Ida Lupino! Today we look at one of her most famous films. Her performance does beg the question, was she any good? In the film she plays a lounge singer, and pianist. We hear her and wonder if it is any good. When she finishes, the crowd in the lounge is enthralled and impressed. Cornel Wilde and Richard Widmark are drooling. I guess she did well, though, as Celeste Holm remarked, she seemed to be gargling with gravel. Not important, as she wore some very provocative and shiny gowns as she performed. Our feature today is 1948's "Road House," directed by Jean Negulesco.
Jefty (Widmark) runs a road house in which there is a lounge, restaurant, bowling alley, gift shop, etc. His number one man is his childhood friend Pete (Wilde). Susie (Holm) is keen on Pete, but not vice versa. One night Jefty returns from Chicago with a new lounge singer/entertainer, Lily (Lupino). She's ravishing and Jefty is so in love with her, but she does not love him. No matter, Jefty is convinced she will be. Pete sees what's going on and knows Lili is no good for this place. Jefty paid her far above her value and houses her in a nice motel instead of a room upstairs. Pete tries to get Lily to leave but she won't. You see what's coming. Lily increases business for Jefty's Road House and also falls in love with Pete. Eventually Pete will fall in love with Lily.
Poor Jefty. The poor guy gets a marriage license as he is that sure Lily will want to marry him. Being friends forever, Pete is confident he can break the news to Jefty and he will take it like a man. Ha! No way! When a dame that looks like Ida Lupino is involved, maturity and civility are nowhere to be found. Now Jefty is out for blood and he is smart. He crafts an elaborate plan to strike back at Pete and Lily, and ultimately to force Lily to marry him. Lily will sing and play the piano and seduce everyone in the lounge while she does. Jefty is entranced by her and there is no way he will just hand her over to Pete.
Will the friendship between Pete and Jefty still be intact by the time the end credits roll? Will anyone have the guts to suggest singing lessons for Lily? Just how far will Jefty go in securing Lily for himself? This is a good one and the performances are all first-rate. The ending will be wild! For a neat Film Noir film, see "Road House."
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