Titanic (1953)
Before you get too excited, this is nothing like the 1997 version of Titanic. Yes, the setting is the same, but Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb aren’t portraying black-and-white versions of Rose and Jack. They’re a separated married couple, and when Barbara takes the children and sails back to America, Clifton follows her aboard to try and win her heart again. There is a young couple who fall in love, Barbara’s highbrow daughter, Audrey Dalton, and the young university student Robert Wagner, but there’s no painting and no necklace.
I actually like the 1953 version better. The special effects are incredibly impressive, and there were no computer graphics to use. The set designs and costumes are gorgeous, and there’s no back-and-forth storyline that takes the audience out of the action and decades into the future. I never liked the parallel storyline aspect, and I found the older Stanwyck-Webb plot far more interesting than the Winslet-DiCaprio plot. Is a spoiled rich girl slumming it in the back of a car really more riveting than a wife telling her husband one of their children isn’t his? If you think it is, stick with James Cameron and his special effects.
Jean Negolesco does just fine without them. There’s a lot more than just models and a tilted camera. There are extensive sets, incredible water effects, floating chunks of ice, and more foam in the water than in the 1997 remake. There’s a fantastic detail when ship captain Brian Aherne writes in his log and places his pencil down; the pencil rolls downhill off his desk and he watches it with defeat on his face. In my opinion, with the exception of the opening sequence in 1997 (finding the wreckage and the restoration from Gloria Stuart’s memory), the 1953 version is just as impressive.
I actually like the 1953 version better. The special effects are incredibly impressive, and there were no computer graphics to use. The set designs and costumes are gorgeous, and there’s no back-and-forth storyline that takes the audience out of the action and decades into the future. I never liked the parallel storyline aspect, and I found the older Stanwyck-Webb plot far more interesting than the Winslet-DiCaprio plot. Is a spoiled rich girl slumming it in the back of a car really more riveting than a wife telling her husband one of their children isn’t his? If you think it is, stick with James Cameron and his special effects.
Jean Negolesco does just fine without them. There’s a lot more than just models and a tilted camera. There are extensive sets, incredible water effects, floating chunks of ice, and more foam in the water than in the 1997 remake. There’s a fantastic detail when ship captain Brian Aherne writes in his log and places his pencil down; the pencil rolls downhill off his desk and he watches it with defeat on his face. In my opinion, with the exception of the opening sequence in 1997 (finding the wreckage and the restoration from Gloria Stuart’s memory), the 1953 version is just as impressive.
I also prefer the acting, with few exceptions, to the 1997 remake. As much as I usually praise Barbara Stanwyck, she must have been going through a hard time during the making of this movie and didn’t put her mind on her character. She didn’t come across as a refined, first-class passenger, nor a dedicated mother, nor afraid to be in a life-or-death situation. Her counterpart, Clifton Webb, gave the performance of a lifetime. If you can’t imagine him without his Mr. Belvedere persona, you’re in for both a treat and a shock. I had no idea he was capable of such acting, and each time I watch his final scenes, I tear up.
Thelma Ritter is another passenger on the ill-fated ship, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown. Her classic Thelma Ritter-ness adds humor and warmth to the movie, and you can’t help but want to give her a hug after she gives away her fur coat. Richard Basehart gets an interesting character, a priest with a secret, and also endears the audience to him. Allyn Joslyn is the typical “me first” passenger, and while you won’t like him, you’ll recognize his behavior as most of human nature. Brian Aherne is so perfect as the captain, if you don’t recognize him underneath his white beard, you’ll wonder where they found a real captain who could act.
There’s no reason why this isn’t considered one of the great classics of the 1950s, while others like High Noon and Marty have taken its place. It’s expertly made, and the attention to detail can be traced back to real records and logs. If you haven’t seen it, grab a box of Kleenex or two and get ready to cry your heart out. There’s nothing sadder than a tragic story that’s actually true.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "john S" for posting!
More Brian Aherne movies here!
More Richard Basehart movies here!
More Thelma Ritter movies here!
More Barbara Stanwyck movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1997's Titanic here!
Thelma Ritter is another passenger on the ill-fated ship, the “unsinkable” Molly Brown. Her classic Thelma Ritter-ness adds humor and warmth to the movie, and you can’t help but want to give her a hug after she gives away her fur coat. Richard Basehart gets an interesting character, a priest with a secret, and also endears the audience to him. Allyn Joslyn is the typical “me first” passenger, and while you won’t like him, you’ll recognize his behavior as most of human nature. Brian Aherne is so perfect as the captain, if you don’t recognize him underneath his white beard, you’ll wonder where they found a real captain who could act.
There’s no reason why this isn’t considered one of the great classics of the 1950s, while others like High Noon and Marty have taken its place. It’s expertly made, and the attention to detail can be traced back to real records and logs. If you haven’t seen it, grab a box of Kleenex or two and get ready to cry your heart out. There’s nothing sadder than a tragic story that’s actually true.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "john S" for posting!
More Brian Aherne movies here!
More Richard Basehart movies here!
More Thelma Ritter movies here!
More Barbara Stanwyck movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1997's Titanic here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Director of 1953: Jean Negulesco
Best Actor: Clifton Webb
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Dramatic Screenplay