Product description

Laura [DVD] [1944] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Price: £6.06
Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : DVD
EAN : 0024543060826
Label : 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer : 20th Century Fox
Publisher : 20th Century Fox
Release date : 2005-03-15
Title : Laura [DVD] [1944] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Actor : Array
Format : Array
Languages : Array
Number of items : 1
Original release date : 1944-01-01
Region code : 1
Running time : 87
Studio : 20th Century Fox
Theatrical releaseDate : 1995-01-01
MPN : FOXD2006083D

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Know how sometimes you can't get a song out of your head? Well, watch this Otto Preminger classic at your own peril: even if you've never heard the title tune before, you'll be humming it long after the movie is over. A tricky mystery, the film deals with the murder of a popular young woman, with whom several men seem to be involved. But the most unusual is the police detective (Dana Andrews) who, as he sifts through the clues, finds himself drawn over and over to the painted portrait of the murdered woman until he becomes obsessed with her. Preminger won the Oscar as best director, though he finished the film after Rouben Mamoulian started it. Oscars also went to the cinematography, the screenplay and supporting actor Clifton Webb, as the acidic columnist who was close to Laura. --IMarshall Fine, Amazon.com/I

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-09-21 rating:

Complicated murder mystery.
br /Complicated murder mystery starring Dana Andrews and Dame Judith Anderson. br / br /A woman named 'Laura' is 'nurtured' by an older man named 'Waldo Lydecker' (Clifton Webb). He attempts to guide her also in love - putting off every suitor because he really wants her for himself. The mystery begins when it is believed that Laura has been murdered. Everyone falls under suspicion, but there's an unusual shock twist in store. br / br /A good story with a complex plot if you can follow.

review by: date: 2008-02-01 rating:

A fine thriller but not a great one
The picture nobody wanted, Laura was one of Fox's most notorious bad-luck pictures, and some of the bad luck stuck. After all the studio's A-list directors had turned it down (one of whom, John Brahm, ironically went on to remake it as Portrait For Murder in TV's 20th Century Fox Hour), Rouben Mamoulian began the picture until producer Preminger took over, reshooting much of his footage. Even David Raksin's famous theme only came about when Alfred Newman, Bernard Herrmann et al had turned down the picture. The result may well be an acknowledged classic, but while it's good, it's not THAT good. br / br /Something is missing. That we are unaware of working-class detective Andrews' infatuation with the dead murder victim Laura until until the venal Waldo Lydecker tells him, despite Andrews fine performance, is indicative of the problems of the film. That we have to be told so much instead of sensing it for ourselves is one of the film's greatest weaknesses. Some of this can be attributed to Darryl F. Zanuck's penchant for over-editing - it takes a while for it to become clear that the victim's face has been shot off - some to rewrites, but regardless of their cause, all play against the film. Structurally, too, it is scarred. The decision to reduce the original three narrators to one either goes too far or not far enough: as it stands, Waldo's opening narration is soon ignored and later lacks logic. br / br /Despite her awe-inspiringly bad taste in hats (she favors the S'Wester look), Gene Tierney is all about the look, not the performance here. While the painting of Laura (in reality a touched up photograph) holds a magical allure, she cannot live up to the eulogies of the supporting cast in the flesh. The real stars of the show are Vincent Price's Southern gigolo and Clifton Webb, great fun in an overwritten part as the patron saint of purple prose Waldo Lydecker that makes the film feel like a Joe Mankiewicz drawing room thriller rather than a noir. br / br /Yet for all its weaknesses, Laura is full of good things. There is some brilliant camerawork from Joseph LaShelle, who took over from Mamoulian's choice of Lucien Ballard after filming Webb's screen test (refusing to read for the role, Webb chose to do his Blithe Spirit monologue for the cameras instead!), while David Raksin's theme effectively haunts the detective in its various guises wherever he goes. When the two combine, as in a superb tracking shot that keeps Laura's portrait present in the frame with Andrews as he wanders through her apartment, they become the veritable blood in her veins, creating an impression that no actress could ever live up to. At times the picture even adds up to more than the sum of its parts and it's still a good wallow, but it's one best approached with few expectations if you want to get the most out of it. br /

review by: date: 2005-10-14 rating:

CLASSIC FILM NOIRE AT IITS FINEST...
What is there not to love about this film? From the stark, stylized chiaroscuro cinematography, which won it an Academy Award in 1944, to its stellar performances, deft direction, and intelligent screenplay, it is simply a marvelous film. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Vera Caspary. To add icing to the cake, there is a haunting musical score that will stay with the viewer long after the final credits have scrolled away. pThis classic, old-fashioned murder mystery features a stunning Gene Tierney in the title role and old time favorite Dana Andrews as Detective Lt. Mark McPherson, the hardboiled, virile gumshoe who finds himself smitten the minute he sees the portrait of Laura Hunt at the scene of the crime. He is determined to bring the murderer of this lovely young woman to justice. As have all the men in Laura's life, McPherson, too, becomes obsessed with her. pWhen a major, mind-boggling twist in the plot casts a new light on the evidence, McPherson goes full speed ahead, as new developments point the finger of suspicion from the least likely to the most likely suspect. Could it be Laura's jealous aunt, Ann Treadwell (Dame Judith Anderson), who seems to be hot to trot with Laura's fiance, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), despite the differences in their respective ages? Could it be Laura's playboy fiance? After all, he has a shady past and a penchant for money and other women, especially those who could keep him in the style to which he would like to become accustomed. Could it even be Laura's long time friend, mentor, and spurned would be suitor, the acerbic writer and self-styled cynic, Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb)? pGene Tierney gives a luminous performance as Laura Hunt, the beautiful, intelligent, independent businesswoman who is somewhat of a cipher. She is someone to whom men are drawn, often obsessively so. Dana Andrews is perfect in the role of Detective McPherson. His no nonsense, street smart, hunky detective is a great counterpoint and foil to the more effete and prissy Waldo Lydecker. Clifton Webb is positively brilliant in the role of Waldo Lydecker and steals the show from under the noses of his co-stars. This is no mean feat given the enormous talent of the film's stellar cast. Webb's droll, spot on delivery of the wonderful lines that he was given are memorable. pVincent Price is excellent in the role of Shelby Carpenter, Laura's Callow fiance and erstwhile gigolo. At first, however, he took a little getting used to, as I was used to seeing Vincent Price in roles associated with gothic horror. Still, he acquits himself admirably. Dame Judith Anderson is memorable in the small role of Laura's desperate aunt, Ann Treadwell, who knows what she wants and will pay whatever price is necessary to get it. Of course, Otto Preminger deserves kudos for his deft direction, as does Samuel Hoffenstein for writing a screenplay infused with such great dialogue. Kudos also go to David Raskin, as his memorable score will forever be loved and remembered by those who enjoy this film. It is certainly one that is worthy of a place in one's personal film collection.

review by: MikeonAlpha date: 2005-08-23 rating:

"A doll in Washington Heights got a fox fur out of me once"
Laura is one of the quintessential examples of classic Hollywood film noir. All the attributes are there - a mysterious murder, brooding romanticism, the obsession of a beautiful woman, and a love that reaches far beyond the dark shadow of death. Elegantly directed by Otto Preminger, Laura is all about the lengths one will go, to prove one's love. The story is about passion and infatuation and about two very different men who end up being obsessed with the same woman. pThe movie begins as the wealthy Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) sits in his bathtub writing Laura's biography in his swank Manhattan penthouse. It soon becomes obvious that he has been sexually obsessed with a woman who was just found murdered. Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), a working class detective assigned to the case, is questioning Waldo about his relationship with Laura.pMark is ruggedly handsome, muscular, and down-to-earth, the complete opposite to the snotty, effete Waldo. From the outset, the two take an instant dislike to one another. Although Waldo did not have a sexual relationship with Laura, they were great friends, he admired her beauty and gave her first big break in the advertising world where she moved into a position of prominence through her own ability. pMark becomes captivated with the dead woman when he searches her apartment and sees a beautiful portrait of her, but he is frustrated that he doesn't have any leads to the case. Waldo tells Mark that he has been constantly obsessed with her and jealous of her other boyfriends in the 5-years that he knew her. He was particularly resentful of Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), whom he despises as being someone who is a weakling, a scoundrel and a scam artist. pLaura's older aunt, Anne Treadwell (Judith Anderson), is in love with Shelby and doesn't care if his character is rotten, even supporting the bankrupt society person from Kentucky with funds. Mark is convinced that Anne, Shelby, and Waldo, are hiding something and they all become his suspects in the murder. As the young detective keeps digging into Laura's life, a sudden revelation casts light on whether it was really Laura that was murdered after all. pLove letters, an antique clock, and an alibi that just doesn't add up, all factor into the serpentine plot. As Mark becomes more obsessed with Laura's portrait, he seems to be more intent on finding her killer, with Waldo and Shelby becoming the two most likely suspects. The film's theme of obsession ends on a psychopathic note, showing which one is not willing to give up his ideal woman to the other. pThe acting is magnificent, with the beautiful Gene Tierney perfectly suited to the icy and cool Laura. Dana Andrews is a revelation as Mark, and his truculent, sexy he-man attitude is nicely juxtaposed to the caustic almost effeminate performance of Webb. But it seems odd to me that Shelby and Waldo; the films two prissiest men are even attracted to Laura in the first place. pAdding to Preminger's accomplished direction is the arresting cinematography by Joseph La Shelle, which creates a moody, tension fuelled atmosphere. Laura is a provocatively twisted tale; a very satisfying seductive thriller that explores the nature of unrequited love and the notion that misplaced romantic infatuation will always end in disaster. Mike Leonard August 05.

review by: moviebuff05 date: 2005-06-20 rating:

a timeless beauty
this is one of those films which i will always pick out for a cold windy night to watch and though i know the ending i will still be scared the whole way through it. This film is a masterpiece, gene tierney is beautiful in her role as laura hunt and the storyline and settings are sumptuous in every possible way. It is worth a look just to see tierney who really shines through in this film with the expression ' stars are not made like that anymore.'

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