Laura (1944)
Grade: 83
"Laura" is a highly entertaining murder mystery. Well directed and scripted, with several surprise plot twists, it rarely drags, and survives many improbable sequences.
Laura (Gene Tierney) is an attractive, successful young woman who has been murdered. The primary suspects are her suitors: conceited, sneering columnist Clifton WebbX and opportunistic ladies man Vincent Price. Dana Andrews plays the police detective who becomes obsessed with solving the case. Further complicating matters, Price has two other girlfriends, and, well... better not say anymore!
After seeing Price ham it up in endless horror movies, he appears miscast playing a hearthrob. It must be remembered that audiences in 1944 had never seen him in any of those movies. Still, with unmistakable affected voice and manner, it is difficult to believe two lovely models and a wealthy spinster would be falling all over him, despite their better judgement.
Clifton Webb's character is the most interesting. Considered a great wit, he is in fact insecure and frail. He is fixated with keeping Tierney as a potential girlfriend, never admitting to himself that he is too old for her and she will sooner or later take someone else. Still, he hangs about her, shooing off paramours, and if one lingers, pries into his affairs for dirt to prove him unworthy of her. All his fame and success means nothing to him, and he will throw it all away if he can't have her. He gets more screen time than anyone, but only has third billing. I guess movie audiences would rather see Tierney and Andrews, who are more physically attractive.
There are many silly moments in "Laura". In no manner should this movie's plot be compared with an actual murder investigation. But if the characters don't behave like real people would in their situations, they do behave consistently. And they are all very entertaining.
http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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