Mildred's fault is that she hopes too much in the wrong places. She hopes for the best in people to come forward, as it does in her own character, but alas! it never does in others!
Jack Carson as Wally Fay is the one thread of faithful friendship she has, and she never really appreciates it. She can't see past his gruff, opportunistic exterior.
Great performances all around. But there are glaring problems for the audience. Zack Scott as Monty Baragon is such a slime ball that it's hard for us to understand why Mildred can't see through him. Veda is a spoiled bitch, pure and simple, and it's obvious that she'll come to no good, or else make everyone around her miserable if she does succeed. Once again, Mildred seems blind to this throughout the film, a mother's love notwithstanding.
Wally is a prince, if a realistic one, and we wonder when Mildred might wake up and see him for who he is. When a guy is always there for you, through thick and thin, bad and good, and always has your best interest at heart, even when it's tough on you, you need to see that! But she keeps pining away for the nogoodnicks like Monty, and to a lesser degree, Bert Pierce (who, while noble, is not above betrayal and destructive selfishness at times).
Ann Blythe is the real revelation here, although thoroughly unlikable, unlovable, and downright nasty! A meaty role for such a young actress, but handled convincingly.
I know nothing of the Crain book, but plan to investigate it soon.
What else can you say about a classic?
Jack Carson as Wally Fay is the one thread of faithful friendship she has, and she never really appreciates it. She can't see past his gruff, opportunistic exterior.
Great performances all around. But there are glaring problems for the audience. Zack Scott as Monty Baragon is such a slime ball that it's hard for us to understand why Mildred can't see through him. Veda is a spoiled bitch, pure and simple, and it's obvious that she'll come to no good, or else make everyone around her miserable if she does succeed. Once again, Mildred seems blind to this throughout the film, a mother's love notwithstanding.
Wally is a prince, if a realistic one, and we wonder when Mildred might wake up and see him for who he is. When a guy is always there for you, through thick and thin, bad and good, and always has your best interest at heart, even when it's tough on you, you need to see that! But she keeps pining away for the nogoodnicks like Monty, and to a lesser degree, Bert Pierce (who, while noble, is not above betrayal and destructive selfishness at times).
Ann Blythe is the real revelation here, although thoroughly unlikable, unlovable, and downright nasty! A meaty role for such a young actress, but handled convincingly.
I know nothing of the Crain book, but plan to investigate it soon.
What else can you say about a classic?