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

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

• Lady Gangster (1942)
• Between Two Worlds (1944)
• The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)
• Hotel Berlin (1945)
• Nobody Lives Forever (1946)

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.

Let's Make it Legal (1951)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe

The stars of the film MacDonald Carey, Marilyn Monroe,
Zachary Scott and Claudette Colbert have a run in on the
dance floor

'Let's Make it Legal' is a 1951 comedy starring Claudette Colbert, Macdonald Carey, Zachary Scott, Barbara Bates, Robert Wagner and Marilyn Monroe. 

It tells the story of Hugh and Miriam Halsworth (played by Carey and Colbert), whose divorce is about to become final. Their daughter, still in denial about the divorce does all she can to try to reunite them, however this becomes a more challenging task when her mother's former boyfriend, Victor Macfarland (played by Scott) returns to town after 20 years.

Marilyn Monroe appears in a small but memorable role as Joyce Mannering, a blonde gold digger looking to marry a wealthy man.

Anti-divorce propaganda

In the early 1950s divorce levels began to rise in America. This film can be seen as an anti-divorce film of the time, designed to motivate separated couples to reunite.

Significance of the rose bushes

As a viewer of the film I found Hugh's rose bushes to be a significant metaphor of the story. Despite being separated, Hugh still loiters around his former home and is determined to protect his beloved rose bushes. The rose bushes can be viewed as a metaphor between the relationship between Hugh and Miriam. As Miriam and Victor become closer, Hugh finds his rose bushes are beginning to become threatened.

Closing remarks

'Let's Make it Legal' is an enjoyable b-comedy to watch. The only negative thing I can say is Marilyn's role is simply not long enough.