MIKE'S QUICK-STOP COMMENTARIES

 

FROM THE TERRACE (1960)

High-grade soap opera and enjoyable from start to finish. Paul Newman plays the son of Leon Ames, an unloving father and the owner of a steel plant that he expects Paul to work in and end up as miserable as his father. Myrna Loy plays Paul's unhappy alcoholic mother. Paul escapes all of this negativity through aggressive social climbing and marriage to high society doll Joanne Woodward, eventually becoming a big wheel in an investment firm in the Big Apple. But he soon finds out that all work and no home life result in an unhappy wife who starts sleeping around as a cure for her loneliness. Paul is beset by existential angst until he meets simple country girl Ina Balin, who just happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. Will Paul escape from his meaningless existence and find true love in the country with sweet, simple, drop-dead gorgeous Ina? What do you think? Top acting honors go to Miss Loy.

PICTURE MOMMY DEAD (1966)

Strange little movie about the most dysfunctional family imaginable. Adolescent Susan Gordon, having spent three years in a convent hospital following the mysterious death of her mother, Zsa Zsa Gabor, returns home to find herself surrounded by a group of despicable adults, all of whom are apparently out to get her. The film, directed by Miss Gordon's father, Bert I. Gordon, isn't terribly good, but it does have the advantage of a decent cast of actors and some very striking sets and art direction. Don Ameche plays the father, and Martha Hyer plays the evil, grasping stepmother. As Susan Gordon is in nearly every scene, the entire project rests on her, which is the biggest problem with the film. Her acting range is severely limited, and she spends most of the time with the same perplexed look on her face, no matter what's happening. Miss Gabor is an elegant, ghostly presence, a role that doesn't overtax her own acting abilities. Actually, I thought she was the best thing about the movie, which gives you an indication of what we're dealing with here. I managed to stay wide awake until the end, at which point I was rewarded with one of the most bizarre and truly distasteful plot twists I've experienced in quite a while, a twist I did not see coming. With Anna Lee, Wendell Corey and Signe Hasso.

THE SEDUCTION OF JOE TYNAN (1979)

Alan Alda does a decent job as an ambitious senator who gets caught up in his political life at the expense of his family life. There's really nothing new going on here, and the project has the look and tone of a TV movie of the week, complete with a rather predictable audience-pleasing conclusion. But it makes for an enjoyable watch. Acting honors go to the marvelous Barbara Harris as Alda's wife, who isn't emotionally suited for the high-profile life her husband's job has dragged her into. Harris is able to convey more emotion with a subtle change of facial expression than most actresses do with three pages of dialogue. Meryl Streep plays the cool blonde political assistant who becomes Alda's mistress. She is almost too cool, seeming to be detached from her character, the polar opposite of Harris. Still, she gets your attention. Featuring Melvyn Douglas, Blanche Baker and an outrageous supporting performance by Rip Torn.

FIESTA (1947)

This is intended as a star vehicle for MGM's aquatic icon Esther Williams, who does her usual capable job and, naturally, gets to do a little swimming. It's also the American film debut of handsome, charismatic Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, whose intense performance almost knocks Esther right out of the water, so to speak. The story is set in Mexico and involves bullfighting. Esther and Ricardo play twins, Maria and Mario, so there's no romance between the two stars. Esther is paired with John Carroll and Ricardo is linked with Cyd Charisse. When aspiring matador Mario gets all bullheaded and walks away from the ring, plucky sister Maria takes his place to save the family honor. The film asks the viewer to believe that Esther Williams in a tight-fitting matador costume could conceivably pass for Ricardo Montalban in similar attire. I've heard of MGM magic, but this is quite a stretch. There is some terrific Spanish dancing with Ricardo and Cyd Charisse, and screen veteran Mary Astor plays the twins' Mexican madre, complete with a black wig and a lace mantilla.