Streaming Deborah Kerr – That Iconic Scene on a Hawaiian Beach
Above photo: Hlona Cove with the Hlona Blowhole in the background is also called Eternity Beach due to the famous love scene between Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity.
From Here to Eternity 1953 Based on the novel by James Jones. Directed by Fred Zinnemann. Eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. First Sergeant Milton Warden, fair, but rock hard, all-army (Burt Lancaster) falls in dangerous lust/love and has a tempestuous affair with unhappy commander’s wife Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr). The iconic image of the characters embracing on a beach may be familiar.
Stationed in Hawaii months before Pearl Harbor, the film follows five people showing so-called intra-army behavior as law unto itself and heightened relationships pushed to the brink by incipient war. Also with Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift and Donna Reed. It was alleged that Kerr and Lancaster had an affair during production. Powerful performances all around. Rent on Amazon Prime/ Netflix.
Black Narcissus 1947 Based on the novel by Rumer Godden. Written, produced and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. (Anything with Powell’s name on it is worth watching.) Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, Sabu, David Farrar, Jean Simmons. Academy Award Best Cinematography. “Black Narcissus is that rare thing, an erotic English film about the fantasies of nuns…” Film critic, David Thompson.
A mission of Anglican nuns run by Sister Clodagh (Kerr) is invited to set up a school and hospital in the Himalayas. Difficulty understanding the local population, environment, discipline, and faith plague the sisters. Local agent, Mr. Dean (David Farrar) unconsciously provokes competitive fantasies within the hearts of local outcast, Kanchi (Jean Simmons) and one of the nuns. A mental breakdown and accidental death seems to bring things to a head, but Sister Clodagh stoically holds on. Greta Garbo was considered for the lead. Solid character studies. Rent on Netflix.
The End of the Affair 1955 Based on Graham Greene’s novel. Directed by Edward Dmytryk. Writer Maurice Bendrix (Van Johnson) has a heated affair with Sarah Miles (Kerr), wife of acquaintance, civil servant, Henry Miles (Peter Cushing). When the lovers are caught in a tryst during London bombing, Maurice appears on the verge of death. Sarah makes a secret promise to God that if her love is saved, she’ll end the relationship. Maurice shows signs of life and she disappears without explanation.
Years later, the writer encounters Henry who opens up to him about suspecting Sarah of infidelity. The truth comes out in Sarah’s diaries. An unexpected choice is made. Compelling despite Johnson’s somewhat lighter weight performance. Kerr virtually inhabits the social conscience of a certain British class. Rent on Amazon Prime.
The End of the Affair 1999. Directed by Neil Jordan starring Julianne Moore, Ralph Fiennes, Stephen Rea. A worthy remake. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Tea and Sympathy 1956 Adapted from Robert Anderson’s stage play. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Tom Robinson Lee (John Kerr) doesn’t fit in the bully boy, athletic culture of his prep school. Though homosexuality is never mentioned on screen, it’s clear his genteel proclivities/tastes indicate the boy is gay. Tom is tortured by other boys, his macho father, and the school’s Coach Reynolds (Leif Erickson). Reynolds’ wife, Laura (Kerr), feels sorry for the student and begins a supportive relationship, developing deeper feelings than intended.
In order to prove masculinity, Tom goes to a local prostitute but “fails.” Informed, the administration wants to expel him. Tom attempts suicide. Laura comforts him. We see them exchange a single kiss which elicits her famous: “Years from now, when you talk about this, and you will, be kind.” It’s not clear from dialogue whether she knows he’s gay. Years later, an author, Tom goes back to visit, asking for Laura. He’s published a book about his time at the school. She’s moved west alone, leaving him a note. Deft and poignant. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Anna and The King of Siam 1946 Directed by John Cromwell. With Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison. Not the musical. Accused of whitewashed casting. Rent on Amazon Prime.
The King and I 1956 Based on the 1951 Rogers & Hammerstein musical, which, in turn, was based on Margaret Landon’s novel, Anna and The King of Siam, inspired by memoirs by Anna Leonowens, school teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner (in a role he played almost to the end of his life).
Widowed schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens arrives in 1862 Siam under contract to teach dozens of children fathered by the king. She and his majesty lock horns immediately, but over time, grow to respect and even love one another as she nudges his country towards progress the young prince will continue. A second love story is that of Tuptim (Rita Moreno), gifted to the king and her love, Lun Tha (Carlos Rivas). Remember, these were the days when “exotic” looking actors were asked to represent every nationality. Anna unsuccessfully tries to help Tuptim.
Look forward to the wonderful production of Uncle Tom’s Cabin as acted by the court. Kerr creates a strong, stubborn, feeling persona. Who can ever forget that waltz?! You may cry at the end. The musical was written for Gertrude Lawrence who was diagnosed with cancer during her Broadway run. Maureen O’Hara was cast in the film, but rejected by composer and lyricist. It was Brynner who pressed for Kerr. Marni Nixon dubbed vocals. The movie is banned in Thailand because of its representation of the king. Rent on Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Anna and the King 1999 Directed by Andy Tenant with Jodie Foster as Anna. Not one of the reliable actress’ sterling roles. But, if, …Rent on Amazon Prime.
Love Affair 1939 based on a story by Leo McCarey and Mildred Cram. Directed by McCarey. Great charm in its simplicity. Charles Boyer is a painter in this one. His grandmother, Janou, is played by Maria Ouspenskaya. Free with Amazon Prime.
An Affair to Remember 1957 Directed by Leo McCarey. The American Film Institute considers this the greatest romance of all time. It’s certainly high among them. Infamous playboy, Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant), flirts with former singer Terry McKay (Kerr) on a transatlantic crossing where, because of his notoriety, they’re plagued by gossip. (Repartee is swell.) He’s on his way home to socialite fiancé, Lois Clark (Neva Patterson), she to businessman fiancé, Kenneth Bradley (Richard Denning), a man who’s played Pygmalion in her life. Their fate is sealed on a touching visit to Nickie’s grandmother (Kathleen Nesbitt) at Villefranche-sur-Mer. This scene will get to you in both films.
In love, but otherwise entangled, the incipient couple agree to meet atop the Empire State Building after six months, both breaking off from their intendeds. Terry goes back to performing (elsewhere), Nickie tries to earn a living as a painter. (Formerly a hobby.) When she doesn’t keep the date, he’s unaware she’s been in a car accident running to meet him and grows bitter. She disappears, taking a teaching job at an elementary school, unsure whether she’ll walk again.
They get a glimpse of one another at theater, but he doesn’t see her wheelchair. Terry is heartbroken, but proud. Serendipity leads Nickie to the truth (at Christmas!) and a happy ending. Get out your handkerchiefs! Critics were not kind looking at the piece measuring its realism. The public disagreed. Grand chemistry. Manages to be both sophisticated and deeply romantic. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Sleepless in Seattle 1993 Directed and Co-Written by Nora Ephron with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Uses the Empire State Building meeting to grand effect. Rent on Amazon Prime.
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison 1957 Adapted from a novel by Charles Shaw and directed by John Huston. Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum. Abandoned by a reconnaissance party in the South Pacific (1944), Marine Corporal Allison makes his way to an island whose only other occupant is Sister Angela, a novice who hasn’t yet taken her vows (Kerr). At first they’re alone, then Japanese troops arrive. The two remain undiscovered. When the enemy leaves, Allison gets drunk and declares his love. Angela runs away in the rain and grows ill. The Japanese return.
Just as all seems lost, the Americans arrive. Allison risks his life disabling Japanese guns and the two are rescued. Angela remains dedicated to Christ. She reassures him they’ll always be close “companions.” Predictable. When the National League of Decency sent observers, the leads adlibbed a scene with kissing and groping.( It was cut.) Rent on Amazon Prime.
Separate Tables 1958 Based on two one act plays by Terrance Rattigan. Directed by Delbert Mann. Academy Awards for Best Actor (David Niven) and Best Supporting Actress (Wendy Hiller), Deborah Kerr, Rita Hayworth, Burt Lancaster. Outstanding acting and direction. Immensely moving piece.
Miss Pat Cooper (Hiller) owns modest Hotel Beauregard on the south coast of England. Most of its guests are residents. The film concerns habitual prejudices and deep vulnerability within a small group of mostly older people making their last stop.
Major David Angus Pollock (Niven) has been dining out on (harmless) lies about his army career. When a local paper inadvertently reveals the truth, he loses his reputation and emotional axis, preparing to leave the only refuge retirement has found. The major is loudly judged by longtime resident, Mrs Railton-Bell (Gladys Cooper). Her subjugated old maid daughter, Sibyl (Kerr), is sympathetic to and infatuated with him as one of the few people to ever treat her kindly.
Also at the hotel are somewhat younger, John (Burt Lancaster), secretly involved with Miss Cooper, and his unexpectedly arrived ex-wife, Anne (Rita Hayworth), a demanding/needy beauty at the end of her rope. Anne hopes to get John back. The stories play out. Kerr is painfully credible in a role stripped of all attractive Hollywood help. The moment of her character’s defiant self liberation is stunning. Rent on Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Top photo: Bigstock
