FLAMINGO ROAD

US, 1949, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Joan Crawford, David Brian, Sidney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Gladys George, Virginia Huston, Fred Clark.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.

Flamingo Road is directed by Michael Curtiz who directed Joan Crawford in her Oscar-winning role in Mildred Pierce. He directs her here as a tough heroine in a man's political world. The world is that of corrupt politics in the United States, '40s style (like that of All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren filmed at the same time).

Joan Crawford does this type of role excellently and is always enjoyable. Zachary Scott is the weak politician, David Brian the tough but good-natured politician. Her main foe is Sidney Greenstreet as the corrupt sheriff. They confront each other highly melodramatically.

The film tells its story well, is highly melodramatic (and even absurd), the stuff of high-class soap opera ? but always perennially enjoyable when told as entertainingly as this.

1. The film as a Joan Crawford vehicle? Audience enjoyment of her tough heroines? Thriller, story of high society and the wrong side of the tracks, political corruption? Soap opera, well done, 1940s style?

2. Warner Bros. production values: black and white photography, the American town? Musical score? Strong cast?

3. Flamingo Road as a symbol of high society, the right side of the tracks, the wealthy homes and people of American society and politics? A goal for people from the wrong side of the tracks?

4. The film as the story of Lane Bellamy? Her performance in the carnival, the refusal to leave town, in the tent, the initial encounter with Field, the warmth of the friendship, his getting her a job, her falling in love with him, her knowing that it was a fated love? His breaking with her? The confrontation with the sheriff? His getting her sacked? Going to the editor? The animosity with Titus? Her getting a job in Lute Mae's? Her helping Dan Reynolds? The rapport between the two? Her marrying him? Living in style? The restaurant encounter with Field and his wife? With Titus? The house on Flamingo Road ? and the prospect of happiness and success? Her making the tool equipment and workshop for Dan? The confrontation with Titus and his hold over the politicians? The clash with Dan? The final confrontation with Field and his killing himself in the home? The reactions of the people in the town? The help of the editor? The confrontation with Titus at Lute Mae's, the struggle and his death? Her being imprisoned, Dan coming to her help? Her being vindicated? Joan Crawford's presence, strength, charm? The woman who confronts all odds, builds herself up, builds herself up, achieves her ambitions, conquers her enemies?

5. The contrast between Field and Dan? Field as the son of a judge, wealthy, war service? His being held by Titus? Commanded by him? The encounter with Lane, the warmth of the friendship, meals together, helping her with the job? The lyrical sequence by the lake? The visit to Dan Reynolds and his men, his being the candidate for Senator? His proposal to Annabel, marrying her? His beginning to drink, his not being able to do much in the Senate, Titus's controlling him? His wanting to break out? Reaction to Lane's marriage? His not wanting to go along with the framing of Dan Reynolds? His being dropped by Titus? Drinking, talking with Lane, shooting himself? Dan as the political boss, tough, making and breaking politicians, confrontation with Titus, the friendship with Lane, marriage, prosperity, her humanising him, his seeing through the corruption and deals, his work, coming to her help? A future?

6. Sidney Greenstreet's sinister performance as the sheriff - his appearance, reference to himself as the fat man, his eyes and way of speaking, his sitting on the porch of Palmer house? His hold over Bub ? his name for Field? His controlling him? Animosity towards Lane? His contacts in the town and knowing what was going on? Getting Lane sacked? The confrontation at Lute Mae's? His unforgiving nature? His metaphors for the confrontation of the two and her matching him with the elephant and its memory? Friendship with Dan Reynolds and his boys? His aim to control Senator and Governor? The falling out with Dan? The surprise of Lane's marriage? His disappointment with Field? His wanting to control Dan Reynolds' foreman, success? The visit to the power brokers exposing them? The confrontation with Lane after Field's death, his stirring up the crowds in the town, the struggle and his death?

7. Lute Mae and her roadhouse, the girls, her hosting the power brokers, clash with Titus, discussions with Lane and employing her? The girls at her place? Sarah the maid?

8. The background of high society ? Annabel and her family, the arranged marriage, wealth and ambitions, disillusionment? The power men and their corrupt deals and contracts, fickle loyalties? State politics and corruption?

9. Audience interest in portraits of society, political corruption and exposure? The optimism of the film that something could be done?