Mr. Ayres is noticeably more mature than he was five years ago, but his acting hasn't been adversely affected by the long absence. Get two weeks for FREE at the Friend Level today on http://www.webpianoteacher.com, where you can download my sheets, watch the rest of the parts for this series, and view thousands more of my lessons! Davis worked for Universal Studios after moving to Hollywood in 1930, but she wouldnt achieve fame until signing with Warner Bros. two years later. . Presumably Christine and Karel will then head off in the sunset and a life of artistic success. Here is a list of the films on this set and the special features, as listed at Turner Classic Movies: Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2012. Davis starred in a number of hit pictures under Warner Bros., including Jezebel (1938), Dark Victory (1939), and Now, Voyager (1942), and was one of the studios biggest money-makers in the 1930s and early '40s. Hollenius' Cello Concerto was written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who composed the music for this film. [10], Paul Henreid says he enjoyed working with Bette Davis again but did not get along with Irving Rapper, the two men barely speaking to each other.[11]. This film conyains one of Miss Davis' greatest performances, as she enters into the very heart of what a loveless life can do, to a young woman, and finnaly an older woman, living in a house with a cousin who caused so much of her loneliness. Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. See Davis at her best in The Letter. Will Karel's jealousy ruin his chance of a lifetime? . His high-falootin' vocabulary just oozes civilized mayhem. the plot was interesting and it had me guessing for a while. After a string of failed launches, Bette Davis was at her wit's end. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry. And all of the cynical analysis which he so expressively speaks on the subject of female behavior strips Miss Davis' character of appeal.Paul Henreid is stolid and solemn as the man whom Miss Davis wedsthe obviously tertiary character in this obliquely two-character show. I wouldn't have missed it for the world." She took on roles and roles in films that were both good and good parts, as well as a good cast after Bondage. Cast. The screenplay was written by John Collier and Joseph Than. When Colbert sustained a back injury on the set of Three Came Home (1950), she was forced to drop out of the project, and Davis was cast in her place at the last minute. Pah! As they walk out a lady says, "Oh, Christine, you must be the happiest woman in the world," which eventually elicits a wan smile from Christine. Speaking this line is the only time that Claude Rains shows his true feeling for Bette Davis in this overwrought but oh so enjoyable film. . Watching them play off one another is a real histrionic treat. In particular the occasion of ordering dinner where he becomes so absorbed in the endless delicate details, he undoubtedly steals the scene with finesse. One can see he thoroughly enjoyed the role he's called upon to play, executing it with a flamboyant style all his own. 'Deception' feels almost subtle in comparison (who am I kidding??). . Davis was known for her outspokenness and her ability to command attention, and her last words are often seen as a reflection of her personality. Bette Davis was born on April 5, 1908 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA. This satisfying melodrama has one thing going for it: the great music one hears throughout the movie, it's highlight being the Korngold Cello concerto, a rarity seldom heard, let alone in films. Christine is going to be his muse and help him regain his confidence by getting Hollenius to help him present his music. While filming What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? But this time they had less success. . Everybody involved was obviously given free rein, from the lead actors all the way through to every behind-the-scenes artisan, the best that Warner Brothers could muster at the time. See production, box office & company info, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA. But her off-screen was as dramatic as her movies, with her infamous feud with Joan Crawford still tantalizing people today. This is some of the sharpest, wittiest dialogue I've seen in a movie, rivaling Ernst Lubitsch and every bit as good as in All About Eve. Friction develops between Novak and Hollenius, and the composer angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak's temperamental behavior. Davis lunges at him, wanting to marry him immediately. Beginners welcome. Davis's performance of "23 Appassionata" at the wedding reception was dubbed by the composer Erich Korngold, who had been a child prodigy when he was a teenager. She founded and was president of the Tailwaggers Club, a group dedicated to animal welfare. The nervous, insecure Karel, fresh from probably a concentration camp, is suspicious of this so-called friendship, but Christine continually lies to him - Hollenius likes to give fancy gifts to friends, he won't go out with someone who is poorly dressed, he heard her play the piano and bought her a piano - yada yada yada. It seen as possibly Davis's finest performance (I would disagree). Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. And his cello concerto is a fine work in itself! A great film moment! Rains is always great when playing intense, articulate men imposing their will on others and his Hollenius is quite a creation. . The scene where the great composer unexpectedly arrives at Bette's and Paul's festive wedding party at her great loft apartment overlooking the river in New York (modeled on Leonard Bernstein's apartment) and trades poisonous banter with Bette and Paul makes the movie worth it by itself. Marta Mitrovich, See the article in its original context from. The film is based on the 1927 play Monsieur Lamberthier by Louis Verneuil. , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. This broods a bit and suggests trouble, and then comes the third player, who outdoes them both, in the form of Claude Rains. 6 was filmed as part of the film. Privacy Policy [6] In the play, the character played by Rains is a voice on the phone. . The sets are incredible and have a whole life of their own - huge luxurious drawing rooms, shadowy stairwells, grand staircases made for dramatic death scenes, lots and lots of cine-rain spattering windows and flooding the street of the evocative opening sequence. No matter--it cannot be stated too often. Not fair! He makes assumptions and confronts her, but frightens himself with his own vehemence and apologizes, though says he is leaving. . Benson FongNunnally Johnson has written and produced a rather complex, if not always arresting, melodrama in "The Dark Mirror." Deception is a Netflix film from 2008. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. We search near and far for original movie trailer from all decades. Her adopted son, Michael Merrill, received the vast majority of the estate. DECEPTION; screen play by John Collier and Joseph Than, based on a play by Louis Verneuil; directed by Irving Rapper; produced by Henry Blanke for Warner Brothers. Sadly, Bette Davis died on October 6, 1989, of metastasized breast cancer, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. [5], Despite the earlier success of Davis, Henreid, Rains and director Rapper, and generally positive reviews, Deception proved to be an expensive exercise for its producers. In short, it lacks emotional punch. That she does, with such coiling of her body and rotating of her eyes as has become entirely familiar in the more unrestrained things that she plays. . A piano teacher named Christine Radcliffe is being mentored by conductor Alexander Hollenius. Regal and the Copyright Fandango. Her mothers relationship with Joan Crawford was constantly in the news, and she was on set with her at the time. Oh, and I forgot to mention the amazingly good symphony performance scenes, with an original cello concerto by Korngold, ("played" by Henreid with the arms of two real cellists reaching in from either side to play the instrument). The play was presented again on Broadway on October 1, 1946 under the title Obsession at the Plymouth Theatre, with Eugenie Leontovich and Basil Rathbone. At Bette's request The Virgin Queen received its premiere in Maine, preceded by a cocktail party at her home, Witchway. She has really been in love with cellist Karel (Henreid), but thought him a war casualty, and circumstances forced her into her relationship with Hellanious. . In France, where her work is revered, her death was front-page news. Davis attributes her success to hard work. Indeed, the whole problem in the picture has a thoroughly artificial look.But, then, that's the movies for youespecially when they're tacking up a show-piece intended primarily to exhibit an actress' emotional range. [8] Glenn Erickson observes: In the original play the Karel Novak character is the one moved to violence at the conclusion, so Deception may be a case of a play distorted by the needs of the Hollywood Star Vehicle. . (1962), Davis had a Coke machine installed on set as a dig at her costar Crawford, who was the widow of Pepsis CEO. And that, so far as we can figure, is all "Deception" is intended to dojust to give Miss Davis an opportunity to act a harassed and love-tortured dame. Matched penultimately perfect for the picture, Davis and Rains match each other's most intense acting skills during a major bedroom blow-out between them. Where trailers from the past, from recent to long ago, from a time before YouTube, can be enjoyed by all. Then David O. Selznick took over and wanted Bette, but only in a deal whereby Errol Flynn would be her Rhett. The 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? And then, when the unsubmissive lover threatens nastily to tell all, the lady, for some uncertain reason, fills him full of lead.In the play, the vengeful murder is performed by the lady's jealous spouse, whichalthough it may seem a bit violentdoes make a little more sense. It could have been and should have been much better. Excellent clarity. She then discovers him in New York and the two marry immediately. I live to watch that scene over and again for its acting mastery. After marrying her long-lost love, a musician finds the relationship threatened by a wealthy composer who is besotted with her. Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. . . 1 has a part called "The Part of the Piano Sonata.". If this film had gotten a better editing job, I might have given it an 8. It looks like the perfect crime finally has been committed, but luckily Lew Ayres has returned from Army service to resume medical practice, this time as a psychologist with a convenient interest in the mental processes of twins, particularly identical twins.Olivia de Havilland is the dual lady, and for the life of us we never were sure when she was being Ruth, the good sister, and Terry, the evil one. A fellow musician and composer who has just barely survived life in Europe during WWII, Karel is sick and emotionally frail. :) Let's Gather Together to learn, play, and share the music we love, creating a culture of encouragement for all of you out there trying to learn piano online. In honor of her birthday on April 5, here are some facts about Bette Davis. Subscribe to CLASSIC TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u43jDeSubscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6hSubscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUnLike us on FACEB. As a famous and worldly composer with some vicious attachment to a dame, he fills out a fascinating portrait of a titanic egoist. . I love this movie but on the face of it I feel a little ridiculous saying I love it because the plot as it is executed is borderline ridiculous. But, then, let's not quibble on that point. Lela BlissMiss Beade . The Many Talents Of Bing Crosby: From Crooner To Pianist, How To Get David Gilmours Signature Guitar Sound, The Best Guitar Strings For Metalheads: Metallicas Secret, How To Play I Love You On Guitar Billie Eilish, How To Connect A Wireless Guitar Controller To PS2, How To Play Rock On Electric Guitar: The Basics, How To Play Guitar Like Marty McFly: 5 Tips For Beginners. In addition to her acting career, Davis was also a successful businesswoman, owning her own production company and serving as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. There is much that is wonderful about it, but there is a lot wrong with it. . Karel and Christine return to her apartment. Peter is very much interested in cultural practices around the world including music, history, languages, literature, religion and social structures. Crawford used more subtle tricks to get back at Davis: Before shooting a scene where Davis had to drag her across the ground, Crawford reportedly put on a lead-lined belt to make it that much harder on Davis (who had a bad back). To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. She was subjected to a screen test by MGM-Mayer in 1930. Rains all but steals the film as the genius composer with some of the cruelest and wittiest lines ever uttered by this talented actor. Fans around the world are paying tribute to one of Hollywood's most enduring stars, Betta Davis. Less than four years after 'Deception' came 'All About Eve'. It looks like nothing was found at this location. Henreid and Davis play lovers, Karel Novak and Christine Radcliffe, who lost touch during the war, with Christine believing that Karel was dead. Maybe try one of the links below or a search? Bloating a film does not turn it from B to A. . The Haydn, Schubert, and Mozart used so artfully by Korngold did too. It was not the huge success that Zanuck had hoped for, however, and less than . By creating an account, you agree to the You're almost there! She told Playboy in 1982 that she did not dare to be hated and that she would never get to where she wanted to be. If it had been filmed in the taut way that "Sudden Fear" was in 1952 (a melodrama that starred Joan Crawford and garnered her her third and final Oscar nomination), "Deception" would have turned out a lot better. Did Bette Davis Really Play The Piano In The Movie Deception? Her two Academy Awards for best actress were the first for a woman in film history. But, more than this, the camp of 'Deception' is positively elevated to high art. I'd consider it one of Rains' best acting performances - so suave, always a 'bon mot' at the right moment. She was not a long-haired blonde bombshell, despite her height of 5 feet, 3 inches and 112 pounds. 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