His character is an egotistical, sexy, hilarious conductor with the improbable name of Alex Hellonious. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, although her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas. It could have been and should have been much better. She regrets that she could have played Scarlett OHara, but she declined the role for many years. In fact, was there ever a more detestable egotist than Rains' arrogant composer, Hollenius. It stars Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, who had also appeared together in the highly successful Now, Voyager (1942). Bette Davis is a competent actress, or so we've been led to believe, but they'd better start giving her good storiesor soon we'll be led to forget. Christine forgot to mention that she's been shacked up with a famous composer, Alexander Hollenius (Rains), who's been keeping her. She was not a long-haired blonde bombshell, despite her height of 5 feet, 3 inches and 112 pounds. But this was still a time when people cared and cynicism hadn't taken over so much that now anything not total po-faced realism (outside of a comedy proper) is sneered at knowingly or declared "so bad it's good" by a seemingly more 'sophisticated' audience. This film conyains one of Miss Davis' greatest performances, as she enters into the very heart of what a loveless life can do, to a young woman, and finnaly an older woman, living in a house with a cousin who caused so much of her loneliness. The screenplay was written by John Collier and Joseph Than. It's a delight and one more reason to treasure this film. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Please reference Error Code 2121 when contacting customer service. The play was presented again on Broadway on October 1, 1946 under the title Obsession at the Plymouth Theatre, with Eugenie Leontovich and Basil Rathbone. the plot was interesting and it had me guessing for a while. Forget Henried's Karel who is merely window dressing. If it had been filmed in the taut way that "Sudden Fear" was in 1952 (a melodrama that starred Joan Crawford and garnered her her third and final Oscar nomination), "Deception" would have turned out a lot better. Bette Davis is one of the most iconic and admired classic Old Hollywood actresses of all time. The protagonists are all musicians whose lives may be more complicated than one foreseesyet, there is something far more important that you also cannot see in advance: the miracle of silver screen's power to communicate ideas in a tremendously vibrant manner. Her first film, Bad Sister, was released in 1931. But the pro's at Warner Bros. manage to do it, in spades. [12] For some scenes, Henreids arms were tied behind him, and two cellists put their arms through the sleeves of a specially designed coat.[13]. By creating an account, you agree to the "It's like grand opera, only the people are thinner" said one reviewer Absorbing acting and filming, top of their games in an aging musical genre, Top Warner Brothers cast in one of Davis' last great films, This Movie, Seen On TV 30 Years After Its Release, Gave Me An Education In Music, Superb Trio in Classic of Classical Music Score, "You can't choke the truth out of a person!". When "Deception" was first released, one gushy fan mag declared that it was "just like opera, only the people are thinner!" We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. Here's a quick summary. 23, Opus 57 in F Minor (Appassionata), "AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores Nominees", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deception_(1946_film)&oldid=1124511490, Einar Neilsen as Neilsen, orchestra conductor (uncredited), This page was last edited on 29 November 2022, at 02:39. 1 has a part called "The Part of the Piano Sonata.". Karel and Christine return to her apartment. Suspecting the sabotage of her husband's career, she unsuccessfully attempts to bribe Gribble into not co-operating. . This is some of the sharpest, wittiest dialogue I've seen in a movie, rivaling Ernst Lubitsch and every bit as good as in All About Eve. Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. Friction develops between Novak and Hollenius, and the composer angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak's temperamental behavior. Her greatest regret was not finding a good match for her four previous marriages. Although few actresses have ever achieved distinction in this hazardous undertaking, the dual personality temptation likely will persist until some mischievous author comes along and writes about identical triplets. Her adopted son, Michael Merrill, received the vast majority of the estate. Another weak aspect is the editing. Of course, it helps having two of the most dominating performers of the time, Davis and Rains, as leads. Kiernan Shipka portrays B.D. Those words echoed in my dreams as a young man. On a recent Turner Classic Movies broadcast, I finally caught up with all of this one, having seen only snippets of it before. . This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. There has never been an official explanation as to what happened to her. The cast begins with two principals, played with usual intensity by Bette Davis and with usual restraint by Paul Henreid. Get two weeks for FREE at the Friend Level today on http://www.webpianoteacher.com, where you can download my sheets, watch the rest of the parts for this series, and view thousands more of my lessons! . . . Scott Elliott . Will Hellanious spill the beans about his "protegee"? Claude's not very happy losing her to Henreid. But, the script-stealing scene is between Davis and Rains. The film was based on a play Monsieur Lamberthier by Louis Verneuil, which was first performed in Paris in 1927. Hmm, do I smell a rat here? This man was brilliant in all of his films, but this slice of ham is truly high art from the Claudester. . Privacy Policy Bette Davis last words is a phrase that is often used to describe the final words spoken by the actress Bette Davis. I had my doubts about the accuracy of that comment, but from the moment Rains makes his first appearance my doubts were dispelled and it was clear which of these players was going to leave me slack-jawed with appreciation of the enormity of their talent. One of the few actors of Bette Davis' time who could match her screen intensity was Claude Rains. She has told him that she is living a financially precarious life as a pianist but this conflicts with what Karel sees in her apartment, such as a fur coat hanging in the closet and rare art on display. . This labor is titled "Deception," and it came to the Hollywood yesterday.The Warners may hate us for snitching, but "Deception" is based upon the same Verneuil play as is "Obsession," a current revival on Broadway. Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. Davis lunges at him, wanting to marry him immediately. Bette Davis and Paul Henreid play ex-lovers who were separated by the war. Her friends at work were her closest of friends. A very satisfying look at Davis and Rains at the peak of their powers. Well, without much time to process everything Christine's lost love Karel Novak (Henried) who was presumed dead suddenly surfaces. This is a complete filmography of Bette Davis.Davis began acting in films in 1931, initially as a contract player with Universal Studios, where she made her film debut in Bad Sister.She was initially seen as unappealing by studio executives, and was assigned to a string of B-movies early in her career.. Davis made a transition to Warner Bros. in 1932, and made her breakthrough performance in . Well done Melodrama of that era. Deception (1946) A marvelous chamber piece, in a way, involving orchestral music. Pah! By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Davis attributes her success to hard work. Her reputation was solidified by her role as one of the "true greats" of the film industry, according to her former boss, President Ronald Reagan. Hollenius' Cello Concerto was written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who composed the music for this film. On top of it all, this movie has a wonderful score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and is photographed in glorious black and white with moody shadows that makes it real cinema noir stuff. Davis, Henreid, and Rains play classical musicians caught in a torrid love triangle that ends violently. When he returns, their romance is rekindled But during the time he was believed dead, Bette had become involved with composer Claude Rains. When she was older, she changed her first name to Bette as an homage to Honor de Balzac's novel La Cousine Bette. She ends her affair with Rains and tries to pretend it never happened. In honor of her birthday on April 5, here are some facts about Bette Davis. Coming as it does, not only on the cusp of Hollywood's golden age but also Davis's at Warners, 'Deception' is often forgotten or dismissed in favour of the previous classics she made with Warners or the gothic hysterics of her later films. A great film moment! [4][5], According to TCM, Davis wanted Deception to be a two-character film, like the play. Like many Hollywood starlets, Bette Davis changed her name. Davis was taken to the hospital outside Paris for an emergency after arriving in Europe to receive an award. The film is based on the 1927 play Monsieur Lamberthier by Louis Verneuil. Didriksen . Where trailers from the past, from recent to long ago, from a time before YouTube, can be enjoyed by all. This time Mr. Johnson's dialogue, which is usually distinctively flavorsome as screen writing goes, is surprisingly pallid.Like many another actressBette Davis, for instancewho has been tempted by the lure of playing against herself, Miss de Havilland does nothing in "The Dark Mirror" that will add to her stature as an actress. Did Bette Davis Really Play The Piano In The Movie Deception? Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter When Colbert sustained a back injury on the set of Three Came Home (1950), she was forced to drop out of the project, and Davis was cast in her place at the last minute. I wouldn't have missed it for the world." Cellist Karel Novak (Paul Henreid) was presumed to be killed during the war; so his sudden return surprises everyone, especially his lover Christine Radcliffe (Bette Davis). Watching them play off one another is a real histrionic treat. Betty Davis was worth an estimated $40 million when she died in 1989. . . . In 1999, Davis was placed second behind Katharine Hepburn on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood cinema era. She founded and was president of the Tailwaggers Club, a group dedicated to animal welfare. Instead of developing the story from B to A, they tarted up the script with words like "effrontery," "abject," and "virago." For the mephistophelian performance of Claude Rains in this villainous role makes her look completely childish and, from the viewpoint of logic, absurd. What happened to Bette Davis after her death is unknown. . Davis wrote a letter to the. But, despite withering opinion, those not enamoured of Davis's charms will still find much to smack their chops over as well. . Of course, Karel turns up alive and well, and Christine keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret. Mozartproject.org is a media and news platform that covers music genres, culture, fashion and the industry of entertainment. If his power in real life was 10% of what he exhibits on screen, then swooning is the definite order of the day. A recent re-evaluation has convinced me that this is a bit of a classic. Doesn't the great Hollenius seem a tad too possessive? . (For her trouble, Christine has a wardrobe full of fur coats and a soundstage-sized apartment that I'd kill for.) The Haydn, Schubert, and Mozart used so artfully by Korngold did too. and the They inserted serious classical music here and there. An expensive production, Deception claimed a budget north of $2 million, thus becoming the first Bette Davis star vehicle to lose money for Warners, after a string of box-office hits (and oscar nominations). This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. She was demoted to usherette after failing to land the part. She planned on packing it up and going back to New Yorkjust before she booked The Man Who Played God, a film about a deaf pianist. Rainy Manhattan streets, shadowy interiors and expressionistic cinematography all contribute to the dark atmosphere of this romantic melodrama in which deception, jealousy and fear are prevalent throughout. The song Bette Davis Eye, originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, topped the music charts when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981. Hollenius doesn't see it that way since Christine is his mistress and that is where all the goodies that Christine enjoys are coming from. A piano teacher named Christine Radcliffe is being mentored by conductor Alexander Hollenius. Subscribe to CLASSIC TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u43jDeSubscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6hSubscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUnLike us on FACEB. Mr. Ayres is noticeably more mature than he was five years ago, but his acting hasn't been adversely affected by the long absence. With high production costs and modest cinema patronage, it became the first Bette Davis film to lose money for Warner Bros.[14], Film critic Dennis Schwartz generally liked the film, writing, "Irving Rapper (Shining Victory/Now, Voyager/Rhapsody in Blue) helms this labored romantic melodrama, a remake of the early talkie 1929 Jealousy that was also based on a Louis Verneuil play. Cinemark Since I'm collecting Claude Rains films I recently bought this video, "Deception," and viewed it today. But this time they had less success. Just confirm how you got your ticket. The movie itself has draggy moments, but Claude Rains is at his suave, epicene best. And, I have to admit, an out and out camp classic. Warner Bros. originally purchased the play as a vehicle for Barbara Stanwyck and Paul Henreid. Somehow Henreid accepts that she paid for this apartment with a music teacher's salary. Also gumming up the works is the Production Code, which wasn't about to accept a woman finding happiness after admitting to years of unmarried sex.[9], The working title of the film was Her Conscience, but Davis objected. Thousands of people crowded the streets outside the Strand Theatre in Portland, Maine, for the screening on 22 July 1955. Coming Soon. After seeing it, I admit that it has been one of the truly rare surprises for me in the film-viewing experience a superb movie with practically three people within the 'scheme' of the plot. This satisfying melodrama has one thing going for it: the great music one hears throughout the movie, it's highlight being the Korngold Cello concerto, a rarity seldom heard, let alone in films. . Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. (1962), Davis had a Coke machine installed on set as a dig at her costar Crawford, who was the widow of Pepsis CEO. [3] Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Reception 4.1 Critical response He makes assumptions and confronts her, but frightens himself with his own vehemence and apologizes, though says he is leaving. She told Playboy in 1982 that she did not dare to be hated and that she would never get to where she wanted to be. . All rights reserved. A melodrama with delusions of grandeur. But she's living in a palatial apartment that clearly was given to her by Rains. We search near and far for original movie trailer from all decades. Cast. Deception (1946) Official Trailer - Bette Davis, Claude Rains Movie HD A piano teacher believes that her fianc, a cellist, was killed on the battlefield. Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022. Davis was just awesome, like always. If she had won the Oscar statuette for that performance, she would have made history again as the first actress ever to win three Academy Awards. Irving Rapper's "Deception" reunited the three stars of a much better Bette Davis' vehicle: "Now Voyager". with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. Cinemark Margo Hyman is the author of the book The B.D. This Universal-International production, which arrived yesterday to puzzle patrons of Loew's Criterion, left this spectator in a state of bewilderment second only to that of Thomas Mitchell, the harassed police lieutenant in the story who is confronted with a murder involving twin sisters and can't distinguish one from the other. Davis also starred in a number of contemporary films, such as What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Bette Davis as Christine Radcliffe Paul Henreid as Karel Novak Claude Rains as Alexander Hollenius John Abbott as Bertram Gribble featured her in a role. . The screen crackles with vitriol. Hollenius soon gives Novak a manuscript score of his new cello concerto, which Novak agrees to perform at its premiere. Indeed, Malone adds, Davis wanted to become proficient enough to play live for the camera, but director Irving Rapper told her that it was not worth the effort, because no one would believe it. . She was subjected to a screen test by MGM-Mayer in 1930. Her condition deteriorated while she was returning from a film festival in Spain. Coming Soon, Regal He was a notorious scene stealer, filling the molds of his cinematic characters so completely it is virtually impossible to think of another actor in his place. When he returns alive, they marry, but are menaced and threatened by a wealthy, egotistical composer she started dating on the rebound.Welcome to the Fandango MOVIECLIPS Trailer Vault Channel. . The world's greatest living composer, Alexnder Hollenius. And that, so far as we can figure, is all "Deception" is intended to dojust to give Miss Davis an opportunity to act a harassed and love-tortured dame. Claude RainsBertram Gribble . 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