Five Gene Tierney Movies to Watch
The incomparable Gene Tierney would’ve turned 103 today, November 19th. In honor of her birthday weekend, I thought I’d recommend five of her films that everyone should check out.
First, I’ll admit I haven’t seen all of her films. I am about 18 movies out of 36. However, I have at least seen her big films. I became a fan of hers when I saw Leave Her to Heaven and decided to watch her entire filmography.
Though never officially dubbed, I think of her as the queen of 1940’s Noir. Noir as a genre became oversaturated in the 40s and 50s. Gene starred in several of them; her most famous films are all Noir films.
Of course, there are a few outliers, romance and adventure. But mostly Gene was forced into a studio system, like all other actors in that era, she was stuck in the same kind of roles over and over. Many of these roles have been thankless in subpar films, making me rethink watching all her films. But when those few bright ones appear it makes the 10 mediocre films worth watching…sometimes.
So here are five Gene Tierney movies that you should definitely check out!
Laura – 1944 – Directed by Otto Preminger
Possibly her most famous film and is widely considered one of her best. Laura is one of the best noir films to come out of the 1940s. A detective investigates the murder of Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney). As Detective Mark becomes more engrossed in the case, he finds himself falling for the titular Laura.
As with many noir films, there is more than meets the eye here. However, it’s easy to see why this was Gene’s breakout role. Even in a photograph, Gene jumps off the screen. What is most surprising is it took 12 movies for everyone to take notice.
That comes down to two things. Laura has a great script and it’s directed with precision by Otto. Not to spoil anything but this is a film that actually puts her front and center and gives her things to do. Which is more than many of her other films can say.
Heaven Can Wait – 1943 – Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Playboy Henry van Cleve is brought to the gates of hell, a place Henry is sure he belongs. Here Henry and the Devil recount his life to see if he should spend eternity in hell or be sent to heaven instead.
As you can tell by the description, this is not the original which Warren Beatty remade in 1978, that is a remake of another 1940s film Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Here Gene plays a role she would come to know all too well, the wife role.
As Kevin Jacobson from the Podcast “And the Runner Up is…” puts it; what if there was a wife genre. However, this is the best of that genre. Oozing with that Lubitsch charm, though it’s not one of Gene’s meatiest roles, she still makes the best of her time. Moreover, it’s one of her better films.
If you want to watch a charming film about a man who thinks he is worse than he is, and he’s married to Gene Tierney, then check this one out.
The Razor’s Edge – 1946 – Directed by Edmund Goulding
Based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel of the same name. A large romantic epic set in the 1910s just after World War I. Tyrone Power (a common co-star of Genes) plays Larry Darrell a fighter pilot who returns from the war looking for meaning in life.
He moves to Paris to live a modest life, which pushes away his love Isabel (Gene Tierney). He then becomes romantically involved with alcoholic Sophie (Anne Baxter). When Isabel learns of this, she stops at nothing to get Larry back.
I have never said this in my life before, but I truly believe this is one rare case; this should be a limited series. Though the book is only 314 pages, the subject is so dense and the characters so rich that it needs more time than the 146 minutes this film has.
Gene is perfect here, not her most evil role, more on that to come later. It’s a strength of the film that all of the characters are gray rather than caricatures or one note.
It makes the film frustrating because you wish it were better. It’s good but it could be great. But Gene is great in one of the biggest roles of her career.
Thunder Birds: Soldiers of the Air – 1942 – Directed by William Wellman
Of course, another prevalent genre of film in Hollywood is the war film. This one was directed by the man who made the first Academy Award winner for Best Picture Wings. Another flying film, this time in beautiful technicolor.
Thunder Birds doesn’t’ have the same gravitas as Wings, but at 72 minutes it’s a pretty fun little film. A young man joins the Royal Air Force and is taken under the wing of a flight instructor. But issues arise when The young man falls for Kay (Gene Tierney) the flight instructor’s old flame.
I think this is better than the critics do. Currently, it sits at 38% on Rotten Tomatoes but I don’t give much stock in Rotten Tomatoes. If you want some light romance in a war picture that is under 80 minutes then look no further. The perfect date night film, something for everyone.
Also, this film is just an exercise in how gorgeous Gene Tierney is and how every soldier falls over themselves just to talk to her. A scene at the beginning of the film, containing flying and Gene in a water tank, would have been downright scandalous in 1942.
Leave Her to Heaven – 1945 – Directed by John M. Stahl
Now for the big time! Not only is this the best movie Gene Tierney was ever in, this is the best performance she has ever given. Also, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It earned Gene her sole Oscar nomination.
Richard Harlan is a writer and meets the striking Ellen Berent (Gene Tierney). They quickly fall in love but Ellen’s enveloping and obsessive love becomes the couple’s downfall. As Richard begins to pull away Ellen becomes more obsessive.
It’s a fantastic film. A brilliant noir in technicolor that has been beautifully restored by Criterion. This is the film that made me fall in love with Gene. This is crazy to say because she is pure evil in this film, truly indefensible acts.
It’s a shame she didn’t win the Oscar for this performance. But she was up against Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce, sometimes it’s not your year. It’s one of those rare roles for a woman back then that had actual substance, and she knocks it out of the park. If you only watch one Gene Tierney film make it this one.
