tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post7814396471479370003..comments2023-10-20T13:34:46.654-07:00Comments on Kevin's Movie Corner: Fabulous Films of the 50s: Devil's DoorwayKevin Deanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-26959008688562182962014-06-04T11:54:48.552-07:002014-06-04T11:54:48.552-07:00L.E., I've always liked Robert Taylor. It'...L.E., I've always liked Robert Taylor. It's interesting, most great stars of Hollywood's Golden Age had a specific personality they drew on. Taylor didn't, but he must have had something since he was very popular with audiences for a long time. <br /><br />Kim, I must admit I've never been politically correct when it comes to casting. (Must be all those Charlie Chan movies I watched in my younger days). As long as they treat the character with the dignity they deserve, it doesn't bother me. For the time, it was a big thing for big time actors like Taylor and Burt Lancaster to play Native Americans. Baby steps, but important ones. <br /><br />But my thoughts on casting goes both ways. I saw a trailer for the new ANNIE with African-American actress Quvenzhane Wallis in the title role. That doesn't bother me either. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-50608068387483004122014-06-03T19:17:21.938-07:002014-06-03T19:17:21.938-07:00Well, Kevin, count me as another person who'd ...Well, Kevin, count me as another person who'd never heard of this before your great review. I have to say, though, I would be one of those modern people who might have a problem with Taylor playing a full-blooded "Indian". Good point about the idiotic critics who gave Dances with Wolves all kinds of kudos but neglected to remember classic films that also took a much more progressive stance about Native Americans.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-1009903778658267982014-05-30T08:17:34.801-07:002014-05-30T08:17:34.801-07:00This is the first I've heard of "Devil...This is the first I've heard of "Devil's Doorway," Kevin. As with several of the other films covered in this blogathon that are new to me, I'll be looking for it. I knew that "Dances with Wolves" wasn't the first film sympathetic to Native Americans and was aware of the Barthelmess film (though I haven't seen "Massacre"), but this one wasn't even on my radar. Thank you for a really fine and interesting review of (another) overlooked gem. <br /><br />I'd never thought very much of Robert Taylor until I saw "The Last Hunt" and realized that either he had matured as an actor, or his material had improved - or both. Seems he may have found his genre with Westerns.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-3253228358252878132014-05-29T12:46:44.177-07:002014-05-29T12:46:44.177-07:00Thanks to all for writing and my apologies for not...Thanks to all for writing and my apologies for not responding sooner. <br /><br />GOM, I hope you like it. I was blown away the first time I saw it and I re-watched it for this blogathon and it was even better than I remembered it.<br /><br />CW, as everyone knows by now, I'm a huge Robert Taylor fan and as I said, I consider his role in DEVIL'S DOORWAY to be among his top three performances. Sometimes my picks change, but I would list THE LAST HUNT and ABOVE AND BEYOND the other two. Though sometimes WATERLOO BRIDGE gets the nod.<br /><br />Page, I was surprised too, since Taylor was such a popular actor. But its not a traditional western which perhaps makes it not date as much as some titles. It's a pretty angry film. <br /><br />SS, I hope you like it. There's always new classics to be discovered, or old favorites to re-watch. <br /><br />Jacqueline, thanks for your kind words. Even though Ann Blyth isn't in it, I do hope you get to check it out soon. Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-74716099224982431062014-05-27T03:49:07.027-07:002014-05-27T03:49:07.027-07:00A beautiful post, Kevin, well done. Though I'...A beautiful post, Kevin, well done. Though I've seen most of the films you mention -- and would love to tackle MASSACRE sometime -- I've not seen DEVIL'S DOORWAY, and am very drawn to your intelligent description of the movie. What a shame to be so little known. I hope to track it down one of these days. An excellent contribution to the blogathon, and especially as you note that the 1950s was such a great decade for westerns.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-89575325452676052542014-05-26T18:41:07.380-07:002014-05-26T18:41:07.380-07:00This sounds like a really interesting film. Had I ...This sounds like a really interesting film. Had I not read your review, I'm not sure I would have sought it out. Thanks for a great recommendation!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-46127658557709899142014-05-26T15:13:58.197-07:002014-05-26T15:13:58.197-07:00Hi, Kev!
I'm a bit surprised Devil's Doorw...Hi, Kev!<br />I'm a bit surprised Devil's Doorway didn't do better given Taylor's continued popularity. Of course, not being around during this time, I don't know how loyal fans felt once their favorite classic stars got older and no longer got cast in romantic leads. He was still handsome, for many anyway. and what a beauty his co-star was, is in your screen grabs. From your captions I can understand your descriptions of how great the cinemaphotography was.<br /><br />I've only seen the film once as a kid during one of my lounging around days watching westerns with my father. I'm sure he's seen it a million times since.<br /><br />I always enjoy your honest reviews and insight into film, Kev and this one didn't disappoint.<br /><br />Enjoy the rest of your Memorial holiday.<br />PageClassic Movie Blog Associationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06702094253635593581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-27404739932850629502014-05-26T15:07:31.457-07:002014-05-26T15:07:31.457-07:00"Devil's Doorway" is indeed everythi..."Devil's Doorway" is indeed everything you so eloquently expressed. It also opened my eyes to Robert Taylor's acting talent. I revisited every role after seeing "Devil's Doorway" with a greater appreciation for his accomplishments. Dismissed as a "pretty boy" the way this movie was dismissed in its time.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6189896360230007229.post-34622013760799889082014-05-26T09:23:55.920-07:002014-05-26T09:23:55.920-07:00I actually haven't even heard of this movie (a...I actually haven't even heard of this movie (and I'm an Anthony Mann fan), so I'm very glad you covered it for the blogathon. It sounds like a fascinating and mature film with a refreshing lack of preachiness. And your survey of films that portray Native Americans respectfully was interesting, highlighting a neglected corner of Hollywood. Thanks so much - your post will definitely make me look for Devil's Doorway.Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com