Here are some customer reviews of
Laura
: My teenage daughters moaned when I put on this "old black and white" movie. Now it's one of their favorites, and it's led them to the "classics" section at the video store. The characters and atmosphere grab you early and don't let go. And the music is addictive.
This is the film that made me love the movies and become a film buff. When Otto Preminger was told to take over this project from wunderkind Rouben Mamoulian, it was reportedly a mess. How much was already in the can has always been in dispute, some still maintaining to this day that the famous opening shots are director Mamoulian's work. David Raksin's famous score, however, so beautiful and haunting that it set the tone for the entire film, had not yet been written. Preminger told Raksin to take the weekend and come up with something or he would use Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" instead.
Raksin's marriage was falling apart at the time, and over the weekend he wrote the theme from Laura as much for his wife as for the film. Sadly, it did not save his marriage. It did, however, change forever this film. Raksin's score was so haunting and beautiful that Preminger hung the entire picture on it. Decades later, both this film and Raksin's lovely score are regarded as two of the best to ever come out of Hollywood.
Dana Andrews had his greatest role as Detective Mark McPherson, assigned the murder of society girl Laura Hunt due to office politics. Wlado Lydecker is also the role Clifton Webb will be remembered for. He is perfect as the deceased Laura's vain and famous benefactor. He uses his wit and intellect to destroy all of Laura's suitors in his weekly column, as we see in flashbacks told to McPherson by Lydecker himself during the investigation.
Vincent Price had his best non-horror role as Shelby Carpenter, the one man Waldo could not drive away. Laura was to have been married to Carpenter, a heel with perfect manners. The more McPherson learns about Laura the more he wonders why such a sweet and down to earth girl ended up a society page murder mystery. She liked baseball and shares a favorite book with McPherson. Her portrait, painted by one of the suitors Lydecker destroyed in his column, hangs ominously above the chair where Mark McPherson reads her diary, searching for clues that will help him unravel the mystery of both her life, and her violent death.
Laura's fiercely loyal maid, Bessie, protects Laura's reputation at every turn. McPherson is sympathetic and wants to protect her reputation also, as he has fallen for a ghost. David Raksin's haunting score sets the atmosphere to every film buff's favorite mystery romance. Halfway through this film, on a rainy night in Laura's apartment, the entire case will be turned upside down in one of the most famous twists in screen history.
This film was adapted from the terrific Vera Caspary novel of 1943 and is a literary classic as well. Both the novel and the film are timeless treasures to be cherished. This is one of the finest films ever made and one you simply have to see. You will never feel the same about the movies after buying and watching this film. It will make you fall in love with the movies.
I first saw this movie because the "Theme from Laura" is one of my favorite songs. I'm so glad I did!! As a classic movie fan, I must say that it is one of the best movies I've seen. Tiereny and Andrews are perfect for their roles. The supporting cast is incredible too! I definately believe that anyone who hasn't seen it should see it, and anyone who has should see it again.
Just viewed the recent DVD release and it was worth waiting for such a classic to finally arrive on the format. No matter how many times I view this movie it seems to get better and the acting by all concerned is a treasure to watch. The alternative ending is interesting,however I am not a fan of all this "Bells and Whistles" releases depicting different endings/deleted scenes etc as I find them quite unnecessary,but dont let me force my opinion on anyone,its just I prefer most of the time the "Barebones" releases. Anyhow a wonderful movie and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the old style 40,s dramas
I have seen the movie many times and each time I seem to find myself surprised. It is enjoyable suspense movie that can give a good sense of film noir. I can truly say your money would not be wasted at all. So enjoy I have.
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