|
By
NICK ZEGARAC
By its very definition,
"film noir" (meaning, dark film) does not
encompass Technicolor productions. A shame, since
Darryl F. Zanuck's "Leave Her to Heaven" (1945) is
as thrilling, disturbing and evocative of the noir
style as anything shot in black and white. At best
then, let's just say that "Leave Her to Heaven" is
a rich, finely wrought tapestry of sinister
thoughts and destructive ambition.
The film, based on a novel by Ben Ames Williams,
is concerned with the seemingly congenial romance
that blossoms between famous writer Richard
Harland (Cornel Wilde, looking quite stylish and
very handsome) and statuesque beauty Ellen Berent
(Gene Tierney, as smoldering, sultry and radiant
as ever). Richard and Ellen meet as strangers on a
train, a chance pairing that leads to an idyllic
summer retreat in the mountains with Ellen's
family -- her mother (Mary Philips), father (Ray
Collins) and younger sister (a fresh faced Jeanne
Crain, clearly being groomed on this occasion as
the odds-on favorite for Richard's affections). A
slight hiccup in Ellen's plans happens when her
former beaux, Russell Quinton (Vincent Price)
deliberately turns out to pitch a little rice on
the side of her pending nuptials. Later, Quinton's
own desires for Ellen will culminate in his
prosecution of Richard for murder. But for now,
Ellen isn't about to let anything or anyone come
between her and the man of her passions.
By the time Tierney made "Leave Her to Heaven" she
had developed a reputation as Fox's good girl. The
culmination of this role and her formidable zest
to make the transformation from congenial maiden
to cold-hearted vixen believable, forever altered
that perception of her in Hollywood. As her
younger sister, Jeanne Crain is an excellent foil
and runner up for Richard's affections. Even
Vincent Price is exceptionally convincing as
Ellen's former -- and very jealous -- lover. The
one disappointment, in terms of acting, is Cornel
Wilde. Undeniably eye candy, Wilde's performance
comes off rather stiff and unconvincing once the
character of Richard awakens from his love struck
stupor and realizes what sort of monster he's
actually married. Nevertheless, the material given
to all is indestructible, and directed with slick
and sinister panache by the gifted John M. Stahl,
and "Leave Her to Heaven" emerges as sensational
surefire entertainment.
Fox Home Entertainment has done a simply
outstanding job in remastering this film for DVD.
From its opening title sequence, so clear and
finely rendered that one can make out the texture
of paper on which the actor's names have been
printed, to the deep focus photography which is
luminous, there is absolutely no finer example of
a Technicolor film to video transfer of this
vintage available on the home video market today.
Colors are rich and fully saturated; shadow and
contrast levels are superbly rendered; clarity and
fine detail throughout is outstanding; blacks are
solid and deep; and whites are pristine. The
exterior photography is absolutely eye-popping.
The audio has been remixed to stereo, but there is
very little to distinguish it from the original
Mono mix that has also been included. Extras
include a stills gallery, audio commentary track,
restoration comparison and theatrical trailer.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves classic
films. |
