Short post today
More in the nature of a public resolution, actually.
To wit–I want to explore the star persona (as pseudoteurial node of meaning) of Jennifer Jones (nee Phylis Flora Isley).
Best way to do that, of course, is to revisit all of her films–so that’s what I’ll do (probably not one after another, although that would certainly be intense!)
I wonder if I’m alone in liking every item in the oeuvre (and in believing–at least in anticipation–that there’s something really worth discussing in each of them)?
One of the motivating factors for my project is this (excellent) Dan Callahan post, which (apart from his dislike for Portrait of Jennie–which the Siren addresses in the comments section), I think, articulates the consensus opinion on Jones (and Selznick). A consensus that I don’t entirely concur with, obviously.
But the primary source of inspiration is the lingering impact of my last encounter with Gone To Earth, which I love more with every neuro-trackback!
We’ll see how it turns out.
I leave you, for now, with a link to a dubiously dubbed clip from one of my favourite items in the oeuvre–Ruby Gentry (directed by King Vidor).
good afternoon friends!
Dave
When you get this project underway, be sure not to forget Dick Tracy’s G-Men (1939)!
ah yes–an excellent point sir!
I’ve actually never seen any of the pre-Bernadette films–I certainly would like to track them down (and I’m definitely poking around for ’em), but this train of thought might have to leave the station without them, sadly!
Dave
I think this is an interesting project. I’ve also blogged on “We Were Strangers” (your photo above), and I hope to get to “Gone to Earth” before too long, though I think “Bernadette” may be on my to-do list before that. Jones was a fascinating actress, unfortunately one of those whose personal life always precedes any examination of her work. I suppose it can’t be otherwise, but I’d love to see a purely technical analysis of her films sometime. I’ll look forward to your impressions.
ah wonderful–it’ll be nice to have you aboard, Jacqueline!
I’ve got all of the DVDs that have earned region one releases (and all of the other films made between 1943 and 1966 in avi form)… so I’ll be watching ’em in chronological order, starting with Bernadette, beginning early next week (I’m sort of holding out hope that I’ll be able to latch onto one or more of the “Phyllis Isley” movies, just for comparison’s sake… but if it doesn’t happen, I’ll just go ahead… they’re not actually essential to a study of the Jones persona… and this definitely won’t be a study that takes any account of the actor’s offscreen life–it’s so much less interesting!)
I will, however, probably veer into the paratextual world when I get to Gone to Earth/Wild Heart AND Statione Termini/Indiscretion of an American Wife, because I’ve recently obtained access to the chopped up versions, and I’ll be screening those for the first time!
Hi Dave, I here by give you the Premio Dardos Award, because of your versatile and brilliant writing.
Read more about it at my blog:
http://classicmaiden.blogspot.com/2009/03/premio-dardos-award.html
thank you Sebina–I’m deeply touched and honoured!
Dave