Arnessa and I have been meaning to watch the 1946 Razor's Edge virtually together, oh, since October, I think. And we finally did this past weekend. We were going to just discuss it in email or at Pemberley, but now we find that it is a favorite of Cassan dra's and Amy2 likes it a lot too. So we might as well discuss it here in case other unknown fans come out of the woodwork. Oh, and I forgot Hilary, but she was only able to get the Bill Murray version.

I am by no means a W. Somerset Maugham expert but I have read a biography so here are a few random details I find relevant and you might find helpful. He was born in France and felt equally comfortable in England or France. This may account for the number of stories that take place partly in France -- usually Paris. Moon & Sixpence (my fave novel; so much so I almost hope it never becomes a film ), The Alchemist (yuck, creepy), Of Human Bondage (only a little art dabbling in Paris). He was gay; his main lover, a younger guy, lived in Chicago, accounting for the Bradley's home town in Razor's Edge. The Razor's Edge was one of his more mature novels and the one in which he felt most comfortable making a pretty swishy charac ter in Elliot Templeton. Didn't Clifton Webb do it exactly right? He does not seem to like women much. For Sophie, he has some sympathy, it's clear, but then again what does that say, since she is so depraved? I don't like how he seems to think women ike brutes. But I like Maugham a lot anyway. He wrote the first draft of the screenplay for The Razor's Edge. Hollywood did not like it because it was "just a bunch of people standing around talking." Maugham did not like all the dancing in the rewrite.

Before we decided to carry on the discussion here, Arnessa mailed me her first reaction. She said it was okay to share it here: _____________________________ Just watched The Razor's Edge last night. I went to the drawing room after to see if I could catch you. But alas, you had just gone. What a great, great movie! I remember reading the book some time ago. But I don't think I has as strong a reaction to some of the characters. In fact, I barely even remembered the plot. I was a little doubtful when the film began, Larry Darrell seemed almost too striking. But then the movie has such a powerful message that falls on the main character's shoulders. The other characters are just window dressing. Still, I loved every bit of the acting. Anne Baxter as Sofie, wow! You didn't expect her to be so convincing as the drunken slut when you saw her in the beginning as the good wife. In short, I loved it. Shall we talk more about it soon? Maybe start a small topic at Spring? I don't visit Spring that often I confess, but more often than my postings there might suggest. It's a bit overwhelming for me sometimes. I want to read everything that's going on, then by the time I get ready to post I've forgotten what I wanted to say or the darn thing eats my work. And I have to start all over. Anyway, what I mean to say is that despite all that, a Razor's Edge topic would be good. Geez, I'm long-winded today.

It is wonderful knowing I'm not the only admirer of the Razor's Edge. Hve any of you seen the 1934 version of Of Human Bondage, with Bette Davis and Leslie Howard? It's nowhere near as good of an adaptation as TRE, but it's well worth a trip to the video store, just to see Davis' brillant spin on Mildred. The "you bored me stiff, i only let you kiss me, beacuse you begged me" still amazes me!

re OHB Movies earlier than GWTW I have a problem with. Call me dumb or just ignorant for not liking the silents and those made a little later. Sorry I just don't! But you are right, Cass, Davis's indifference is just what I think Maugham had in mind, even if her accent is not perfect. Everytime she says "I don't mind," I want to scream at him, "Drop her! You idiot. She doesn't care a bit about you."

What do you think of Isabel: calculating, money-grubbing witch or misunderstood heroine? Even in the book, Maugham, the narrator, is a trifle ambivalent about her, admiring her passionate, earthy nature and beautiful legs. I particularly like Isabel's retort to Maugham's how did you get such shapely legs: An iron will. Personally, though, I think she's a spoiled child, desiring only that which she can't possess, meaning of course Larry. She's a bit of the Scarlet O'Hara school-she could never understand L rry's spirituality.

Agreed, Cassandra. I admire her chic but despise her heart.

I never knew how to read Isabel. She seemed to understand Larry's need to go away, and she couldn't bring herself to trap him into a marriage, but she couldn't bring herself to live on a modest income either. She's a lot like Mary Crawford, I think, wanting to eat her cake and have it too. I adore Mary. I see her tragic side. So I guess I have to like Isabel too, even though I could never be like her. I saw Of Human Bondage on video, and I agree with you both Cassandra and Amy, the acting was so stilted back then. Still, Davis is captivating. You can see why she was going to be a star. She was doing so much more than the other actors.

Arnessa-great, pereceptive likage of Isabel and Arnessa!!! You both love and despise her.I completely agree about Bette Davis, too. She jumps out of the screen in OHB. The movie is memorable for her performance alone, showcasing her at the earliest stages of her talent. My favorite Davis Movie-Now, Voyager(ugly duckling turns into a Swan, complete with wonderful Max Steiner music) or All About Eve(with Anne Baxter, our tortured Sophie, no less). Great actresses!!! With respect to TRE, what are your favori e scenes? Amy and I agreed there were too many. But, if pushed-the Rue de Lappe scene with the Mademoiselle refrain or Sophie's theme music. That scene/music haunts me, as well as the sound of Sophie's voice when she replies-my poetry-it was good. Completely heartbreaking.

Arnessa-great, pereceptive likage of Isabel and Mary!!! You both love and despise her.I completely agree about Bette Davis, too. She jumps out of the screen in OHB. The movie is memorable for her performance alone, showcasing her at the earliest stages of her talent. My favorite Davis Movie-Now, Voyager(ugly duckling turns into a Swan, complete with wonderful Max Steiner music) or All About Eve(with Anne Baxter, our tortured Sophie, no less). Great actresses!!! With respect to TRE, what are your favorite cenes? Amy and I agreed there were too many. But, if pushed-the Rue de Lappe scene with the Mademoiselle refrain or Sophie's theme music. That scene/music haunts me, as well as the sound of Sophie's voice when she replies-my poetry-it was good. Completely heartbreaking.

Amy and I agreed there were too many. But, if pushed-the Rue de Lappe scene with the Mademoiselle refrain or Sophie's theme music. __ Agreed. Makes you change your mind all around about accordian music. I also love the enlightenment in India. And that music.

Amy-I loved the scenes in India and the accompaning music too! On another note, whom do you most admire/like in TRE and with whom do most identify? Personally-I love Larry. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all know ourselves and be so at peace as Larry? I wouldn't say I identify with Sophie, but she's the character who affects me the most. Like Larry says in the movie-she was the most normal person he ever knew-she was not unbalanced. She felt things too deeply.

I envy Larry. Anybody who has read Middlemarch see a resemblance between Dorothea and Larry? The authors each speak of their creations as people who have made little big differences in the world.

Oh, yes. Sophie just breaks my heart. I guess I most identify with her. I might not actually go to pieces like that after a tragic loss, but I can easily imagine it and I probably would want to tell life to go to hell if that had happened to me. I love at rue de Lappe when Sophie says her poetry was good. I could cry. Favorite scene is in the carriage one the way from rue de Lappe when Larry shuts up Isabel. I envy Larry a bit, too, Amy. I mean, if I had a small annual income I could depend on, why not travel the world and search for answers to unanswerable questions? He used his time and money better than most. The leisure to think! Imagine it! I see the resemblance between him and Dorothea as well. Problem is, I never really liked Dorothea much. She was always so busy looking for the grand great good that she could never see the little good around her until the very end. Larry doesn't fall into that trap. H takes the time he needs for himself, yet comes back and tries to use his gifts to help the people who are hurting right around him.

He takes the time he needs for himself, yet comes back and tries to use his gifts to help the people who are hurting right around him. __ Yes, that's a real saint. A mature good soul.

I definitely see the connection between Dorothea and Larry, although I do prefer Larry-He really knows who he is and what he needs. A model for us all. Another fav scene that I remember: The heartbreaking and compelling scene at Sophie's dingy apartment: the pictures of her daughter and husband, and the books of poetry. And, of course Isabel's dramatic and graceful walk down the stairs. Gene Tierney has always been a personal favorite of mine. Has anyone seen her in the 1944 classic whodunit Laura, once again with Clifton Webb?(was there ever a better person to play the fastidious Uncle Elliot)

I can't imagine a better Uncle Elliot. Hmmm... making more JA connections. Elliot Templeton reminds me a great deal of Sir Walter Eliot! Coincidence? I think not.

Maugham taking a page from JA? Now that is something to think about. I like Gene Tierney a lot. She allegedly had an affair with Jack Kennedy. (I am not making any connection there)

] Favorite scene is in the carriage one the way from rue de Lappe when Larry shuts up Isabel. ___ Almost a Darcy and CAroline moe moment, isn't it?

Almost a Darcy and Caroline model. YES! YES! These JA connections are eerie. And, I confess I had never thought about TRE that way before. I watched the movie again last night, and the more times I see, the more I hate Isabel. Most particularly, the scene where she leaves Sophie alone, the pictures of her own two daughters' prominently displayed. Completely heartless!

And Larry, though not knowing the specifics of her treachery, knows Isabel well enough to be sure she is as good as a murderer.