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Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket
I actually liked a lot of the Marion Davies films they showcased on TCM. I thought she was pretty danged funny.
Back to Duel in the Sun, there's so much wrong about this film. Too long, too slow and Jennifer Jones had too much tanning makeup on. I think one of the most horrible things of the film is the advertisement for the film in the film at the beginning. "Duel in the Sun... two years in the making..." etc Oy vey. Which producer allowed that? Once they're sitting in the seats, they don't need to be convinced to come see the movie.
And as much as I love Lillian Gish and Lionel Barrymore, the scene had the opposite effect on me. The film makes me chuckle. It just feels soooo over the top sad that it makes me giggle.
Ah, Joseph Cotten. Sometimes I watch the couple of films he and Orson Wells are in and wonder if Wells had the hots for him. Just my gaydar working overtime, I think.
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Davies was very funny and talented. But the release of Citizen Kane really did her career legacy damage that is, thanks to TCM, that's changing.
David O. Selznick was the producer and was legendary for his meddling ways on his films. A real Type A personality and one with severe control issues, especially when it came to Jennifer Jones. Besides, Selznick was convinced this would be greater than Gone with the Wind. It sure as hell wasn't. Lust in the Dust is a moniker that still sticks. However, like Wyler's Ben Hur, or De Mille's silly as hell 10 Commandments, this is Grade A #1 cheese and can be really loads of fun when you are in the mood for it.
Lionel is such a sh!t through most of the film, the final scene moves me when he crys out "Laurabelle" those damned Barrymores, exquisite ham.
I agree on Jennifer being doused in too much make up, but her growling and grunting as Pearl, well not my taste. Still loads of fun, and may I add, Gregory Peck was a hottie as a cowboy. Rowr.