(Vincent Sherman, US 1943, 109 min., 16mm)
“Lupino’s toughness combined with a pathos constitutes a charismatic persona. Her performances in these film noir movies capture an angst-filled tone that vacillates between irony and sincerity; coolness and warmth; and knowledge of self-assurance and vulnerability.” - Julie Grossman, Hollywood’s Noir Women Performers
Ida Lupino’s run of performances in noir films, both big budget and independent, is impressive, including High Sierra, Road House, On Dangerous Ground, and Private Hell 36. Yet this little-seen backstage drama may typify Grossman’s assessment of her performances. In it, Lupino plays Helen Chernen whose younger sister, Katie (Joan Leslie) has the talent and ambition to become a stage performer, especially with the help of interested partners Paul Collins and Albert Runkel (Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson, respectively). Seeing an opportunity for a better life for both her and Katie, Helen begins managing Katie’s career, letting nothing stand in her way, and prompting Paul to tell her, “It's like watching the maneuvers of the Atlantic fleet... and after you've done something particularly mean and nasty, I'd like to take you in my arms and kiss you.”
Introduction by and post-screening discussion with author Julie Grossman.
35mm print from Warner Bros. via HFC