Duel in the Sun Posted 16 September 2008 in Screening log 1946 US Dir King Vidor Cast Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten, Lionel Barrymore, Lillian Gish, Herbert Marshall, Walter Huston, Charles Bickford IMDb

Sleazy good fun, what a slut Jones was for Selznick. Wears foundation three shades too dark to play a feral half-breed, exoticised Other, lust object. It’s all absurd and possibly a bit offensive, but it creates an interesting dynamic where men are powerless before her (endless depravity — her father can barely restrain himself) but she has no real agency whatsoever — entirely & only the lust object. So after much rambling about and detours with a parade of hammy has-beens, it ends the only way it can, really: mutually assured destruction in the titular duel in the sun. One of the most satisfying climaxes ever, possibly, arguably in both senses. The film thinks way too highly of itself (prelude and exit overtures?) and is silly as often as it is impressive, but it’s an original.

2 Comments »

That Selznick… http://filmexperience.blogspot.com/2008/10/anecdote-of-week-how-do-you-score.html

Comment by Mango — 24 October 2008 @ 24 October 2008

That is particularly hilarious considering the same guy did the score for the film I queued up as I was reading your comment, Angel Face. I shall probably always think of this when I see his name in credits now. And Selznick anecdotes will never go out of style.

Comment by Lauren — 26 October 2008 @ 26 October 2008

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