TCM is devoting an entire day to Ida Lupino movies on Friday, August 2, as part of its annual Summer Under the Stars programming for the month of August. This is the first such day for Lupino since 2009. TCM normally airs from zero to two Lupino movies per month, with an occasional burst up to four—so 13 on a single day is certainly a treat.
Below are my priority recommendations for those who may not be very familiar with Lupino's films.
All but one of those airing are in the range from good to exceptional. Overall, they illustrate the wide range of character types and genres that Lupino skillfully navigated as an actress. They show her ability to carry a film by force of personality or to be a critical supporting player as necessary.
In describing these films, I may sound like a big Lupino fan—and that's because I am. But I became a fan of Lupino's a few years ago by watching these films (and a number of other great ones not being shown, alas).
I will leave High Sierra (1941) and They Drive by Night (1940) off my ranking. These are probably the most aired and most well-known of Ida Lupino's films by a wide margin. See them if you haven't! But if you miss out, you'll be able to catch them again soon.
My top priority are two films that are aired rarely, but deserve far wider recognition:
- The Man I Love (1947) - A noirish wartime melodrama with music, where Ida Lupino plays a nightclub singer. But she really is portraying a superhero with vulnerabilities—compelled to address the wartime homefront problems of her family and friends while encountering her own. This is a signature Lupino performance. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
- The Hard Way (1943) - Another memorable role and dynamic performance from Lupino—but completely different from The Man I Love. Here she plays an aggressive, unethical promoter for singing-and-dancing younger sister, played by Joan Leslie. Lupino was awarded the Best Actress of 1943 from the New York Film Critics Circle for this movie. Directed by Vincent Sherman.
Just below the top tier are these, two excellent noirish melodramas and one that stands alone.
- Deep Valley (1947) - Co-starring Dane Clark. A subdued Lupino role, yet she still carries the film from beginning to end. Directed by the under-appreciated Jean Negulesco.
- On Dangerous Ground (1951) - Co-starring Robert Ryan. Lupino made this while in the midst of her run as an independent writer-producer-director from 1949 to 1954. Directed by Nicholas Ray.
- The Sea Wolf (1941) - I like to insert this film into conversations about the best films of all time. Lupino has a top supporting role, paired with John Garfield. She certainly contributes her share, but Edward G. Robinson dominates the film—the only reason I don't have this at a higher priority on a day dedicated to Ida Lupino. Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Progressing down the list, two more high quality films:
- Devotion (1946) - To best appreciate this film, ignore that this is supposed to be representing the Brontë sisters and instead treat it as a fictional story inspired by them. It is excellent in that regard. This is the film that pushed me over the edge into a superfan of Lupino's. Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
- Pillow to Post (1945) - For a change of pace, Lupino stars in a screwball comedy! Perhaps not so surprising if you are familiar with her 1930s Hollywood career or her 1950s sitcom Mr. Adams and Eve. Your preferred style of humor will affect how much you enjoy this, but it is very well done. Directed by Vincent Sherman.
Now the relatively lower priority films. Still worth seeing if you can!
- Out of the Fog (1941) - Lupino and John Garfield are top billed, but Thomas Mitchell is really the star here, with sidekick John Qualen, and is terrific. TCM has aired this fairly often recently. Directed by Anatole Litvak.
- The Big Knife (1955) - Lupino stars as the estranged wife of a movie star portrayed by Jack Palance, in this ensemble picture based on a Clifford Odets play. John Garfield was a major inspiration for the Palance character and had originated the role on the stage. Garfield, a close fiend of Lupino's, had tragically died a couple years before this film was produced. Directed by Robert Aldrich.
- Escape Me Never (1947) - Like Devotion, this film is better than its reputation. While the least memorable of Lupino's great run of pictures in the 1940s, I think it has gotten a bad rap over the years in part because Errol Flynn fans were disappointed that this is not a high-energy action film, but instead a woman's picture. Lupino and Flynn were great friends and their chemistry here is through the roof. Directed by Peter Godfrey.
And the lowest priority film by my ranking:
- While the City Sleeps (1956) - I have this at the bottom for two reasons: first, it is just an okay film; second, TCM airs it fairly often. It is unusual in that it is an ensemble film with ten stars. So Lupino has relatively little screen time. What she has is delicious, however—and unlike any other Lupino role you'll see on this day. Directed by Fritz Lang.
Before concluding this, I have to plug some of my favorite Lupino films that are rarely or never shown on TCM, because they are from studios outside the TCM library. In particular, Ladies in Retirement (Columbia, 1941), Moontide (20th Century-Fox, 1942), and Road House (20th Century-Fox, 1948). These belong in the top tier of recommendations. Seeking them out will be rewarding.
Please also peruse my writings on Ida Lupino here at this blog. I have devoted substantial time and energy to studying her life and career over the last few years and believe I have come up with some interesting and original articles. Here are couple related to the films being aired by TCM:
- How Did Ida Lupino Almost Lose Her First Warners Starring Vehicle To Bette Davis? (The Hard Way)
- Making Sense of the Lupino-Bogart feud (High Sierra and Out of the Fog)
I hope others enjoy Ida Lupino's films and would love to hear thoughts on your favorites, least favorites, and so on.
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