While on my Christmas/NY break, my Mum introduced me to director Douglas Sirk, who made a name for himself in the 50's with women's melodrama's. We watched All That Heaven Allows and Magnificent Obsession and I adored both of them. The Julianne Moore film Far From Heaven is actually a homage to All That Heaven Allows.
They are both pure soap opera, but soap opera done very very well. They feature fine performances from Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman, emotional story-lines, stunning art direction and of course great 50's costumes. Oh for the days when women and men took such care with their clothes (although all those undergarments would have been pretty time-consuming). Those gorgeous dresses and the required girdles meant people weren't assaulted by muffin tops day in and out. Lycra and low rise denim have a lot to answer for ...
Anyway, if you get a chance to check them out, watch for Jane Wyman's red dress in the early cocktail party scene in All That Heaven Allows and her cute dress in the beach scene in Magnificent Obsession. They were my favourites.
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