Review of The Blue Gardenia (1953) by David F — 10 Sep 2011
Although directed by the great Fritz Lang, there is nothing in the way of style or storytelling that rates this in the same tier as 'Metropolis', 'M', or the 'Dr. Mabuse' series, when Lang was working in Germany, or even in the same league as 'Fury' or 'The Big Heat', after Lang moved to Hollywood.
In fact, the film feels like it could have been directed by any one of a number of halfway decent B-picture studio men. All that aside, it has a certain appeal as a crime pot-boiler (does not qualify as film noir IMHO) and remains solid and well told, although the upshot will make you either roll your eyes, or mutter 'Oh, yeeeaaahhh.
...' depending on how carefully you're paying attention. Jilted lover Baxter takes up with slimy Lothario Burr (a long way from Perry Mason here), gets tanked on 'Polynesian Pearl Divers', and ends up blacking out at Burr's place, but not before smashing him in the head with a poker - Baxter learns the next day the man is dead.
After that, it's the usual cat-and-mouse as she tries to avoid the police (in the form of 'Superman' George Reeves), while at the same time tentatively approaching newspaper columnist Conte with her side of events.
All this and Nat King Cole singing the title song at a tiki bar!
This review of The Blue Gardenia (1953) was written by David F on 10 Sep 2011.
The Blue Gardenia has generally received positive reviews.
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