tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post7056882775039268398..comments2024-01-11T05:02:32.321-05:00Comments on Goodfella's Movie Blog: #92: The Stranger (Orson Welles, 1946)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-61906211260626398622013-09-13T06:34:43.172-04:002013-09-13T06:34:43.172-04:00I agree on many of the comments, but still feel th...I agree on many of the comments, but still feel that the characters are not very believable in their actions - this makes the story become more of a highly symbolic farce at one point. I even read it for satire:<br />http://yogisdrawings.blogspot.ch/2013/09/the-stranger-orson-welles-1946.htmlyogihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15400812162012886225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-72334955682944520702010-05-06T16:52:15.548-04:002010-05-06T16:52:15.548-04:00Anytime Welles cranks into a monologue, as he does...Anytime Welles cranks into a monologue, as he does in the dinner scene and then in the ferris wheel scene in The Third Man, he has me completely. He is mesmerizing when he gets the floor.Frednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-54877431414057181572010-01-19T17:37:47.803-05:002010-01-19T17:37:47.803-05:00John - Please feel free to post links to any of th...John - Please feel free to post links to any of the films that are in this countdown... I know that I've missed some of your stuff that was posted prior to me entering the blogosphere<br /><br />MovieMan - "Believability" is the main problem with the film, but I still think it's an entertaining mystery.<br /><br />Adam - Thanks for stopping by. I think that The Lady from Shanghai has some impressive high points. I haven't seen The Statement, though, I'll have to investigate that one. Thanks for the recommendation!Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-85612903117934519872010-01-19T13:56:38.914-05:002010-01-19T13:56:38.914-05:00Just saw The Stranger on TCM two or three weeks ag...Just saw <i>The Stranger</i> on TCM two or three weeks ago and really liked it. As far as Welles' 1940's output goes, I much prefer it to <i>The Lady from Shanghai</i>, which I thought was nonsense.<br /><br />Of course, it's still not on the level of one of his later masterpieces like <i>The Trial</i> or <i>F for Fake</i> but, still, it's highly enjoyable.<br /><br />Other great films about runaway Nazis: Schlesinger's <i>Marathon Man</i>, and Norman Jewison's <i>The Statement</i> (2003) with Michael Caine.Adam Zanziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14524618281515322239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-68339734158900703862010-01-19T09:57:10.230-05:002010-01-19T09:57:10.230-05:00I saw this a few years ago and was disappointed. I...I saw this a few years ago and was disappointed. I loved the premise - Nazi hiding in small New England town in postwar years - and the sense of place Welles initially evoked. But eventually I felt it lacked tension or suspense - that "believability" quality you describe, though to be honest I can't remember the specifics of why I felt this - and the rest of the film felt flat to me. I do know a lot of people who like it, however.<br /><br />And count me among the huge fans of Welles the actor.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-7229961945592549212010-01-19T09:25:28.388-05:002010-01-19T09:25:28.388-05:00I can't add more than what has already been sa...I can't add more than what has already been said. I like this film and agree the clocktower sequence is classic Welles. Good work by the cast. Robinson is quirky here, reminding me a bit of his role in "Double Indemnity" CLassic capsule review Dave.<br /><br />I wrote about this film back in 2008. Hope you don’t mind but I posted a link if anyone if interested.<br /><br />http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/the-stranger-1946-orson-welles/Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-14016777238207753772010-01-19T08:09:27.794-05:002010-01-19T08:09:27.794-05:00We're all pretty much on the same page here. ...We're all pretty much on the same page here. The lead performances are good, as is to be expected from actors the caliber of Welles and Robinson. It's far from a perfect movie, but at its finest moments it is outstanding - in particular, the ending clock tower sequence that Sam mentions is a highlight.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-56060539836482464222010-01-19T07:50:39.847-05:002010-01-19T07:50:39.847-05:00This was an okay movie, but then again I can watch...This was an okay movie, but then again I can watch admirable Mr. Welles in absolutely anything (even in bit parts in crappy stuff like the French movie "Austerlitz"). I might even venture to say that I like Welles-actor more than Welles-director (but I must admit I still don't know enough about his "minor" directorial works). And I definitely prefer Edward G. Robinson in the roles of "good guys" (same goes for Mr. Bogart).Quirky Characterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13590664018386916883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-61436453756090116602010-01-19T01:00:32.016-05:002010-01-19T01:00:32.016-05:00The clocktower sequence at the end is classic. I ...The clocktower sequence at the end is classic. I would have to agree with Samuel Wilson, though that it doesn't approached teh better moments of LADY, but I've always liked THE STRANGER more than most. It's implausible, but a fine suspence yarn, which gives us an excellent performance from Welles (always a treat) and as you note here in your excellent appraisal, another unique turn from Edward G. Robinson. I'm rather amazed that there may be some non-admirers of Welles The Actor out there, as he is an actor par excellence. His voice alone was seemingly made for such a venture. It's far from Welles' greatest film, but it's still an unforgettable achievement, and placement on this countdown is to be applauded.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-18662001016915393742010-01-19T00:17:02.098-05:002010-01-19T00:17:02.098-05:00Dave, Welles was still a major celebrity at this p...Dave, Welles was still a major celebrity at this point and probably the closest he ever was to being a movie star in the wake of Jane Eyre, but none of that guarantees one a directing job. As a progressive he probably did bring some enthusiasm to a project that emphasizes the persistence of the fascist menace, so Stranger shouldn't be dismissed as entirely impersonal. You note its flaws correctly but you're probably also right to have it on your list. It's not as bad as the worst parts of Lady From Shanghai, but doesn't come close to that film's better moments.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.com