#dorothy patrick

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Follow Me Quietly (1949) Richard Fleischer

May 18th 2024

[fitesorko]

Dorothy Patrick

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

Follow Me Quietly

Director Richard Fleischer and cinematographer Robert De Grasse make something special visually out of Lillie Hayward’s script for FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (1949, TCM), taken from an original story by Anthony Mann and Francis Rosenwald. Although it’s basically a police procedural about the search for a serial killer who calls himself “The Judge,” they give it a noir look with lots of dark shadows, evocative framing and a stunning conclusion shot at the Los Angeles Gas Works. Unfortunately, they can’t do a thing with the film’s two leads. To call William Lundigan and Dorothy Patrick bland, would be an insult to bland.

The Judge strikes when it rains, strangling people he considers to be guilty of something or other (it’s never stated). Unable to catch a break, the homicide detective (Lundigan) uses what few clues he’s found to construct a faceless mannequin as a kind of 3D composite sketch. Meanwhile, he also has to dodge an ambitious reporter (Patrick) out to get an exclusive on the case.

It’s all very tidily constructed, coming to its inevitable conclusion in just under an hour. There are fun, quirky bits like the use of the mannequin, a cigar stand operator constantly on the phone betting on the horses and a chatty waitress who likes her men dumb and muscular. The film makes a case for persistent police work as the means of solving the crime, but there are plot holes. It would be nice to know what crimes motivate the Judge. Patrick gets access to secret information with no explanation beyond her statement that she has “connections.” And there’s a very strange scene in which she bribes her way into Lundigan’s apartment. As she tries to talk him into helping her, he strips partially (to very little effect; he has the kind of body that makes me want to yell “Put it on” rather than “Take it off”). He then goes into the bathroom, puts on his pajama top and turns on the shower. It’s a surprise when he steps out after the world’s shortest shower, and his PJs are totally dry.

The plot holes and illogic are eclipsed by the strong visuals. But there’s a bigger hole where the film’s heart should be. The male lead was originally slated for Lawrence Tierney and then Kent Smith, both capable actors. Lundigan, however, can’t capture the sense of obsession needed to portray a cop constantly beating himself up for his failure to catch the killer. Most of the time, he doesn’t seem to be playing objectives, just attitudes, and rather weak ones at that. And Patrick matches his flat performance beat for beat. Unfortunately for them but fortunately for us, they’re surrounded by colorful character actors, the kinds of performers who had to be good to keep working. Jeff Corey is so lived-in as Lundigan’s partner he dominates his every scene. Frank Ferguson is moving as an editor attacked by the Judge, Nestor Paiva is very funny as the gambling cigar salesman, and there are nice bits by Douglas Spencer as a compulsive confessor and Marlo Dwyer as the waitress. Hell, even the non-speaking actors shown being interviewed during the investigation are more interesting than Lundigan and Patrick.

[famousborntoday]

Dorothy Patrick (born Dorothea Davis; June 3, 1921 – May 31, 1987) was a Canadian-American film actress and a John Robert Powers model.

Link: Dorothy Patrick

[ulrichgebert]

Abgesehen davon, daß das Haus sich nur mittels sehr durchschaubaren Trickaufnahmen am Fluss befindet ist Fritz Langs für Fritz-Lang-Verhältnisse eher unaufwändigen noir-Krimchen House by the River schön stimmungsvoll und gemein. Der moralisch zweifelhafte erfolglose Schriftsteller ermordet, im Haus, während dem Versuch sich ihr amourös zu nähern, versehentlich das Dienstmädchen und versenkt es gemeinsam mit seinem gutmütigen Bruder -Sie ahnen es- im Fluss, zeigt sich fürderhin von seiner unangenehmsten Seite und hat keine Skrupel, die Schuld dem Bruder in die Schuhe zu schieben. Der lässt es sich gefallen, weil er seine Schwägerin liebt. Alles recht verfahren. Und immer entweder im Haus. Oder am Fluss. Wird wohl am Ende die Gerechtigkeit siegen? Im Gerichtssaal? Fluss? Haus?

[mylittlevintageworld]

Dorothy Malone

[gwydpolls]

Lucian's Library 3

Feel free to suggest never written books you wish you could read.

Option slightly shaved to fit the format.

[hellooldsmelly]

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

[applesaucesims]

After the ceremony, the party made their way into the old animal shed that had been made up for the wedding to seat all the guests for the reception. As a welcome, tea was served to the adults, accompanied by some freshly baked macarons for all tables.

Despite the sweet treats, the children's table was still overcome with boredom, especially due to the awkwardness of sitting together with the cousin-in-laws they had only just met. It was sort of understood that Louis was going to have an eye over them, due to his age, but he would rather have been anywhere else than look after the grumpy girls and toddler around his table.

While most adults were sat with their family, Judy had decided to stay with her nursing school friends, catching up with whatever drama was going on with any former classmates they were still keeping in touch with.

As teacups were starting to empty, Judy stood up from her chair to uncover the food that was waiting on a buffet table. Preferring a private conversation over one in the bigger group, Niall decided to follow his sister into the small side room, as soon as he noticed the movement in the corner of his eye. Good wishes for her marriage were in order, and this was as good a time is it got.

Niall awkwardly stood behind his sister, as she was uncovering the last of the plates, but she quickly turned to him, once he made his presence known. After all these years, the two were still very close, and Judy happily pulled her brother into a hug to thank him for his well-wishes.

Judy wanted to use the opportunity to catch up, too, and Niall made use of it, as he started rambling on about his life as a father of four and the subsequent worries. Of course, Judy did not mind listening to her brother's woes. She had really been doing it ever since they were children. And most of all, she was always there to give him advice as much as she could, or at least try to cheer him up.

In fact, with her help, a sincere smile of hope started growing on Niall's face. There was always room for improvement, and any step towards it would get him closer to it, too, as Judy made sure to remind him.

[TRANSCRIPT]

Judy: "I've gotta go check on the entrées, girls. Don't dig up gossip without me!"

Niall: "Excuse me, I'll just go give Judy my proper congrats."

...

Niall: *clears throat* "I haven't had the chance, yet, but... Congratulations on your union!"

Judy: "Oh, don't worry about it. I saw your happy tears! Now come and give your sister a hug!"

Niall: *laughs* "Of course, Jude."

Judy: "Enough about me, starting to get tired of that. How are you doing?"

Niall: "Well, I guess things are going better. Bonding with the children comes a lot easier to me now. Though Emma's much closer with them than I am. I just don't see them as often as she does. And I'm not sure I can ever properly repair things with Louis. I wasn't the best father to him, though I try to be."

Judy: "Hey, it's gonna be alright, Ni. Trying is already a big step forward. And you've not taken a look at the champagne, yet, so there's that."

Judy: "You know I'm proud of you, right?"

Niall: "I appreciate it."

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711 Ocean Drive (1950) Joseph M. Newman

May 23rd 2023

[fuckyeahcostumedramas]

Audra McDonald as Dorothy Scott & Denée Benton as Peggy Scott in The Gilded Age (TV Series, 2022 - ).

[citizenscreen]

Adolph Zukor at a 1934 luncheon in his honor held at Paramount Studios. He is surrounded by contract actresses: Toby Wing, Charlotte Henry, Gail Patrick, Ida Lupino. Standing: Gwenllian Gill, Barbara Fritchie, Dorothy Dell, Evelyn Venable, Elizabeth Young, Clara Lou (later Ann) Sheridan, and Grace Bradley.

[uwudonoodle]

I always feel like Dorothy in Return to Oz on St Paddy's Day. Always trying to spot anything green. 🍀💚

[classic-hollywood-glam]

Dorothy Malone