A
Place in the Sun (1951)
George Stevens won an Oscar for his 1951
adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's novel An American Tragedy,
though the film seems a little overwrought today and even
self-parodying at times. Still, Montgomery Clift's performance as
a poor lad so drawn to a rich, beautiful girl (Elizabeth Taylor)
that he contemplates killing his lower-class fiancée (Shelley
Winters) is powerful, sympathetic, and mesmerizing. Taylor makes a
strong impression, but Winters is awfully good in the
less-glamorous role. The tone of the film is oppressive--the film
doesn't exactly breathe with possibility--but there are lots of
good reasons to give this movie a visit. --Tom Keogh
I
Confess (1953)
A man admits to murder in the confessional, and
a priest, in his efforts to keep the sacrament of penance,
realizes that the police suspect he is the perpetrator, due to his
lack of an alibi and reluctance to help in the investigation.
A compelling, starkly photographed Hitchcock
drama about a priest who hears a confession from a murderer, and
later finds himself accused of the crime. He is then torn between
his vows of silence, and his need to clear himself of the charge.
Indiscretion
of an American Wife (1954)
In Rome's Terminal Station, an adulterous
American housewife named Mary is saying her final goodbye to her
young lover, Giovanni. But before Mary can board the train, she
and Giovanni are arrested after being caught in a rather steamy
embrace. Will Mary be set free in time to catch her train? Or will
she decide that staying in Rome permanently with Giovanni is the
best choice?
A couple engaged in an illicit affair have only
a few hours before a train to decide if they will have a future
together. Set almost entirely within Rome's Terminal Station. AKA
"Indiscretion," "Terminus Station,"
"Terminal Station," and "Indiscretion."
Academy Award Nominations: Best (Black-and-White) Costume Design.
Lonelyhearts
(1959)
Adam White is an idealistic young man who has
just been hired by a newspaper to write its
"Lonelyhearts" column. Unfortunately, he immediately
butts heads with cynical editor William Shrike, who believes that
White's lovelorn are imposters. To prove Shrike wrong, White
decides to become personally involved with one of his
advice-seekers. He chooses Fay Doyle, whose husband is handicapped
and unable to make love to her. One thing leads to another, and
White ends up bedding Fay. However, White soon begins to suspect
that Fay might not be on the level. Could Shrike be right after
all?
An idealistic journalist enters the rough world
of newspaper publishing as the "Miss Lonelyhearts"
columnist. His emotional concerns for the many people who write to
him become so intense that it begins to threaten his own personal
life. Academy Award Nominations: Best Supporting Actress--Maureen
Stapleton.
Montgomery Clift Filmography:
