Party Girl (1958) Nicholas Ray
Posted: April 3rd, 2008, 10:38 am
The debate about Johnny Guitar spurred me to create a special topic about another great picture by Nicholas Ray: Party Girl (1958). This is one of my favourite films ever. It's a real cult picture, over here in France, while I know that in the US or UK, it's considered a bog-standard gangster production. As a result, the film has been released on DVD only in France.
I must have seen the film about 10 times on a big screen where its fantastic Cinemascope cinematography is best appreciated. Its appeal to me is on several levels. Its aesthetics, the quality of the acting and its lyricism.
From a fairly trivial script, Ray manages to inject a real atmosphere and some wonderful heartfelt performances from his two lead players, Cyd Charisse and Robert Taylor. The film was produced by MGM when the company was finally collapsing. This was both for Charisse and Taylor, their last film under their 7-years contract. The film certainly marked the end of an era. It's a nostalgic look at the Chicago of the 30s with its gangsters. It's also a Technicolor (that is Metrocolor) film noir.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl1.jpg)
The film takes place in the Golden Rooster, a nightclub owned by Rico Angelo (Lee J. Cobb) the mob boss.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl4.jpg)
Cobb offers a wonderfully hammy performance as Rico. But, it's not just complete spoof on his part. His relationship with his lawyer, Thomas Farrell (Robert Taylor) are explored at a deeper level than in any other gangster picture.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl3.jpg)
Cyd Charisse is a show girl in the Golden Rooster where she meets crooked lawyer -with a heavy limp- Thomas Farrell (Robert Taylor). Their meeting will help them to regain their self-respect.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl2.jpg)
The cinematography by Robert Bronner (who hasn't got a great reputation) explores colors intelligently with virtually no cold colors, always red and gold dominate. The film uses Cyd Charisse's dancing brilliantly. Her two numbers are exteremely well integrated in the film, helping to move the story forward. Having watched Little Caesar recently, it's fairly obvious that Ray was inspired by E.G. Robinson for his Rico Angelo and for several scenes. The interactions between the various characters are very sophisticated which might explain the appeal the film has over here. Anyway, I can only advise you to try to see this beautiful film noir and believe me, you won't be disappointed.
Here is the link to the R2 DVD: here
I must have seen the film about 10 times on a big screen where its fantastic Cinemascope cinematography is best appreciated. Its appeal to me is on several levels. Its aesthetics, the quality of the acting and its lyricism.
From a fairly trivial script, Ray manages to inject a real atmosphere and some wonderful heartfelt performances from his two lead players, Cyd Charisse and Robert Taylor. The film was produced by MGM when the company was finally collapsing. This was both for Charisse and Taylor, their last film under their 7-years contract. The film certainly marked the end of an era. It's a nostalgic look at the Chicago of the 30s with its gangsters. It's also a Technicolor (that is Metrocolor) film noir.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl1.jpg)
The film takes place in the Golden Rooster, a nightclub owned by Rico Angelo (Lee J. Cobb) the mob boss.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl4.jpg)
Cobb offers a wonderfully hammy performance as Rico. But, it's not just complete spoof on his part. His relationship with his lawyer, Thomas Farrell (Robert Taylor) are explored at a deeper level than in any other gangster picture.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl3.jpg)
Cyd Charisse is a show girl in the Golden Rooster where she meets crooked lawyer -with a heavy limp- Thomas Farrell (Robert Taylor). Their meeting will help them to regain their self-respect.
![Image](http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/cleteux/SilverScreen/partyGirl2.jpg)
The cinematography by Robert Bronner (who hasn't got a great reputation) explores colors intelligently with virtually no cold colors, always red and gold dominate. The film uses Cyd Charisse's dancing brilliantly. Her two numbers are exteremely well integrated in the film, helping to move the story forward. Having watched Little Caesar recently, it's fairly obvious that Ray was inspired by E.G. Robinson for his Rico Angelo and for several scenes. The interactions between the various characters are very sophisticated which might explain the appeal the film has over here. Anyway, I can only advise you to try to see this beautiful film noir and believe me, you won't be disappointed.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Here is the link to the R2 DVD: here