Travis Simpkins

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Dragonwyck (1946): Gene Tierney and Vincent Price

Written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, based on the novel by Anya Seton, Dragonwyck (1946) combines period melodrama with elements of Gothic supernatural horror. A beautiful, young Connecticut farm girl is summoned to serve as a governess at the grand Hudson River estate of Dragonwyck by her distant cousin, a wealthy ancestral land owner… but beneath the veil of riches and elegance there is unforeseeable gloom. Set in 1844, the film captures the historical extravagance of the time in well-made sets and costumes. Gene Tierney, one of the most beautiful women ever to have graced the silver screen, is stunningly beautiful in her role. Vincent Price is suave and overbearing as the godless patroon. The supporting cast does a wonderful job as well, including Walter Huston, Jessica Tandy and Harry Morgan.

Walter Huston and Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Walter Huston: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Dragonwyck Manor: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Walter Huston, Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Jessica Tandy and Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney and Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Dragonwyck House: Dragonwyck

Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney: Dragonwyck

Vincent Price: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney on the set of Dragonwyck: Dragonwyck

Gene Tierney in Dragonwyck: Dragonwyck

"Dragonwyck"- movie trailer

Conan the Barbarian (1982): Arnold Schwarzenegger in Ancient Battle

Directed by John Milius, and co-written by Oliver Stone, Conan the Barbarian (1982) contributed greatly to Arnold Schwarzenegger's stardom and has become a Cult Classic. The revenge fantasy story follows Conan in pseudo-ancient times as he ventures from slave to gladiator to warrior king in his bid to avenge the death of his parents at the hands on an evil snake cult. The "rubberized" props don't add much to any kind of historical feel, with most of the weapons and sets appearing as though they are constructed of molded plastic. However, tacky 1980's aesthetics aside, the story is not bad and the young Governator's screen presence is powerful. Arnold Schwarzenegger is good in the title role. James Earl Jones appears as the villainous snake cult leader.