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Human Desire (1954)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
5 August 1954 (USA)
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Tagline:
She was born to be bad...to be kissed...to make trouble!
Plot:
Engineer Jeff, returning from Korea, falls in Love with his co-worker Carl's wife Vicky, who both commited a murder...
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Who Wants More Noir? Columbia's B-Movies Hit The Roxie
(From JustPressPlay. 17 September 2009, 12:56 PM, PDT)
Oscar Nominee Foch Dies After Falling Ill At University
(From WENN. 7 December 2008, 5:39 PM, PST)
(From JustPressPlay. 17 September 2009, 12:56 PM, PDT)
Oscar Nominee Foch Dies After Falling Ill At University
(From WENN. 7 December 2008, 5:39 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Slightly disappointing
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Cast
(Complete credited cast)| Glenn Ford | ... | Jeff Warren | |
| Gloria Grahame | ... | Vicki Buckley | |
| Broderick Crawford | ... | Carl Buckley | |
| Edgar Buchanan | ... | Alec Simmons | |
| Kathleen Case | ... | Ellen Simmons | |
| Peggy Maley | ... | Jean | |
| Diane DeLaire | ... | Vera Simmons | |
| Grandon Rhodes | ... | John Owens |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Human Beast (USA) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
UK:X (1954) |
West Germany:16 (f) |
Finland:K-16 |
Spain:13 |
USA:Approved (PCA #16878, Adult Audience) |
Sweden:15 |
Argentina:13
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Fritz Lang had desperately wanted Peter Lorre to play Jeff Warren, but Lang had treated Lorre so abusively during the making of M (1931) that the actor refused.
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Quotes:
Ellen Simmons:
What would you men do if there were no women around to sew your buttons on ?
Alec Simmons: Without women we wouldn't need any buttons !
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Alec Simmons: Without women we wouldn't need any buttons !
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Movie Connections:
Version of La bête humaine (1938)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (24 total)
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Human Desire (1954)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Showing on Film4 UK | janig22 |
| Gloria Grahame | agnelin |
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Despite Lang's signature, I must admit I have been a bit let down. I say "a bit" because "Human Desire" is not a bad film in itself. Simply, it somewhat pales beside its admirable model, Jean Renoir's "La Bête humaine".
Here are a few shortcomings ( which will appear so only if we have seen the two versions ) : -To begin with, why this happy end, at least concerning Warren ( Lantier's American counterpart) ? It is downright unfaithful both to Zola's naturalism and Renoir's "poetic determinism". - More in keeping with the source material it was a commendable idea to make Warren a Korea War veteran ( war CAN unsettle individuals) but the character basically remains an all-American good guy erring a little.And if to err is "human" then it doesn't at all make the character a "human beast". - Glenn Ford's interpretation is undistiguished compared to Jean Gabin's formidable presence in the former film. - Something equally amazing is choosing usually picturesque Edgar Buchanan to replace Carette and give him nothing to do ! No one can forget Carette's gift of the gab and drawling accent hiding a deep feeling of helpless sympathy. Whoever will remember Edgar Buchanan in this dull part ? [ sigh of helpless sympathy ! ]
There are good points, however, in this film, notably the convincing portrayal of the "cursed couple" by always reliable Gloria Grahame and Broderick Crawford as well as the opening sequences of tracks,switches, metallic bridges... with no other sounds than the clanking of wheels ,conjuring up ( this time like in Renoir's "Human Beast" )the inexorable progress of fate.
On the whole I didn't really dislike "Human Desire" but I found it less atmospheric, more matter of fact than the original. In other words, I wish I hadn't seen "La Bête humaine"...yet.