fliXposed: The Mask of Dimitrios - Star Birthday... Faye Emerson

Saturday 7 July 2012

Star birthday... Faye Emerson

Faye Emerson was born on 8 July 1917. Starting her career as an actress, she appeared in many Warner Bros. films from 1941-1946. In 1948, she moved to television, acting in a number of television shows before becoming a TV interviewer in her later years. She became known as "The First Lady of Television". After retiring in the 1960s, she moved to Spain where she spent the rest of her life. Faye Emerson died from stomach cancer on 9 March 1983 at age 65.

Recommended viewing

Mask of Dimitrios (1944)

'The Mask of Dimitrios' is a 1944 film noir, directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson and Peter Lorre.

The screenplay by Frank Gruber is based on the novel, 'A Coffin for Dimitrios' by Eric Ambler, with the story told primarily using flashback.

Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, always a great pair

While visiting Istanbul, Dutch mystery writer Cornelius Leyden (played by Lorre) learns of Dimitrios Makropoulos (played by Scott), a man whose body had just washed up on the beach. Leyden becomes fascinated by the story, and develops an obsession for finding out more about Dimitrios' story. He begins by tracking down people from Dimitrios' past including his ex-lover, Irana Preveza (played by Emerson) and the mysterious Mr. Peters (played by Greenstreet).

Did you know...

This was Zachary Scott's film debut

Closing remarks

'The Mask of Dimitrios' is overall a good film to watch, however it can get a little slow and difficult to follow at times. It's predictable ending makes it an average entry into the film noir genre. As always, Greenstreet and Lorre make a great pair and carry the film until it's conclusion.