The Dark Mirror, Original Vintage Half Sheet
The Dark Mirror, 1946 Directed by Robert Soidmak
Olivia de Havilland. Forever embedded in our collective mind as the blindingly loyal, doe-eyed Melanie Wilkes– future role model for wronged political wives worldwide–seemed destined to play the dull damsel forever.
Determined to show that she could play an Oscar-worthy bitch, in 1943 Olivia began turning down all the sniveling parts she was offered until she was suspended. She sued and won. (You must read all the details elsewhere, The de Havilland Law is a landmark case).
Dead Ringer, Half Sheet
Dead Ringer is one of those rare cinematic pleasures, A movie that can be relished on so many levels that the category Noir Horror can barely contain its glory.
Twin Movie. Naturally this isn’t Bette’s first twin movie (who cares about the first one). And, to make it even better, both twins are “Eeeevil”.
Campy juxapositions: One twin lives in Greystone Mansion in Los Angeles while the other operates a trashy gin joint. One twin wears cocktail dresses all day long dripping with jewels vs. one in cleaning lady attire and a bozo wig.
Peter Lawford stretches himself as sleazy Playboy.
Best Supporting performance by a Cigarette: Notice how Bette needs no words to get her point across. Only a cigarette. It huffs! It puffs!! It suffers a violent end in an ashtray or under a high heeled foot! And, Paul Henried is there behind the scenes directing the cigarettes performance — how trashtastic is that!
Drink to Favorite Bette Manorism. Eye Pops. Eye Rolls. Eye pop and roll. Arm Flails. Words beginning in “E” heeved with an exquisite flourish: “Eeeedith, . . .Eeeeevil” On second thought this could get sloppy.
Fine. Colors are nice and bright. No tears. Half sheet has been folded, but there is no paper loss. Poster has been stored flat. There are a few pin holes. Upper right corner (about 1/8″) has a fold mark.
