The Long Night (1947)

topic posted Fri, February 16, 2007 - 5:53 AM by  DJ JOE
The Long Night -odd suspensful and surrealistic 1947 movie starring Henry Fonda as WW2 veteran and orphan .He works in a factory on subsistent wages- one day he meets the love of his life(Barbara Del Geddes) - a fellow orphan and flower delivery girl.It is obvious they belong together- but the catch is- she already has a suitor.Magician and full time liar(one of my favorite lines-"Why should I pay for having a superior imagination) Vincent Price is a total heel in this movie.The movie is told in flashback during a seige of Fonda's character - who shots Price in the first scene.Look for noir standout Elisha Cook,Jr. as the blind nieghbor.This is a retelling of a 1939 French film- the DVD has clips comparing the 2 versions and a virtual essay on the production design.This was a riveting movie where I was hoping for the best and expecting the worst the whole time.It is imperfect- Fonda is tough and jaded - until he gets around the girl of his dreams- then he becomes a puppy dog- I found it charming-but I could see it annoying some folks.If you are looking for an older movie with a unique feel and compelling story - find this one. A-
posted by:
DJ JOE
Virginia

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