Devil May Care

Las Vegas has long courted a controversial and unlawful reputation. Many speakeasies provided entertainment during the prohibition era. In the 1930s it became much easier to get married and divorced there than most other places in the US. The city has a thriving sex work industry despite it having been illegal for a long time. And it is of course famous for its large gambling establishments.

But the city is also known for its history of mafia activity. Gangsters like Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky and other mafia figures played key roles in the development of Las Vegas establishments. This, coupled with the lack of action by police and elected officials, painted Las Vegas as a hotbed of crime and corruption. And while these elements may be less pronounced now the image of Las Vegas as “Sin City” remains largely unchanged.

Soul On Fire

It’s easy to see why filmmakers keep using Las Vegas in their work. Its image of excess presents great visual storytelling opportunities. But it also provides inbuilt possibilities for engaging stories.

Narratively, Las Vegas inherently provides strong forces to pit our protagonist against. Whether our lead is fighting corruption, organised crime (in whatever fashion) or addiction they are automatically up against an enormous challenge because of how historically embedded it is within the city. Las Vegas movies like boxing films centre on huge challenges we can all either sympathise or thematically empathise with.

It is also a great backdrop to create interesting characters. The city’s nature provides a basis to explore people who don’t fit the typical protagonist’s mould. Lead characters can be societally criminalised (mobsters, sex workers etc.) or villainized (people with addictions), making them inherently appealing because of their more realistic nature. And because they are battling against embedded dangerous forces protagonists in Las Vegas films are given a lot of room to showcase their personalities. It allows us to invest more in their struggle if we are attached to their vulnerability or determination.

So what great movies best show off the city’s darker side?

The Lady Gambles

An engrossing character study about how the risk, glamour and community of Las Vegas gambling serve to hook people into a dangerous addiction. It also features a great performance from Barbara Stanwyck.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker

This enjoyable TV horror neo-noir film follows the eponymous reporter trying to find the person (or something else?) responsible for a series of murders. While battling the authorities and his boss at every turn.

Leaving Las Vegas

A self-destructive alcoholic writer and a sex worker seeking genuine connection manage to find kinship but how long will it last? A brutal look at the alienation faced by those with no control over their lives.

Casino

Casino tells the thrilling story of two friends tasked with ensuring that their Las Vegas casino runs smoothly for their mob overlords. But when personal drama threatens the operation’s stability their lives hang in the balance.

Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas

Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo head to Las Vegas, searching for the American dream. When their engagingly surreal odyssey ends, the American dream is revealed as a lie built on violence and exploitation. Something embodied perfectly by the setting.

Also Read: The Eternal Appeal of the Boxing Movie

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Who was Barbara Stanwyck?

Born Ruby Stevens in Brooklyn, New York in 1907, Stanwyck’s childhood was not easy. Her mother died when she was four and her father subsequently walked out on the family. She was then placed in several foster homes. After quitting school at 14 she found work as a dancer and a chorus girl. Then in 1926, she was cast in the broadway play The Noose which brought her into the spotlight. Afterwards, she starred in the show Burlesque before moving to Hollywood. There she had some minor film roles but she received her big break by being cast in Ladies of Leisure. She went on to work with many great directors (Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder, Douglas Sirk) and stars (William Holden, Henry Fonda, Gary Cooper) across film and TV until her death in 1990.

Why is She Underrated?

As mentioned above Stanwyck’s name seems to be lost in general conversation when it comes to the great Golden Age actresses. Like Malcolm McDowell, if she is mentioned often it is only for one film (Double Indemnity). And many seem to view Stanwyck as a star rather than an actress.

But across her nearly 60-year career, there are many aspects to appreciate. Stanwyck was always a professional who was committed to getting the best from her costars and herself. She acted across many genres including, westerns, romance, comedy, noir, melodrama, and more. And at a time when many actresses could only inhabit certain stereotyped roles, Stanwyck played a variety of strong and determined women who felt real. Unfortunately, she received comparatively little high-profile recognition for much of her work outside of nominations and honorary awards. So today we are going to direct you to some great Barbara Stanwyck projects, to help more people appreciate her contribution to entertainment.

5 Great Barbara Stanwyck Performances

1. Stella Dallas – Stella Dallas

As Stella, Stanwyck showcases the working-class toughness that would define much of her career. But she also gets to demonstrate her emotional range. While we follow Stella’s journey through marriage, separation, and motherhood we laugh and cry equally because of Stanwyck’s wonderfully reserved and agonisingly authentic performance. For me, this is Stanwyck’s best work.

2. Sugarpuss O’Shea -Ball of Fire

Undoubtedly Stanwyck’s best 1941 role (that year she also starred in The Lady Eve and the underrated Meet John Doe). Her comedic delivery as the brash nightclub singer who captures the attention of researchers and gangsters is pitch-perfect. Her chemistry with Gary Cooper is enthralling and her screen presence magnetic. This movie truly demonstrates Stanwyck’s star power.

3. Phyllis Dietrichson – Double Indemnity

Stanwyck is unforgettable as the femme fatale who manipulates hapless salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) into killing her husband for a massive insurance payout. Stanwyck and MacMurray’s chemistry is electric, and her performance is so good that you are never sure if Phyllis is being sincere or lying. It’s the role she will forever be remembered for.

4. Norma Vale – There’s Always Tomorrow

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray reunite in their fourth collaboration. This time Clifford Groves (MacMurray) longs to escape his stale marriage to be with the more exciting Norma (Stanwyck). The actors’ chemistry is still amazing in this more tender outing. But Stanwyck stands out. She invests Norma with a sense of longing, making the couple’s intimacy feel natural and the ending even more tragic.

5. Victoria Barkley – The Big Valley

While many of her contemporaries looked down on TV Stanwyck used it to show that, despite her increasing age, she could still be as tough as anyone else in the industry. As the ranching Barkley family matriarch, she commanded authority and respect. And her character became an icon to many.

With so many great roles it was hard to narrow it down to simply 5. So please check out some of Stanwyck’s other work and let us know your favourites.

Also Read: Underrated Actors: Malcolm McDowell

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post Underrated Actors: Barbara Stanwyck appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.