Comments on: The Dark Mirror (1946 ): On the other side

By: Edward Yablonsky

Edward Yablonsky — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:00:50 +0000

The disturbed mind entrapped within itself with no recourse to scape: a sort of fatalism pervades this Noir

By: Tony D'Ambra

Tony D'Ambra — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:03:11 +0000

Thanks Sam and Alexander.

Apart from Olivia de Havilland who shines, for me the gestalt is less than the sum of Robert Siodmak, Nunnally Johnson, Milton Krasner, and Dimitri Tiomkin. Also Lew Ayres is just Ok, and I suppose being studio bound is a factor.

Btw, Alexander, I only watch movies at night. It feels oppressive to enter a cinema or watch a DVD during daylight hours. My family think I am wierd :)

By: Alexander Coleman

Alexander Coleman — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:48:30 +0000

I’ll always remember watching this on a horribly hot summer night a few years back. What struck me–and continues to in retrospect–is the almost crushing insularity of the film. Perhaps it was the mind-altering heatwave, or the mood Siodmak conjured with this film, or more likely a combination of both, but it seemed like a certain intangible madness apart from the melodramatic storytelling was at work. A strange, bewitching film–if for no other reason than de Havilland’s performance, which Tony rightly praises. This one is certainly “worth a look,” for her turn especially. And as Sam notes, the names of Milton Krasner, Dimitri Tiomkin and Nunnally Johnson all recommend the film as well.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:37:59 +0000

Of course, Robert Siodmak is a master with a capital T, but oddly I must admit I have never seen this particular film, sad to say, Any film with the likes of Olivia de Havilland and Thomas Mitchell is esential of course, and in view of Tony’s modestly bravura assessment I will seek it out. Very insightful capsule review, particularly that fascinating second paragraph. Of course Tony, when you mention the names of Milton Krasner, Dimitri Tiomkin, and Nunnally Johnson, the pulse increases.

Your authoritative knowledge in this field never ceases to amaze me.