Black Widow (Fox Film Noir)
20th Century Fox - 20th Century Fox
Release date: 2008-03-11
DVD
Actors: Mabel Albertson, Harry Carter, Richard H. Cutting, Reginald Gardiner, Peggy Ann Garner
B&W, Color, Crime, Crime Thriller, Detective Film, Drama, Feature, Feature Film-drama, Film Noir, Infidelity, Moody, Movie, Murder Investigations, Mystery, Questionable for Children, Sexual, Tense, USA
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Black Widow (Fox Film Noir)
Date undefinedIts really difficult to hate any film with a stellar cast such as Ginger Rogers, Gene Tierney, George Raft and Van Heflin. For that matters, its difficult to hate any of their individual films. Bring them together for one picture and "hate" might be a strong word, but "indifferent" fits the bill. "Black Widow" feels more like a Cinemascope experiment than a cohesive and engaging film. Cinemascope was brand spanking new and you could tell that 20th Century Fox was attempting to churn out as much product as possible in every genre possible. No matter if the material was particularly engaging or the scripts particularly good, the studio seemed to think the public would embrace anything that was spread out on the Cinemascope canvas. "Black Widow" is testament to this. At 94 minutes there is very little here other than a scenery chewing performance by Ginger Rogers, an understated and misused Gene Tierney and a campy story line that can't quite find its footing, even after its predictable conclusion. What does it have going for it? Lush cinematography, gorgeous colors and excellent 1950s chic sets do a lot to keep the viewer glued to the screen. Also, look out for an unusual Ginger Rogers role. She plays against type which serves the plot beautifully.
The DVD of this film is really extra special with not one but two mini-docs about Ginger Rogers and Gene Tierney. Also included is an isolated film score, an interactive pressbook, commentary and an "over the top" trailer that will leave you howling. It is really an excellent group of extras. The picture quality is truly luminous and the soundtrack is well spaced and exceptionally clear.
Movie **1/2
DVD ****
Black Widow (Fox Film Noir)
Date undefinedFor fans of the movie-created world of 50's New York Society, this one's a real treat. However if you are looking for a taught, hard-edged noir thriller, this ain't it! Tune in for the costumes, the hilarious over-the-top acting, and the stagey apartment sets all done in glorious color and Cinemascope as only Fox could do in the 50's. Apparently someone at Fox thought this little potboiler deserved the same cinematographic treatment as "Ben Hur"! Gene Tierney is lovely, Ginger Rogers is delightfully catty, and most of the rest of the cast is window dressing. Unfortunately, the mystery unravels a little too early to hold interest till the final frame.
Black Widow (Fox Film Noir)
Date undefinedYounger viewers would be unfamiliar with the type of story telling which needs a little concentration and attention to plot development. Black Widow leads us into a situation few of us would want to experience. Being involved more and more deeply in something out of our control, finally being suspected of murder. I saw this movie when it was released over 50 years ago and it still holds interest for me today.
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