Forbidden

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

Tony Curtis goes to Macao. He's after ex-lover Joanne Dru, now a gangster's widow with some information damaging to the current head of the Philadelphia rackets in a safety deposit box. Curtis is being paid by the racketeers to bring her back to the US. When Curtis saves Lyle Bettger from a gun man, Bettger hires him to help out at his gambling place... and then finds out that Miss Dru is the fiancee of Lyle Bettger.

It's a pretty good role for Curtis, but pretty standard stuff for the other two leads. On the other hand, there's a nice role for Victor Sen Yung as the gambling hall's piano player; he seems unusually well connected as the depths of Bettger's actual business is detailed. William Daniel's camerawork is largely standard until the big finish -- although that may be because he established the standard 'MGM gloss' look in the 1920s. Even so, he had a lot to contend with. Director Rudolph Maté had been nominated for five cinematography Oscars himself.

Forbidden stars Tony Curtis and Joanne Dru, with an appearance from Marvin Miller (The Millionaire). The plot is a bit convoluted, but you have the usual romantic complications, the good guys and bad guys, and the inevitable Hollywood ending.

Tony Curtis is a bit raw here in one of his early roles; some of his lines are not really all that convincing, however, we overlook these problems because he is an easy protagonist to root for. Joanne Dru, on the ohter hand, is not all that appealing in her character, but since Curtis wants her, we give her a pass. Curtis pursues Dru for a fee paid by a gangster, so he is not lily white clean, but we find out why later in the film. A watchable late nite film.

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.

In 1946, one of the most stylish films of the age came out, "Gilda". It was a story about a rich but rich and ruthless man with a gorgeous girlfriend and the sexual tension generated between her and the tough guy's new, younger partner. And, in "Gilda" you wondered why the rich ruthless guy would bring the pair together. Well, here in "Forbidden" you have the same basic plot with a few differences...only a few. You have the rich, ruthless guy (here it's Lyle Bettger...who even looks and talks a bit like George Macready) once again gets his gorgeous girlfriend (Juanne Dru) together with a young guy (Tony Curtis) and you wonder why...why would he do this when he knows that the pair used to be a number?!

In the case of "Forbidden" there is another agenda. Eddie (Curtis) is working for the government and he's trying to get Christine (Dru) to come back to the States because she knows enough about Keit (Bettger) to put him in prison. And, all the while Keit keeps the pair together...like a cat toying with a couple mice!

It's all quite good and Dru was never prettier. The music is lovely and the film quite good. I just didn't score it higher because it was just a bit too similar to "Gilda".