Customer Reviews

No Orchids for Miss Blandish (B&W Amar) [Import]

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If anything, this film is an archetype of how the mores and values of our society have changed since the late '40s. At the time this film ran into much trouble with both the English and American censors due to its violence, an attempted rape scene, and provocative sexuality. By today's standards this film would probably be PG, since the violence comes across as fake due to the pop gun sound of the firing guns and the sexuality is all suggestive. The film is rather unusual for the time in how it portrays women as being just as promiscuous as the men. However, one cannot help thinking how interesting it would be if Hollywood ever took on this story with a major movie star.

The film is a film noir that portrays American gangsters in New York City circa the 1930's. Yet, this film was made in England with mainly British actors, and this is a major weakness in the film. The American accents that the British actors use often sound fake and generic. However, the violence in the story is ruthless and the kissing scenes between Linden Travers and Jack LaRue have to some of the longest ever done on screen at the time.

This film was written and directed by St. John Legh Clowes, which sounds like an alias if there ever was one. Sadly, he died shortly after completing this film, and leaves this film as the only major film project he ever did. The script and direction is actually quite good in this film. What was remarkable about this film noir is the complexity of the story, which though sometimes far fetched, especially in regard to the gun toting journalist, but it still manages to offer the viewer a myriad of film noir themes all packed into one movie. Particularly interesting is the psychological transference which occurs between the kidnapped victim and the gangster that is holding her, which actually becomes a sexual obsession on her part for the gangster, played to good effect by Jack LaRue. Also, the plot development has certain bizarre twists of fate reminiscent of Pulp Fiction. Finally, the film packs into the story almost every stereotype of American gangster films of the 1930's, including the use of dice in the same way that George Raft used flipping a coin in Scarface (1932).

As a film noir fan, I highly enjoyed watching the film, though admittedly this is not one of the best film noirs one is ever going to see. Its enjoyment and interest lies mainly in its standing in British film noir of the 1940's and for one of the most compelling film noir scripts I have ever come across, and as a consequence the film is lots of fun on that level.

Too many rave about this so-called Film Noir. I only saw bad acting, bad script and all filmed like a stage play. These actors, if actor is the right word, are trying way too hard too sound american and all they achieve is sounding like a 1930's gangster film. It's as if Great Britain had not seen an american film since then. Too bad, I like Linden Travers but the lines they give her are ludicrous.
Live and learn.

Tudor-Alliance presents "NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH" (1948) (104 min/B&W (Dolby digitally remastered) --- This film contains much appreciated noir and good acting in Glorious Black & White --- Jack La Rue plays Slim Grisson with just the right balance of toughness and elegance, while Walter Crisham, MacDonald Parke and Lilli Molnar carve out their memorable portrayals as the other main baddies --- Linda Travers rounds off the cast in a sexy and very appealing squeaky-clean heroine who gradually learns that she likes it rough --- One of most passionate kissing scenes in an early film era --- As the film progresses the actors engage in their frequent snarling exchanges, and then the violent action kicks into gear, this takes the audience on a thrilling roller coaster ride -- loving every minute of it --- If you thought old British films from the 1940s were prim and proper -- better guess again, this film has sex and violence galore.

Under the production staff of:
St. John Legh Clowes [Director, Producer & Screenwriter]
James Hadley Chase [Novel] novel
Oswald Mitchell [Associate Producer]
George Minter [Executive Producer]
George Melachrino [Original Score]
Gerald Gibbs [Cinematographer]
Manuel del Campo [Film Editor]

BIOS:
1. Jack La Rue
Date of Birth: 3 May 1902 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 11 January 1984 - Santa Monica, California

2. Hugh McDermott
Date of Birth: 20 March 1906 - Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Date of Death: 29 January 1972 -London, England, UK

3. Linden Travers
Date of Birth: 27 May 1913 - Houghton-le-Spring, Durham, England, UK
Date of Death: 23 October 2001 - Cornwall, England, UK

4. Walter Crisham
Date of Birth: 29 January 1906 - Worcester, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 27 October 1985 - Granada Hills, California

5. MacDonald Parke
Date of Birth: 30 July 1891 - Canada
Date of Death: 17 July 1960 - London, England, UK

6. Lilli Molnar
Date of Birth: Not Shown
Date of Death: 20 October 1950 - Unknown

7. St. John Legh Clowes [Director]
Date of Birth: 1907
Date of Death: 1948, UK

the cast includes:
Jack La Rue ... Slim Grisson
Hugh McDermott ... Dave Fenner
Linden Travers ... Miss Blandish
Walter Crisham ... Eddie Schultz
MacDonald Parke ... Doc (as Macdonald Parke)
Danny Green ... Flyn
Lilli Molnar ... Ma Grisson (as Lilly Molnar)

SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
1. Video Interview with Richard Gordon and Richard Nielson by Joel Blumberg
2. Commentary with Richard Gordon, Richard Nielson and Tom Weaver
3. British Trailer
4. American Trailer
5. Photo Gallery

Well acted and good direction makes this a must view --- All in all, good transfers and a lot of content for the money --- Nice release from the VCI people --- A great film to add to your every growing collection.

Total Time: 104 min on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment #8568 ~ (5/25/2010)