Gefangen (1949)

Gefangen: Directed by Max Ophüls. With James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Ryan, Frank Ferguson. An L.A. department store ambitious young model gets her wish of marrying a millionaire but she eventually discovers that rich life isn’t always a happy one.

“Not too much of a story going on here – Barbara Bel Geddes (Leonora) gets married to Robert Ryan (Smith Ohlrig) who doesnu0026#39;t really want to marry her. She feels trapped and decides to break away but Ryan is a rich, manipulative bully who wants his own way.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis film does not belong in the Film Noir category as is constantly being suggested – there are too many elements missing for it to be defined in this genre, most glaringly the lack of a u0026#39;femme fataleu0026#39; and the lack of any murder victim. However, Ophuls does direct in a Noirish manner, for example there is a claustrophobic feel to many scenes. His direction provides a depth to many shots and this cranks the interest of the film up a gear, as ultimately, there is not a lot of plot (another element missing that would normally define a Film Noir). This film is about power in relationships and goes down the obvious preachy road of money alone canu0026#39;t make you happy.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRobert Ryan is the standout in the cast and every line he delivers is top quality. His role is based on Howard Hughes, who allowed the performance to go ahead provided that the film leave out any obvious reference to Hughesu0026#39;s business dealings and to his appearance. Ryan gets the ridiculous name of u0026#39;Smith Ohlrigu0026#39; to depict a millionaire and Iu0026#39;m sure that it fooled nobody in itu0026#39;s disguise. James Mason as u0026#39;Dr Quinadau0026#39; is watchable and holds the interest as Ryanu0026#39;s rival in love for Barbara Bel Geddes. He gets, for me, the best line in the film when he says to Bel Geddes on recently meeting Ryan u0026quot;Iu0026#39;ve met that man for 3 minutes….and heu0026#39;s not normal…u0026quot; Itu0026#39;s funny because it could apply to so many people that I know – not me, of course.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHowever, there is something not quite right in the casting of Barbara Bel Geddes. She is slightly frumpy (Shelley Winters style) with a slightly whiny voice (Julie Harris style) and Iu0026#39;m afraid that she is just not believable as the object of desire for these two handsome men. No way. Aside from her appearance, sheu0026#39;s actually quite irritating in her meek and mild manner. Ingrid Bergman would have been perfect in this role as she not only plays a victim very well, has the looks/beauty to convince, but she could also convey a more dramatic turnaround in her attitude once she decides to get tough.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA final mention must go to the peculiar way of ending the film – a dead child is something to be celebrated? Wow. Overall, itu0026#39;s an OK film but itu0026#39;s nothing great – Robert Ryan saves it.”