Carl Deuker -- Books, Movies, TV

  4/5 stars Wikipedia:  Scarlet Street   is a 1945 American   noir   tragedy [2] [3] [4]   film directed by   Fritz Lang . The screenplay concerns two criminals who take advantage of a middle-aged painter in order to steal his artwork. The film is based on the French novel   La Chienne   (literally   The Bitch ) by   Georges de La Fouchardière  [ fr ] , that previously had been dramatized on stage by   André Mouëzy-Éon , and cinematically as   La Chienne   (1931) by director   Jean Renoir . [5] The principal actors  Edward G. Robinson ,  Joan Bennett  and  Dan Duryea  had earlier appeared together in  The Woman in the Window  (1944), also directed by Fritz Lang. Local authorities in three cities (New York, Milwaukee, and Atlanta) banned  Scarlet Street  early in 1946 because of its dark plot and themes. [6] Edward G duped by Bennet & Duryea, ends up a bum after stabbing Bennett in a rage and then pinning the rap on Duryea who dies in the chair.  Well acted, with numerous surprises.

 Richard Basehart plays con man/ cop murderer in a procedural.  One of those over-praised film noirs that sound better than they turn out to be.  Hooked it after 30 minutes.

 War between drug rings in Fargo and Kansas City.  Minnesota cop with wife battling cancer is in the middle of it (along with wife's father).  Coen brothers, so lots of odd details that basically work--spaceship over motel during final gun battle somehow seems okay.  Main villain is the Indian, Vietnam War hero who fights for one gang, then betrays them, probably due to years of insult and racism. More flash than substance, but it held the eyes

  Excellent film about Glasgow Country singer.  Lower middle-class, two kids, 25 years old with great country voice and dreams of Nashville.  Interactions with frustrated mom, wealthy female employer, and her two hostile/loving children who want to trust her but don't.  Great except for a slightly weak ending--can't see any other ending though.  She goes to Nashville, sings a song at the Grand Ole Opry when no one is watching, realizes Nashville success requires total dedication . . . and little or no contact with her children. Returns to Glasgow and is the best Glasgow country singer. Not her dream, but good enough.