Inside Daisy Clover 1965

Inside Daisy Clover (1965)

Written: Gavin Lambert
Director: Robert Mulligan
Music: Andre Previn

There are some big names from 1950’s and 1960’s film era in this film, including the heavy hitters of the time; Christopher Plummer, Robert Redford , Roddy McDowall, Nathalie Wood and Ruth Gordon, the quality of their performance shines throughout.

I like this film for so many reasons. There’s the brilliant characters; the classic kooky-American-hick-film freckles and barefoot character of Daisy (Nathalie Wood) and the nutty fortune telling mother (Ruth Gordon) who Daisy calls ‘old chap’.

Theres the small town poverty line frustrations and hardships, represented with the classic ‘yearning for freedom’ road to stardom story.

Inside Daisy Clover 1965

What I like above all else, is that the madness isn’t inside Daisy Clover, but rather in everyone else. The powerful, famour and rich the Daisy becomes involved with and wants to emulate are all twisted, damaged, predatory and weak.

Christopher Plummers manipulative control freak movie moghul is perfectly shadow-like (straight from a stint as a German Officer). Robert Redford the romantic heart throb is positively ‘Wilde’ and Roddy Mcdowall…answers the phone.

I always feel affection for Ruth Gordon (think Harold and Maude) and Nathalie Wood shows real bursts of fire and passion, innocence and playfulness – she feels perfectly cast.

The film is set in a time of golden Hollywood movies and stars a musical number here and there. It makes an effective anti american dream tale..I wonder if it could be a message, a comment on the sad tales of Judy Garlands and Monroes from the time.

I wished it was longer and does anyone else agree that it was a little like Columbo at times with the broody Jazz soundtrack?

Man with the Golden Arm

Frank Sinatra stars as Franky Machine, a.k.a ‘Dealer’, a.k.a ‘The man with the golden arm’, back room poker legend and recovering heroin addict. It’s 6 months after getting arrested and going through rehab and Franky returns home with a fresh attitude, a new musical passion and a chance to rebuild his life, but in the classic scenario his old life and habits are where he left them and ready to drag him back down.

This film is dirty and hard; heroin addiction, illegal gambling, alcoholics, poverty, psychological games, murder, and all shot through with great acting and dialogue, and a great jazz soundtrack (Elmer Bernstein/Shorty Rodgers & his Giants). At times it feels like a film with a message, but Sinatra shows great acting talent and realism. There are also great moments from Eleanor Parker, Franky’s neurotic, wheel-chair bound wife, and Kim Novak, the beautiful girl downstairs, and I can’t forget ‘Sparrow’ my favourite character.

Watch this film if you want to see the original Trainspotting, but the jazz version set in the post-war depression, or if you want to see if Sinatra can do more in a film than just sing a memorable tune (even if he can’t play the drums!)