dumb blond stereotype to excess. But we now know there was sooo much more to Marilyn than that. In actuality she was quite the book worm, and in many respects she was way ahead of her times (see second pic of a weight lifting Marilyn).  

She honed her acting skills at Lee Strasberg's famed Actors Studio in NYC (during the heyday of "method" acting). She generally preferred the company of highly intelligent, influential men (think Albert Einstein, Truman Capote, her last husband Arthur Miller, and perhaps most notably JFK) as opposed to the stereotypical Hollywood hunks. In retrospect we have come to know Marilyn as a VERY complex personality; something which has only added to her enduring mystique.

So, I won't belabor the point (already done by so many before), nor shall I leave additional flowers at her grave. Marilyn was simply Marilyn...ONE OF A KIND...

NOW, here are some personal video favorites (à la YouTube) of mine...ENJOY!

THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL GIRL sings "Diamonds are Girl's Best Friend" From Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

"I Wanna be Loved by You" with a little help from Jack Lemmon & Tony Curtis from Some Like It Hot (1959)

"Heat Wave" from There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

"Two Little Girls From Little Rock" duet with Jane Russell from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

"After You Get What You Want" from There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

Marilyn sings "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" as the dashing Yves Montand watches...from Let's Make Love (1960)

"Bye Bye Baby" from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

"River of No Return" from River of No Return (1954)

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performed by "The late Marilyn Monroe" and introduced by Peter Lawford (May 19, 1962)

VIDEO TRIBUTES:

"I'm Not Myself" performed by Madonna (video montage from The Misfits (1961)--one of my all-time favorite Marilyn movies)

"Lady In Red" performed by Chri De Burgh (2006 photo/video montage The Beautiful Marilyn Monroe arranged by YouTube user Annapunk7)

"Beautiful" performed by Bethany Dillon (2007 video montage Beautiful ~ A Tribute to Marilyn Monroe arranged by YouTube user stace1986)

"Candle In The Wind" performed by Elton John (inspired by the famed final photo shoot by Bert Stern: produced/directed by David LaChapelle with impersonator extraordinaire Susan Griffiths)

"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" performed by Kylie Minogue

"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" performed by Nicole Kidman (from Moulin Rouge! Costumes - Part 1 added by YouTube user destinytears)

...and last but certainly NOT least: "Material Girl" performed by Madonna (1985)