I recorded a whole bunch of movies from TCM's 31 Days of Oscar programming and have been working my way through them in order of the films' year of release. I wasn't that excited about watching "Pete Kelly's Blues" given its lackluster ratings. How pleasantly surprised I was then to find how much I liked it.
This thing is a film noir. Switch it to black and white and put it in a square aspect ratio and you've got all the makings of a seedy little thriller, complete with memorable and atmospheric shoot out, this one in an eerily lit ball room. Jack Webb is excellent as the band leader who finds himself at odds with a gang kingpin trying to extort money from him. Edmond O'Brien is effectively villainous and sweaty as said kingpin. Janet Leigh is a bit wasted as wild child flapper and love interest for Kelly.
The film's sole Oscar nomination went to Peggy Lee in a supporting role as O'Brien's girlfriend. Lee isn't really much of an actress. She's very wooden and seems actually uncomfortable to be in most of the movie. But her lack of technique actually ends up working to her advantage, and I found myself haunted by her performance even as I was aware that her acting left something to be desired. It's most notable in the film's most memorable scene, when Kelly comes to visit her in a mental institution. Another, better actress might have been tempted to act the hell out of the scene, but it's Lee's zoned out, low key approach that makes the scene work as well as it does.
I also have to praise the color cinematography in this movie, which is used to stunning effect. This was a time when Technicolor was still as likely as not to be garish instead of visually appealing, a trap this film nicely avoids.
Check this one out if you get a chance.
Grade: A-
This thing is a film noir. Switch it to black and white and put it in a square aspect ratio and you've got all the makings of a seedy little thriller, complete with memorable and atmospheric shoot out, this one in an eerily lit ball room. Jack Webb is excellent as the band leader who finds himself at odds with a gang kingpin trying to extort money from him. Edmond O'Brien is effectively villainous and sweaty as said kingpin. Janet Leigh is a bit wasted as wild child flapper and love interest for Kelly.
The film's sole Oscar nomination went to Peggy Lee in a supporting role as O'Brien's girlfriend. Lee isn't really much of an actress. She's very wooden and seems actually uncomfortable to be in most of the movie. But her lack of technique actually ends up working to her advantage, and I found myself haunted by her performance even as I was aware that her acting left something to be desired. It's most notable in the film's most memorable scene, when Kelly comes to visit her in a mental institution. Another, better actress might have been tempted to act the hell out of the scene, but it's Lee's zoned out, low key approach that makes the scene work as well as it does.
I also have to praise the color cinematography in this movie, which is used to stunning effect. This was a time when Technicolor was still as likely as not to be garish instead of visually appealing, a trap this film nicely avoids.
Check this one out if you get a chance.
Grade: A-