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Written on the Wind

Written on the Wind

Douglas Sirk


  • Country: USA
  • Year: 1956
  • Language: English
  •  
  • Runtime: 99 min.

The ridiculous made sublime, Douglas Sirk's full-throttle melodrama is a breathtaking, widescreen symphony of style, cited as an inspiration by everyone from Rainer Werner Fassbinder to Harmony Korine.

Cinematheque

screening times

    • Tuesday October 26
    • 12:30:00 PM
    • Tiff Bell LightBox 3

Note: indicates Premium Screening.

official description

The ridiculous made sublime, Douglas Sirk's full-throttle melodrama is a breathtaking, widescreen symphony of style, cited as an inspiration by everyone from Rainer Werner Fassbinder to Harmony Korine. Chronicling the degeneration of a Texan oil dynasty, Written on the Wind focuses on the alcoholic heir apparent Kyle Hadley (Robert Stack), his nymphomaniac sister Marylee (Dorothy Malone), family business manager, best friend and object of Marylee's desire Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson) and Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall), a lowly secretary torn between Kyle and Mitch. Overlaying his turgid material with a masterly use of the CinemaScope frame and riotous visual invention, Sirk not only paved the way for postmodernism, camp and kitsch, but did something greater: through the beguiling sincerity of the film's emotions, he elevates trash melodrama to high art.

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