Joan Leslie

  • Raoul Walsh – The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956)

    1951-1960AdventureDramaRaoul WalshUSA

    Set in the early ’40s, a San Francisco prostitute is run out of town just as the second World War has begun to intensify. Mamie settles down in Hawaii, hoping to start a new life. Though her prospects look good when she falls in love with a science-fiction writer who treats her with the respect she deserves, the dawning war and the fallacies of her previous lifestyle complicate their budding romance. Mamie cannot fully remove herself from her former profession, and provides some of her old services to the sailors stationed in town. Searching for another means of financial security, Mamie invests in several pieces of real estate and becomes quite wealthy, though her bad reputation has not been forgotten by the locals.Read More »

  • Alfred L. Werker – Repeat Performance (1947)

    1941-1950Alfred L. WerkerFilm NoirMysteryUSA

    Synopsis:
    Sheila kills her husband at the start of the film with a smoking gun. We don’t know how or why. All we know is men are banging on her door and she escapes. There is a notable dialogue as she makes her way to a New Years celebration with Richard Basehart as the poet William Williams. As she goes up the stairs to John Friday’s apartment (her producer), she wishes she could relive the year and undo what she has done. William Williams, in an offhand remark, states he wishes he was the one who shot Barney, her erstwhile husband. We see that Destiny is not too happy with making changes to her plans.Read More »

  • Howard Hawks – Sergeant York (1941)

    1941-1950DramaHoward HawksUSAWarWorld War One

    Synopsis:
    Somewhat fictionalized account of the life and war service of Alvin York, who went from humble beginnings to being one of the most celebrated American servicemen to fight in World War I. As depicted in the film, Alvin turned to religion when he was struck by lightning during one of his drunken outings. Alvin took his newfound religion seriously claiming to be a conscientious objector when receiving his draft notice. When that was refused, he joined the infantry where he served with valor, capturing a large number of Germans and saving the lives of many of his men who were under heavy fire.Read More »

  • Allan Dwan – Flight Nurse (1953)

    1951-1960Allan DwanUSAWar

    http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1820/nurse0b.jpg

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    Plot: In this war drama, set during the Korean War, an Air Force nurse gets involved in a love triangle on the front lines. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

    Quote:
    A routine film on the surface, Flight Nurse is quite original in showing war from the point of view of a nurse who is as comely as as she is generous. Far from hiding her charms under the uniform, she emphasizes the to assert the right to life and beauty. Dwan thus makes a kind of erotic ritual of her applying make-up, particularly lipstick: Joan Leslie, in sympathy with her wounded patients, knows that her sex appeal provides far more comfort to them thah her medical attentions. In desiring her, they commune with their wives or girlfriends. When it comes to healing, desire is granted the same power as prayer. Michael Henry Wilson, Allan Dwan’s Moral Tales At the Edge of Paradise, in Allan Dwan The Name beneath the Title (2001)Read More »

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