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Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,222
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

"HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

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3:45 p.m. Eastern--  "Home Before Dark"  Jean Simmons, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Dan O'Herlihy, Rhonda Fleming, Mabel Albertson, Steve Dunne, Joan Weldon, Joanna Barnes, Kathryn Card, Marjorie Bennett, Johnstone White, Eleanor Audley

 

A troubled woman (Jean Simmons) has been away from home for a year, receiving treatment in a psychiatric institution.  When she returns, she is met by her professor- husband (Dan O'Herlihy) who is bafflingly remote, and who is way too emotionally close to her stepsister (Rhonda Fleming), who unfortunately, lives with them....

 

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Complicating all the psychological and romantic dynamics, is the presence in the house of a boarder, another attractive academic ( Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.),  who seems to have an instinctive understanding of Simmons' vulnerabilities and torment.

 

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Jean Simmons is perfect in this role of a struggling, sympathetic soul, and there's very nice chemistry with adorable Efrem Zimbalist Jr..   The two spark memorably in a quiet scene, lobstering at the seashore, where they share coffee and talk.  Both are outsiders in the stuffy New England town--  she, because she is "different",  and he because of the not-so-covert anti-Semitism at the college that threatens his career....

 

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An absorbing film lit by insightful performances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,054
Registered: ‎06-14-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

I will DVR this movie as I always loved Jean Simmons.  I may have seen this one but to be sure I will tape it whether I did or not.  We all watch movies over and over!  I enjoyed Jean Simmons in Guys and Dolls , Sparatcus, The Robe to name a few.. A lovley actress who always gave a great performance.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,035
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

I don't know why Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. did not have more of a movie career. He certainly had pleasing good looks and charm. 

 

It seems most of his work was on TV. Will be good to see him in a movie.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,324
Registered: ‎04-28-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

Also beautiful as a brunette. 

 

At first, I thought they were different women.

 

Thanks for the alert.  Enjoy!

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,775
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

Check out the eyebrows!

When I lose the TV controller, it's always in some remote destination.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,222
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

Agreed, @spiderw ,  she gives great performances, very well thought out ( I'm thinking of "Angel Face"!), and in this one, she gives a very multi-faceted picture of someone in emotional distress.  Even when things take a somewhat extreme turn, she actively holds your sympathy.  I somehow think she is under-rated.

 

Oh, so true, @drizzellla ,  Efrem Zimbalist had charm to burn.  Even in a small role like Audrey Hepburn's hubby in "Wait Until Dark".    And in this film, he's irresistable.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,019
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

An artfully-filmed character study worthy of your time.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,324
Registered: ‎04-28-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

I'd love to see this movie color-ized.

 

I've always wondered exactly how they color-ize olden movies. 

 

All of the shading in draping, satin types of fabric seems to be perfect.

 

Great job regarding other color-ized movies.

 

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).
Honored Contributor
Posts: 28,716
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

One of my faves since I was a young girl. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,415
Registered: ‎03-12-2010

Re: "HOME BEFORE DARK" JEAN SIMMONS EFREM ZIMBALIST JR. THURSDAY 3:45 P.M. EASTERN TCM

I may just have to subscribe to TCM again @Oznell because so many of these interesting films (especially my favorite noirs) are only available to stream on a paid basis, whether they're on Youtube, or Prime, or another option.

 

There are some random free streaming channels that have classics and noirs but they are hit and miss. 

 

 

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.