Answer to question # 1.
The ending in the novel and the ending in the movie were totally different, I would understand why after reading the ending from the novel, the ending from t he novel was more open to the imagination it did have the Noir elements but it was not as detailed, the last two words of the novel are " The Moon", which would leave you speculating , about the reason for those words, could it be because it what represents the last night that Walter and Phyllis will be alive will it be because it reminds Walter about the time spent with Lola its just two words that raise more doubts in the readers minds and no way to answer them. So instead of just letting go and saying well that a good novel you might have some people asking for the sequel. Or in fact asking for their questions to be answered but maybe not even M. Cain know the answers to those questions.Then the ending from the movie its more clear as what happens to the characters and why does it happen, for example in the movie Walter kills Phyllis and personally I was happy with the fact that she died, I was hoping she died in a more horrible way maybe some kind of mental torture could of gone along with it and then a slowly painful death, But then again its just my opinion, and Noir wise i believed that the film ending had a most of the Film Noir elements making it the best ending, even when the novel ending was full of suspense and darkness it just wasn't the right fit to present in a movie. the film ending didn't raise that much questions maybe some people didn't enjoy the fact that it was to predictable but what do you expect to happen when you are a twisted dark women who plans on killing everyone, it had to happen sooner or later.
The ending in the novel and the ending in the movie were totally different, I would understand why after reading the ending from the novel, the ending from t he novel was more open to the imagination it did have the Noir elements but it was not as detailed, the last two words of the novel are " The Moon", which would leave you speculating , about the reason for those words, could it be because it what represents the last night that Walter and Phyllis will be alive will it be because it reminds Walter about the time spent with Lola its just two words that raise more doubts in the readers minds and no way to answer them. So instead of just letting go and saying well that a good novel you might have some people asking for the sequel. Or in fact asking for their questions to be answered but maybe not even M. Cain know the answers to those questions.Then the ending from the movie its more clear as what happens to the characters and why does it happen, for example in the movie Walter kills Phyllis and personally I was happy with the fact that she died, I was hoping she died in a more horrible way maybe some kind of mental torture could of gone along with it and then a slowly painful death, But then again its just my opinion, and Noir wise i believed that the film ending had a most of the Film Noir elements making it the best ending, even when the novel ending was full of suspense and darkness it just wasn't the right fit to present in a movie. the film ending didn't raise that much questions maybe some people didn't enjoy the fact that it was to predictable but what do you expect to happen when you are a twisted dark women who plans on killing everyone, it had to happen sooner or later.
Question #4
Fred MacMurray definitely fits the character i had created in my mind he is this rough looking guy that sales insurance door by door intimidating enough to be able to sale enough to be the best seller that the company has. he also has this tough voice perfect for the Noir films it makes him sounds and look more manly which fits just fine with the Noir elements. The way he portrays his character helps a lot to because he has this look on his eyes that make him look sweet. On the other hand Barbara Stanwyck i had created a less innocent look for her she looks to sweet not as tough as i had pictured her she seems just a little two sweet and unlike the novel in the film she looks very easily controlled and not in charge of nothing it seems like if she was just the link that Walter needed not the actual master twisted sick mind. Barbara Stanwyck did a good job but like I said it was not like i had expected it maybe an actress that looked a little bit more rough would have done the trick.
I agree with your analysis on Fred MacMurray, and I like how you said that his voice fit. It isn't something most people consider. He did a good job. I half agree with what you said about Barbara Stanwyck. I think she played her role very well. She was sweet, (Maybe just a little too sweet)but could turn evil in the blink of an eye, and then continue being sweet. At least she could act, which may have been why they chose her.
ReplyDeleteI like that you brought up the final line of the novel as well, to get the reader thinking like you are. The novel really did leave a lot up to imagination, but it did have a lot of noir elements in it. The ending of the film was better, I agree that it was satisfying to see Phyllis die. Though I might have liked to see Walter totally bleed out in his car or something. So close to escape, and he dies. That's how I think it should have ended.
Good post.