This post is part of the For the Love of Film (Noir) Fundraiser Blogathon. Go HERE to donate.
She was the quintessential "good girl" of Film Noir. While the scheming, murderous bad girls of noir got all the attention, Gray was quietly lending her talents to some of the key films of the genre, including KISS OF DEATH, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, and THE KILLING.
In fact, her performance in NIGHTMARE ALLEY is essential to the film. In a role that could have come off as cloying and one-note, Gray imbues Molly with a conflicted conscience and a grounded genuineness that makes her character's goodness feel real. The realness of Molly's goodness makes Stan's descent into ruin that much more tragic.
Here's my haiku tribute to the wonderful Coleen Gray.
I.
Nice girl goes slumming.
Watch out for Tommy Udo,
Wheelchair assassin.
II.
Electra the Amazing,
Cited for indecent exposure.
Say a prayer for the Geek.
III.
Oh Leech Woman, your
John Wayne costar days are long
Gone! B-flicks pay bills.
IV.
Good Girl of Film Noir.
Such seedy stories. Who thought
She would find Jesus.
February 18, 2011
For the Love of Film (Noir)
It's been almost five days since the For the Love of Film (Noir) blogathon fundraiser started, and even though I contributed a post over at LFM, I just realized I haven't actually donated any MONEY to the cause.
Yeah, so I'm picking my jaw up off the floor and heading on over to donate.
And if you're reading this blog, then I'd suggest you go donate too. Click the neat-o image below to go to the donation page.
Just think, your donation (and mine) will go towards restoring THE SOUND OF FURY (aka TRY AND GET ME), a 1950 noir starring Lloyd Bridges and directed by Cy Endfield. That's worth shelling out a few clams for, I'd say. As it stands right now, the donations are behind this year compared to last, so our options are: Go heist an armored car for the dough, or DONATE more.
If you don't feel like donating, perhaps this guy (courtesy of Robert Siodmak's CRISS CROSS) will convince you:
I hate to threaten, but this IS a film noir fundraiser, so it seems appropriate.
Thanks to The Siren and Marilyn Ferdinand (and Greg Ferrara!) for putting this whole shebang together.
Yeah, so I'm picking my jaw up off the floor and heading on over to donate.
And if you're reading this blog, then I'd suggest you go donate too. Click the neat-o image below to go to the donation page.
Just think, your donation (and mine) will go towards restoring THE SOUND OF FURY (aka TRY AND GET ME), a 1950 noir starring Lloyd Bridges and directed by Cy Endfield. That's worth shelling out a few clams for, I'd say. As it stands right now, the donations are behind this year compared to last, so our options are: Go heist an armored car for the dough, or DONATE more.
If you don't feel like donating, perhaps this guy (courtesy of Robert Siodmak's CRISS CROSS) will convince you:
I hate to threaten, but this IS a film noir fundraiser, so it seems appropriate.
Thanks to The Siren and Marilyn Ferdinand (and Greg Ferrara!) for putting this whole shebang together.
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