Director
Harry Horner
Writers
Steve Fisher (novel I Wake Up Screaming)
Dwight Taylor
Leo Townsend
Cast
Jeanne Crain ………. Jill Lynn
Jean Peters ………. Vicki Lynn
Elliott Reid ………. Steve Christopher
Richard Boone ………. Lt. Ed Cornell
Max Showalter ………. Larry Evans (as Casey Adams)
Alexander D’Arcy ………. Robin Ray (as Alex D’Arcy)
Carl Betz ………. Detective McDonald
Aaron Spelling ………. Harry Williams
20th Century Fox (Fox Film Noir)
DVD Release Date: August 29, 2006
Running Time: 85 minutes
Not rated.
Vicki is an interesting and entertaining, albeit derivative B-movie. Released in 1953, the film is a remake of the early Victor Mature /Betty Grable noir I Wake up Screaming, which itself was based upon a pulp novel by the same name. I Wake up Screaming only predates Vicki by 12 years; i.e. recent quick remakes such as Red Dragon are nothing new. The remake was momentarily justified its existence when it was announced that Vicki would be made in 3-D (!) but sadly, such plans were scrapped. It should also be noted that this film borrows heavily from the similarly titled classic, Laura, even going so far as to have Laura showing in a theater within the Vicki.
The world of Vicki consists of an obsessed detective, cruel cops, a dame to kill for the ends up dead, brooding creepy figures and thwarted sexuality. Now, pondering this thing and combining it with the films from which Vicki borrows, one might come to the conclusion that this film is a particularly heavy noir. Perhaps even “the noiriest noir that ever noired” if such is your manner of speech. At times, this seems to be the case, however the film seems also interspersed with a lightweight romantic comedy. Certain scenes are staged and lit quite conventionally, and most of the dialogue is delivered nonchalantly. Elliot Reid’s performance makes him comes off as the poor man’s Jimmy Stewart (which is actually more of a compliment than it sounds). This dichotomy is sometimes used quite effectively to contrast the film’s “day world” versus its “night world” but at other times what should be “noir heavy” scenes are shot too straight.
“Mrs. Howard Hughs” Jean Peters stars as Vicki, the waitress made into glamour girl by press agent/svengali Steve Christopher (Reed), who might also be romancing Vicki’s sister Jill (Jeanne Crain). Crumple-faced Richard Boone play Ed Cornell, the detective who has “never been wrong” and is a little too determined to pin the murder on Christopher. Fans of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” might recognize Max Showalter (A.K.A. Casey Adams of The Indestructible Man fame) as columnist Larry Evans. Alex D’arcy is mostly forgettable as Robin Ray. In a shocking twist of fate, a 30 year old Aaron Spelling steals the damned picture with an appropriately erratic and neurotic performance as switchboard operator Harry Williams. Yes, that Aaron Spelling , the late producer with over 200 credits, a house with over 100 rooms, and flat faced marginally talented daughter Tori.
Who’d have thunk it?
The film is competently put together by Harry Horner and there are some really beautiful shots withing the picture. The plot moves along at an even, comfortable pace and the story presents a decent little mystery. There are strange gaps in logic, and a lack of originality, but otherwise it is perfectly acceptable entertainment.
6.5/10
The DVD
Available Subtitles: English and Spanish.
Commentary by film historian Foster Hirsch : Hirsch does a competent job at commentary, but perhaps focuses too much on how the film comes up short when compared to I Wake up Screaming. Otherwise it is an interesting listen, especially for fans of the genre.
Poster art gallery and Behind-the-scenes gallery: We just get a handful of pictures here.
Interactive pressbook gallery: In theory, this is a really interesting idea. The viewer can flip through a pressbook for Vicki checking out various photos, articles, etc. In practice the thing works, but will probably only be of interest for film historians and hardcore fans.
Film noir trailers
NOTE:
I would also like to take this opportunity to note that the Fox Noir dvd series has some of the best clamshell inserts around. They are packed with information about the movies themselves and really outshine any of the extras within the DVD in terms of accesibility of said information.
| InsidePulse’s Ratings for Vicki | |
The Inside Pulse
Vicki is worth watching if you are a fan of Film Noir or Jean Peters, or the under-appreciated Jeane Crain. Or if you want to see Aaron Spelling as a creepy young man. All things considered, however, you’d probably be better off watching Laura or I Wake up Screaming instead.
