Review of The Cobweb (1955) by James R — 10 Sep 2007

SOAP OPERA! Very Peyton Place-y. Where Peyton Place was set in a small-New England town -- this one is set primarily at a small-New England Mental Institution. Peyton Place also had up-and-coming and pin-up idols as most of it's cast -- The Cobweb uses all formidable actors and "method"-up-and-comers. The performances that John Kerr and Susan Strasberg put in are wonderful and reminiscent of James Dean and Julie Harris. But Richard Whitmark, Lauren Bacall (one of my favorites), Lillian Gish, and others all put in amazing performances. The real star and center of the film is Gloria Grahame. She shows off her acting chops very well as the forgotten, neglected, sexy wife.

This film has to be released on DVD! It is right up there with Peyton Place and those small-town melodramas. A favorite of mine. Catch it on TCM -- but you can find copies on Ebay.