Comments on: Ruthless (1948): “Not a man, a way of life”

By: La reina de Nápoles:Lo que hay tras el antifaz. El pirata de Capri, la aventura italiana de Edgar G. Ulmer « Esbilla cinematográfica popular

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 21:16:31 +0000

[...] de Louis Hayward (repitiendo un año despues con el director tras el atmosférico melodrama Ruthless), prodigio de modulación vocal y gestual (el actor ya tenía experiencia en el asunto de los [...]

By: Slim Dundee

Slim Dundee — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:25:49 +0000

The movie has a lot of good elements. I did especially like Diana Lynn’s characters. Hayward was good too, and Sydney Greenstreet is never boring although I wouldn’t consider this one of his great roles. The main problem is the main character- we don’t get much insight into what makes him tick. Early in the movie he seems like a nice guy, then he turns into a totally ruthless, impersonal money-making machine, and it never seems clear what makes him the way he is, or what there is in him that made Vic and Martha like him in the first place.

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:17:16 +0000

Thanks Sam and Allan.

I know how you feel Sam – perhaps I came to the movie with expectations that were too high – but there is just something missing.

David Kehr, when he was at the Chicago Reader, was more on your side: “While not for all tastes, this is still some kind of a blasted masterpiece.”

I think Lejune’s quip deserves to be in a book collection of classic put downs :)

By: Allan Fish

Allan Fish — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:37:43 +0000

Quite right, this one doesn’t really come together. I think Tony called it correctly here.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:36:04 +0000

Although Halliwell gives the film one star and calls it “a rich melodrama with some entertaining moments” C. A. Lejune echoes some of Tony’s reservations by stating (although uncompromisingly):

“Beginning pictures at the end is, I’m afraid, the modern trend. But i’d find RUTHLESS much more winning if it could end at the beginning.”

LOL.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:09:35 +0000

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Ann savage, and remember her vividly from the minor classic DETOUR by Edgar G. Ulmer. She had a long run for sure, but it’s always difficult to say goodbye at any age. I saw RUTHLESS years back,, and I agree with you Tony that it’s “worth seeing.” It may well rank after the two films Ulmer is rightly best known for, DETOUR and THE BLACK CAT. I fully understand what you are saying when you say that the film “never really achieved an intensity of purpose,” but at the time I saw it I was more enthralled with the elements that you yourself not: “solid cast” and “a compelling story of an amorally ambitious man.” Perhaps too, i was willing to look beyond issues in deference to Ulmer (whom I have always thought highly of) but you are coming off a fresh viewing, and I value your insights greatly. I must look at this film again. Good choice to highlight here, and very perceptive capsule essay, as always.

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:39:56 +0000

Thanks Guy for the sad news. Yes DCD, Anne Savage’s defining role has to be as Vera in Detour.

By: darkcitydame

darkcitydame — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:33:12 +0000

Hi! Tony, What a very "interesting" and very "detailed" review of the film "Ruthless" by you as "usual!"... ...Yes, I have watched and do own a pretty "grainy" copy of the 1948 film "Ruthless" and at best find this film to be worth watching too!...I agree it's not a bad film, but it's.... Now, forgive me for my "digression," but I feel that the "Film noir" world has lost someone who truly lived up to the description of a "horrifying femme fatale" and that was actress Ann Savage with her appearance in the most "fatalistic" of film noir the 1945 film Detour. My condolesence to her family and friends and may she RIP. I would truly be "remissed" if I didn't thank author and the President of the Film Noir Foundation Eddie Muller, for bringing her back into the "public eye." Thanks, Eddie, (Muller)

By: Guy Budziak

Guy Budziak — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:37:28 +0000

I have yet to see this film, but this seems as good a place as any to announce the passing of Ann Savage, since she starred in what is probably Ulmer’s best-known film, Detour. She died Christmas Day at the age of 87. This has turned out to be quite a year for departures.