The Silver Screen Oasis

I thought the interview was absolutely marvelous. The best I've seen, thanks to a warm and loving Robert O, plus the accepting audience, and Kim's openness. I felt such a strong connection to her, and was crying buckets by the end of the show.

I love both those films very much, they are ones I always watch when they are on. My favorites would be Vertigo and Man With the Golden Arm. In Man, she's so warm and loving, and she chooses the hard path because it's better for him. I feel a great deal of the real Kim in that role, and I think her acting was superb. I don't think I have to talk much about Vertigo, it's pretty much a given that she's got her best role there.

I like her in the Jeanne Eagels biopic, she's a real treat to watch, a real beauty. I haven't watched many of her movies but I'd like to, I'd love to watch her interview. No doubt some kind soul will put it on youtube, I hold my breath expectantly.

If it shows up on TCM's media room, I'll post it. I know they used to have several other ones on there.

I think she even said something to the effect of, with a father like that, Harry Cohn (Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger) seemed like a pretty nice guy.

How did Theresa get on the front row? What city does TCM and Robert Osbourne use?

It was in Hollywood, at the TCM festival, which takes place in the spring. Theresa should really talk about her experiences with Kim here!

Yes1 Theresa is the one!

Awwwww. 'Tweren't nuthin'!

I'm so pleased for you

Thanxx Alison.

I recorded the 1964 version of Of Human Bondage starring Kim Novak as Mildred and Laurence Harvey as Philip Carey back in October. I finally watched it a few days ago. I've been thinking about it ever since. What I have to say may be shocking, but...

Kim Novak's performance as Mildred is superior to Bette Davis' Mildred.

Novak had more nuance, more layers. I understood her as one of those women who NEED male attention, male adoration, all the time. I know many women like that. They usually don't have a lot of female friends, because the male gaze is all comsuming to them, whether they realize it or not. Novak's Mildred wasn't just a slut. I understood her promiscuity. She seemed to crave love, yet couldn't return it. She is a taker. Maybe it gives her a feeling of control.

There is a beautiful shot near the end of the film, where Novak is lying on a bed, her face seen between the iron bars of the footboard of the bed. I wish that I had a screencap--it's haunting. Her face shows the her vulnerability, her fear, her sadness.

These are just ramblings off the top of my head. Anyone else seen this version?

Sandy K

Yes, Sandy, I've seen it, and I had an almost identical reaction to Novak's performance. She's astoundingly good, really gives Mildred a reason for her behavior. For once, I understood her actions. And I've read the book!

Wendy, after seeing the 1964 version, I'm tempted to read the book...

What do you think of the various Philips? I thought that Laurence Harvey was the only one of the three that looked the right age, but he didn't have the sensitivity that Henreid and Howard both had.

Sandy K