**Spoilers coming**
Laura is a curious film. I always think of it as the male gaze on steroids, as we know so little of the heroine apart from the versions we get from the men who surround her: the portrait artist, the boyfriend, the best friend and the cop. All are obsessed with her, and all want their version of the murdered heroine to supersede the others.’
That’s why I chose the film for A Haunting Blogathon: In the Afterlife, hosted by the Classic Movie Blog Association. Crime writer James Ellroy once said something about Laura being the ultimate film for cops, and I think he’s right: the victim you only learn of from diaries, from photos, from others’ words. You never quite know who she was.
Surely, it would be easy for those driven to solve a homicide (especially one that remains out of reach) to become possessive about what they know and haunted by what they don’t. (Ellroy, whose mother was murdered, explores his own haunting in My Dark Places, a fascinating read, as is the book that inspired him: Joseph Wambaugh’s true-crime masterpiece, The Onion Field.)
It’s not hard to imagine becoming enamored with and fascinated by a victim who looks like Gene Tierney. In this particular story, however, the hauntings turn from reasonable to pathological.
What I love about the film is that the versions of Laura these men (and one woman) tell don’t quite add up. Her housekeeper, Bessie (Dorothy Adams), describes Laura as the sweetest lady on earth, and certainly Gene Tierney’s perfect face and that sentimental theme song seem to confirm those impressions.
But would such an angel be best friends with Waldo Lydecker, enjoying his poisonous remarks about her admirer and fellow party guests, as we see her do (in his version of her story, of course)?
Is she really a woman who, as fiancé Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price) claims, will indulge any visitor, day or night? He has treated his bride-to-be like a doormat. Since he wants to continue to do so, this tenderhearted version of Laura is convenient for him. But Laura does, in fact, dump him, and despite occasional remarks seems little affected by the poor woman (cheater or not) who got killed in her doorway. Not exactly the heart-on-her-sleeve, always-forgiving softie he takes her for.
Of course, Lydecker isn’t wrong in accusing Det. Lt. Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews), Laura’s most recent admirer, of being a creep. McPherson wants to buy a portrait of her when she’s dead and becomes instantly possessive of her after she returns to life.
Who instantly hits on a stranger (worse than that, assumes she’s already his) while she’s still in shock?
Even if she is vulnerable enough to think she’s in love too, it would be wise and kind to wait–I dunno–48 hours? He also chooses for the moment of his wooing a party during which the following things are happening to his new love:
- Her fiancĂ© has basically just said to her, “Yeah, I know you killed my lover, and that’s cool,” after inviting said lover into Laura’s home and into her clothes during the latter’s wedding week.
- Someone has just been murdered in Laura’s home, and this cop/admirer has invited people over to it for a gathering before she’d had time to sage it, obsessively clean it, or call a real estate agent to put it on the market.
- Her aunt, Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson), has confessed–casually, I might add–that she’s toyed with murdering Laura herself.
- And oh yeah, our heroine is still in grave danger from the best friend who tried to off her.
Our infatuated cop follows up this uproariously fun party by pretending he’s arresting her, ruining her reputation in front of her friends, because he can’t control his feelings without taking her into the police station. Ummm, what?
McPherson is right that Laura has surrounded herself by “dopes”–if by dopes he means a heartless group of friends and lovers, with some sociopathy in the mix. He’s just wrong not to include himself in the description. Andrews is quite handsome and feigns calm (with his trusty toy), so it’s easy to think of this detective as the hero in the beginning, but that impression soon wanes.
Right after returning home and shocking Bessie, Laura says gently, “I’m not a ghost, really,” and then jokes, “Have you ever heard a ghost ask for eggs?” But her claims ring hollow. Though she’s physically in the room, I would argue Laura still is a ghost through no fault of her own. Real/imagined impressions of her haunt her admirers and herself.
Actual men are also looming in her life, refusing to let her be who she wants to be, love whom she wants to love, or take five minutes to recover from life-altering trauma. And then there’s the method her best friend chose to kill her with: buckshot (interesting that Waldo doesn’t even reconsider that method during his second attempt). It’s not bad enough he wants to kill her. He wants to obliterate her.
If I were Laura’s true friend (or her therapist), I’d say, “Hey, honey. It time to hightail it out of town. A transfer overseas would be ideal. Also, you may want to keep that phone number unlisted.”
For more on the haunters and haunted, visit my peers’ excellent posts by going here: A Haunting Blogathon: In the Afterlife.
nitrateglow
You just made me want to rewatch this. I recall being underwhelmed by it, but I think I was too young to pick up all the nuances you describe here. Great post!
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thank you! It’s funny how different it looks on viewings over time.
Silver Screenings
Ha! I love how you concluded this, by urging Laura to get outta Dodge.
Like the previous commenter, I was underwhelmed by this film, but you’ve persuaded me to give it another go. I especially liked your insight: “I would argue Laura still is a ghost through no fault of her own. Real/imagined impressions of her haunt her admirers and herself.” Great stuff!
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thank you! She’s so much more interesting (as a character) than all these onlookers make her out to be.
sweetlycandy1100cbe15d
Can you believe I have’t seen this yet? I love Gene Tierney and her films-I need to find this and watch is asap. And thank you for the spoilers warning lol -A Vintage Nerd xox
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Oh yes, you need to watch it. Whether you like it or not, it’s interesting, and she’s great in it.
flickchick1953
I adore this film because all of the characters are so beautifully weird – and beautiful to look at. Laura Hunt is a prize dope and she surrounds herself with a few – and a few who personify the phrase “with friends like these, who needs enemies.” I do like Laura’s wardrobe and her swanky 40s style apartment. And Dana Andrew’s look as Clifton Webb emerges from his tub is priceless.
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
LOL. The clothes are gorgeous, as are the people. I’d forgotten that moment, but you’re right. The Waldo character makes Dana Andrews uncomfortable throughout. It’s clear that his character has no experience dealing with a man whose sexuality is different than his own, and Waldo enjoys messing with his mind.
kelleepratt
I love how you call out these characters, and your observation of the “male gaze on steroids” is spot on. Terrific write-up! Thanks so much for adding your insights for the blogathon!
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thank you! It’s SUCH an odd film. I’ve been enjoying it.
Toni R.
I enjoyed “seeing” the movie again through your writing as you have us look at it through the gaze of the men in Laura’s life. She could certainly do better than all of them.
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thanks! She certainly could.
The Classic Movie Muse
First of all, your title is brilliant! I love how Laura keeps all of guessing as to who she really is. It makes the film endlessly watchable.
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thanks! It’s true. You look at her in different ways on every viewing.
shadowsandsatin
Superb stuff, Leah! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this post. (Well, I guess I could… LOL) I’ve seen Laura numerous times — including just last night on TCM — and never thought about the points you raised. Your writing was first-rate, as always, but I really loved that you made me look at this old favorite with a fresh take. First-rate!
Karen
leah@carygrantwonteatyou.com
Thank you so much, Karen! That means a lot to me:)