Forbidden

"Forbidden" (1953) is full of suspenseful twists and turns. Tony Curtis is a small-time hood sent by the mob to Macau to neutralize Joanne, who has incriminating information. Joanne Dru, more familiar in westerns than in film-noir, reminds me of Grace Kelly, perhaps better looking and a better actress as well.

The plot gets really moving after Tony, a mobster, saves businessman Lyle Bettger from some powerful enemies - but then what? There are romantic complications and betrayals. If you prefer yesterday's intriguing plots and snappy dialog to today's overdone special effects, this one is for you.

A gangster (Alan Dexter) sends Eddie (Tony Curtis) to bring back another gangster's widow (Joanne Dru) as she knows too much information about Dexter's activities. Curtis traces her to Macao but he is also being followed by someone else (Marvin Miller), on the instructions of Dexter, to ensure that he sticks to the plan and doesn't double-cross Dexter. Curtis and Dru were once in love and the thinking is that Curtis can lure her back to the US. On his way to the Lisbon Club, Curtis saves the life of the owner (Lyle Bettger) who then invites him back to his house and gives him a job at his club.....guess who his fiancée is?.....

Bettger puts Curtis and Dru in awkward situations to see if they still love each other, and eventually, the chemistry between Curtis and Dru is re-ignited. From then on, the film becomes a question of how they will get together and escape Bettger and Miller. There are betrayals and misunderstandings before Curtis and Dru make a run for it.......

The pianist at the club (Victor Sen Yung) seems to have been put into a role to provide painfully wooden Chinese wisdom (coz thats what Chinese people do!). Apart from him, the acting is good and the film is enjoyable.

Tony Curtis stars in "Forbidden" from 1953, also starring Joanne Dru and Lyle Bettger, directed by Rudy Mate.

Tony is Eddie Darrow, who has been hired by a mobster to find Christine Lawrence (Dru). Christine is one of those people who knows a little too much about Barney's business, since she is the widow of one of his associates. Barney wants her found and brought home.

In Macao, Eddie soon meets Justin Keet (Lyle Bettger), a powerful casino owner engaged to Christine. Christine was once Eddie's girlfriend, so he finds the situation awkward to say the least. Eddie has to get her away from Justin and as far away from both Justin -- and Barney -- as possible.

Pretty good, with nice performances by Curtis, Dru, Bettger, and Victor Sen Yung. Amazing fight scene toward the end.

I used to work for Tony - love seeing his films.

I saw this film when it first came out and thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast were great, right down to the beautiful white Jaguar XK120. Surely it should be possible to see most of the old films rather than endless repeats of the limited few, many of which are hardly deserving of the privilege. One way or another I have managed to see many old favourites but this one still eludes me. Macao, made the year before is available on video - so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Saw 'Forbidden' as part of my Tony Curtis completest quest after being recommended many of his films here in the recommended for you section. It was not something that was intended initially but actually it has proven to be a generally worthwhile experience, even with a couple of missteps.

While there were and are better actors about and he didn't always look comfortable in his early films, Curtis was always immensely likeable and had a charming charisma with many good and more performances under his belt. The cover was also appetising and the story, while unoriginal, seemed really interesting. 'Forbidden' turned out to be a very good film, a good representation of Curtis in one of his better early roles and films.

'Forbidden's' somewhat unoriginal premise is obvious in some predictable plotting in spots.

Also, the Macau setting is more studio back-lot than authentic. Victor Sen Yung is a little wooden.

However, 'Forbidden' is stylishly and atmospherically shot and does look very pleasing. The music is also a good fit and works well as an energetic and ominous score on its own, the beautiful "You Belong to Me" (have found myself randomly singing that a lot around my flat recently on an irrelevant side note) is great to listen to, Virginia Rees sings it well.

The direction is more than competent while 'Forbidden' is snappily scripted and with some surprising twists, suspense and intrigue outweighing thankfully the derivative nature. The pace is always efficient, nothing's dull here. Curtis is a very amiable and charismatic presence, and he is well supported by Joanne Dru at her loveliest (their chemistry is charmingly amorous too) and a menacing yet subdued (not a bad thing) Lyle Bettger.

In summary, fun and well done film. 8/10 Bethany Cox