The Great Flamarion (1945)

Excellent but underrated film

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Erich von Stroheim is the Great Flamarion, a sharp-shooter stage act who uses real bullets in his set pieces that also involves husband and wife team Dan Duryea (Al) and Mary Beth Hughes (Connie). Duryea drinks too much and this enrages Stroheim for the act requires precision timing. Hughes sees a way to rid herself of her husband and uses Stroheim to this end. However, she betrays him and he seeks revenge.The film is told in flashback, so we know the outcome, but the interest comes from the story. Unfortunately, it drags and Stroheim is a character for whom it is difficult to feel any sympathy. The film plods predictably along. See it once and it's OK but listen hard coz Stroheim mumbles.

WOW - this film is nothing like I imagined it to be. I've been watching some "dark crime" films lately and quite a number of them have 'cutesy' or somewhat comical moments in them - they are lightweight. This film is not like that - this one really is "dark crime" film -- and a damned good one! I'm pleasantly surprised.The acting in this film is extraordinary - a long ways from being cheesy. The story is good - heartbreaking. My heart bleeds for Flamarion what happened to him was sad, and talk about a cool character! This is a very serious crime drama in-spite of it being centered around the vaudeville circuit and 4 of it's members: Flamarion, Connie, Al, and Eddie.Definitely a recommended film.9/10

Early in his career, Erich Von Stroheim was well known for his temperament and excesses--so much so that his once celebrated career was practically in ruins by the 1940s. Because his star power had faded so, he was forced to act in a few relatively low budget films that were surprisingly good--much better than you'd expect. Part of this was due to Von Stroheim's acting, but it also was fortunate that he was paired with a young but very talented director (Anthony Mann). Because of his success with films like THE GREAT FLAMARION, Mann went on to direct many wonderful films and Von Stroheim had a mild resurgence in his prospects.The film begins with a murder at a theater in Mexico. A short time later, a badly wounded Von Stroheim is discovered by the lone person still in the theater and Von Stroheim tells his story about why he committed the murder. Since you know that the murder occurred, there isn't a lot of suspense about the whole thing, but the film did a wonderful job of making the viewer actually care about him and understand why he felt compelled to kill this particular woman. The sweet and lovely Connie, you learn, is one horrible lady and her character is exceptionally interesting and gritty--sort of like an evil Noir femme fatale. She is so compelling to watch that this helps to elevate the film well above the ordinary.Overall, a very entertaining film that nearly earns an 8. Fascinating character studies and a great script help make this one a keeper.

Anthony Mann was the right choice for bringing this adaptation of a Vicky Baum's story to the screen. Mr. Mann was an innovator whose presence on any movie heralded wonderful things. He doesn't disappoint in this story of love, betrayal and murder that is set among the vaudeville circuit of those years.We are introduced to the Great Flamirion, a man who is a sharp shooter, as he performs his act with the assistance of the Wallaces, a couple that move around the stage, as he shoots at different objects Connie and Al are holding. Flamirion is a relic of that circuit; he is a man of a certain age who has sworn off women from his life. Connie, the scheming half of the Wallaces, has another thing in mind.Connie insinuates herself to Flamirion because she can't take anymore of Al's drunkenness. Flamirion falls for this beautiful woman with a passion he didn't know he had in him. The end result is that Connie wants to get rid of her husband with the assistance of Flamarion. In the meantime, Connie falls in love with a younger man, Tony, who is part of a cycling act. When all of Connie's plans are executed, she disappears because as she tells Flamarion, they must lay low for a while. She decides to go home to Minnesota, but that's only an excuse to leave with Tony on a tour South of the border, where she is sure the old man will not find her. But as fate would have it, Flamirion finds her.Erich Von Stroheim, a distinguished director himself, plays Flamarion with panache. He captures the turmoil Flamarion feels when he is abandoned by the scheming Connie, in a great performance. Mary Beth Hughes is perfect as Connie. Dan Duryea plays the drunk Al Wallace with relish. Lester Allen appears as Tony.The film is enhanced by the wonderful camera work by James Brown, whose black and white photography reflects the rich life of the theater. Alexander Lazlo's musical score matches the action. Ultimately, the film works because the way Anthony Mann sets the action in so many interesting angles that is hard to take one's eyes for fear of missing something from what he put in the film.