Noir Alley screens Angel Face on TCM Party

moviesJul 5, 202670725

Turner Classic Movies' Noir Alley screened Otto Preminger's Angel Face (1952) with viewers checking in under the hashtags #NoirAlley and #TCMParty. The screening was prompted in part by the recent passing of lead actress Jean Simmons, who plays a psychopathic seductress who ensnares an ambulance driver played by Robert Mitchum. Richard Brody notes Preminger repeatedly drew intense, chilly performances from his cast; Mitchum radiates heat without warmth while Simmons blends violent and erotic passions into a blank, abyssal gaze. Brody recounts an on-set confrontation in which Preminger kept ordering retakes of a scene in which Mitchum had to slap Simmons until Mitchum either slapped Preminger or nearly did. Brody also emphasizes Preminger's spare visual sense and his law-trained, dialectical staging, visible in balanced two-shots and recurring courtroom motifs. Viewers referenced Eddie Muller's introduction, praised the film's brutal cliff sequence and revelatory ending, and highlighted supporting turns such as Mona Freeman's performance.

CT Million

@ctmillion.bsky.social

When Robert Mitchum says, "I've been slapped by dames before", I tend to believe him. #AngelFace #NoirAlley #TCMParty

6145d ago

Phoef Sutton

@phoefsutton.bsky.social

Tonight on Noir Alley on TCM #NoirAlley #TCM ANGEL FACE (1952) A great Noir with a GREAT ending. Jean Simmons as the ultimate Femme Fatale and Robert Mitchum as the ultimate patsy. Highly recommended.🎥

3445d ago

Brilliant! And yet...incredibly stupid2

Recording this; Jean Simmons at her incredible best.

Brent Michaud2

Otto kept making Bob slap Jean, saying "Harder!" Bob turns, slaps Otto and says "Is that hard enough for you, Otto?" They don't make them like Mitchum any more.

astina72.bsky.social1

An enjoyable film with a rather surprising ending, I thought.

Dr AM Sardar1

Simmons could play evil really well. She's excellent in Footsteps in the Fog, a Victorian thriller about a man who murders his wife & then is blackmailed by her maid.

Phyll Indablank

@phyllindablank.bsky.social

I've said this before, but Robert Mitchum movies have always featured non-white actors in more respectful, non-caricatured roles. #AngelFace #NoirAlley #TCMParty

3645d ago

@gingergray.bsky.social

Here for #AngelFace on #NoirAlley. I’ve seen it but it’s been a while. #TCMParty

1945d ago

Marci

@marcikay.bsky.social

Mona Freeman is an unsung hero in #AngelFace. Mary Wilson is no match for Diane Tremayne but Freeman holds her own. Her performance is really good. #TCMParty #NoirAlley

1745d ago

Van Stanwyck8

You don't often see the good girl directly call out the femme fatale's machinations to her face in real time. #AngelFace #TCMParty #NoirAlley

leeia3

Interesting photo with the gauzy surround. #TCMParty #NoirAlley #AngelFace

Craig Duffy1

Think of her often since I work for See’s Candies and she painted the official portrait of Mary See

Kat Martinez, MA

@violetbluebird.bsky.social

Enjoyed the "nasty little murder film" #AngelFace but I would've had the champagne. See all you Noiristas next time! #NoirAlley #TCMParty

1745d ago

Citizen Screen

@citizenscreen.bsky.social

If you didn’t love Mitchum before you’re likely to adore him now. What a back story to ANGEL FACE told by Eddie Muller! #NoirAlley #TCMParty

1844d ago

🎞️🎥✨celluloidsoul

@celluloidsoul.bsky.social

The dummies hanging out of the sides of the car getting smashed over and over as it rolled down the cliff was pretty brutal. #AngelFace #NoirAlley #TCMParty

1845d ago

A Nick Charles

@nickcharles.bsky.social

Missing #NoirAlley #AngelFace #TCMParty 🕵️‍♂️🍸 My Nora and I (and Asta) are tucked away in a 1930s wooden cabin on Lake Quinault so I can escape the fireworks. (They just started in the distance. Damn.) Stay safe, noiristas.

A wooden cabin down some steps nestled among the trees.

1745d ago

A Nick Charles7

Not to worry: I packed accordingly for our 2 night stay. #NoirAlley #AngelFace #TCMParty 🕵️‍♂️🥃

🎞️🎥✨celluloidsoul2

Hope you have a nice time!

Sophronia Borgia, maybe.

@sophronia.bsky.social

My kid: Who's that? Me: Jean Simmons. Kid: The one from KISS? Yeah, I guess I can see it. #AngelFace #TCMParty #NoirAlley

1545d ago

Aldo Gandia

@aldobarkeeper.bsky.social

Robert Mitchum wasn't look well in #AngelFace. He suffered from lifelong, severe insomnia. And, by 1952, his hard-drinking, non-stop schedule, & lack of sleep began to take a toll on his appearance. #NoirAlley #TCMParty with partiers