House of Strangers (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'House of Strangers' (stylishly directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz & adapted by Philip Yordan) tells a melodramatic revenge story of an Italian-American banker family, their falling out, & the unfortunate hatred that fills them. Edward G. Robinson stars as Gino Monetti, patriarch of said Italian family, who emigrated from Italy long ago, and rose from poverty to own a "successful" Bank via hard work. Gino is frequented by people of the neighborhood; all asking for $$ favors as if he were like a Don Corleone (in fact, this film is viewed as a sort of prequel to the famous Godfather films of the '70s).
Gino's lawyer son Max (Richard Conte) is his favorite. But Gino treats his other sons as lowly inferiors. Joe (Luther Adler) is the oldest & is disappointed that his father pays him such a low wage as a bank teller that he can't afford to raise a family in his 2-room apartment ("Get back to your cage", Gino barks at Joe). Pietro (Paul Valentine) is an amateur boxer who is hired as a security guard at the bank, resents being ordered around like a slave, & is constantly called a "dumb-head" by his dad. And the youngest son Tony (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) is also verbally abused (about not having any conviction) & has a low position in said bank.
Drama ensues after the ruthless Gino engages in several illegal activities & is arrested as a result. Though his implacable sons have always been aware of their father's questionable business practices, they refuse to help him stay out of jail; all except Max, who remains loyal to his father. Max's 3 brothers indirectly send their father to an early grave and they conspire to have Max thrown into prison. Everything culminates in a vengeful, near-tragic climax involving treacherous sons, heartbroken mothers, & devastated girlfriends (including a classy San Francisco socialite played by Susan Hayward).
This film is notable for its 'grays' (everyone is good & bad to some degree). Gino sees himself as a benefactor, but we gradually learn of his criminal ways. He tries to instill a work ethic in his 4 sons, but then belittles 3 of them in both public and in private. Max is smart, loyal, & loving to his father, but he also has blinders on to some of his father's ways; and he enters into an adulterous relationship with the Susan Hayward character. Director Mankiewicz & scripter Yordan impart sophisticated dialogue for us to hear. The characters say things that sound both intelligent & colloquial; particularly the fun conversations btwn. Conte & Hayward.
'House of Strangers' was shot by cinematographer Milton R. Krasner in a nice black-&-white film noir style. The production design (elegant mansion) is stellar. The ensemble cast, including Edward G/ Robinson (electric, humorous, loathsome), Conte (relatable), Adler (dangerous), Valentine, Zimbalist Jr., Susan Hayward (cunning & stunning), Debra Paget, Hope Emerson & Esther Minciotti (as the family's shattered matriarch) are all superb. You know, the more I think about it, not only does this fascinating film remind me of The Godfather, but it also reminds me of Shakespeare's family drama, King Lear; with sons instead of daughters. With terrific performances, a shrewd script, biting melodrama, and interesting visuals, this hard-boiled tale of greed & power has become one of my favorite films of 1949.
Gino's lawyer son Max (Richard Conte) is his favorite. But Gino treats his other sons as lowly inferiors. Joe (Luther Adler) is the oldest & is disappointed that his father pays him such a low wage as a bank teller that he can't afford to raise a family in his 2-room apartment ("Get back to your cage", Gino barks at Joe). Pietro (Paul Valentine) is an amateur boxer who is hired as a security guard at the bank, resents being ordered around like a slave, & is constantly called a "dumb-head" by his dad. And the youngest son Tony (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) is also verbally abused (about not having any conviction) & has a low position in said bank.
Drama ensues after the ruthless Gino engages in several illegal activities & is arrested as a result. Though his implacable sons have always been aware of their father's questionable business practices, they refuse to help him stay out of jail; all except Max, who remains loyal to his father. Max's 3 brothers indirectly send their father to an early grave and they conspire to have Max thrown into prison. Everything culminates in a vengeful, near-tragic climax involving treacherous sons, heartbroken mothers, & devastated girlfriends (including a classy San Francisco socialite played by Susan Hayward).
This film is notable for its 'grays' (everyone is good & bad to some degree). Gino sees himself as a benefactor, but we gradually learn of his criminal ways. He tries to instill a work ethic in his 4 sons, but then belittles 3 of them in both public and in private. Max is smart, loyal, & loving to his father, but he also has blinders on to some of his father's ways; and he enters into an adulterous relationship with the Susan Hayward character. Director Mankiewicz & scripter Yordan impart sophisticated dialogue for us to hear. The characters say things that sound both intelligent & colloquial; particularly the fun conversations btwn. Conte & Hayward.
'House of Strangers' was shot by cinematographer Milton R. Krasner in a nice black-&-white film noir style. The production design (elegant mansion) is stellar. The ensemble cast, including Edward G/ Robinson (electric, humorous, loathsome), Conte (relatable), Adler (dangerous), Valentine, Zimbalist Jr., Susan Hayward (cunning & stunning), Debra Paget, Hope Emerson & Esther Minciotti (as the family's shattered matriarch) are all superb. You know, the more I think about it, not only does this fascinating film remind me of The Godfather, but it also reminds me of Shakespeare's family drama, King Lear; with sons instead of daughters. With terrific performances, a shrewd script, biting melodrama, and interesting visuals, this hard-boiled tale of greed & power has become one of my favorite films of 1949.