• It’s on the fringe but after one viewing I’m putting it in the archives. Negulesco doesn’t do anything amazing (probably best known for the mask of dimitrios) but it has a solid script from Charles Brackett (early collaborator with Billy Wilder) and the cast is solid
  • Thelma Ritter, always reliable, makes a mean (good) fake unsinkable Molly Brown—it probably took her less than a minute to prepare for this role and Webb could play this aristocrat here in his sleep as well. It’s Stanwyck is drives the film and is as good as she usually is. Baseheart isn’t given enough to do. A young Robert Wagner is good with a young Jean Simmons look-alike
  • Won the oscar for best writing
  • The Webb role/character feels like it could’ve been offered to and passed by David Niven and William Powell
  • It’s a family drama with an epic background—they hint at the iceberg and it’s woven in pretty well. Negulesco and Brackett choose to have the tragedy happen matter of factly which is a surprising and powerful (absolutely correct) choice
  • The set piece and miniature work is very solid
  • Webb’s character comes up big at the big moment and, he, with is son, singing “nearer by god to thee” is devastatingly potent
  • Recommend but not near the top of 1953