A Reel Retro Review: AUTUMN LEAVES (1956)

Reel Speak’s Retro Reviews will randomly review a classic film from the TCM library every week, with the intention of introducing some overlooked and perhaps forgotten screen gems from the past to those of us who may be unfamiliar or unawares of their existence. 

 

The season of glorious Fall is upon us. Last year, Reel Speak blogged on the best films to watch during this refreshing season (read that HERE). One film that was considered for the list but didn’t make the cut of 10 was Robert Aldrich’s 1956 noir drama, AUTUMN LEAVES. 

 

Milly (Joan Crawford), is a lonely self-employed typist who meets Burt (Cliff Robertson), and they begin a whirlwind romance which leads to marriage. But not long after, Joan meets Burt’s ex-wife Vera (Virginia Hanson), and his father (Lorne Greene), who hint that Burt may not be all that he seems…

 

AUTUMN LEAVES is a film that latches closely to the three-act structure. The early goings are a standard romance tale, the middle section adds mystery, and the concluding act sees Burt’s secrets come to light. The arrival of his ex-wife and father triggers long-standing issues within him, and once the film moves past the layered mystery, AUTUMN LEAVES surprisingly becomes a story that often shocks about mental-illness…with Burt’s sanity quickly going downhill. 

 

Director Robert Aldrich, who would win a Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival for this movie, films a spectacular looking noir. Lights and shadows are used brilliantly, and a scene in a theatre which shows Milly’s loneliness is excellent even by today’s standards. Every shot is exquisitely framed. 

 

The cast is excellent. Joan Crawford shows Milly’s loneliness and desire for affection very well. Cliff Robertson lights up the screen…especially when he starts to lose his sanity. Lorne Greene, years before he would gain fame in TV’s BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1978-1980), makes for an excellent villain. 

 

AUTUMN LEAVES was omitted from Reel Speak’s Best Fall Film list simply because it doesn’t have a lot to do with the season, despite Nat King Cole’s classic tune of the same name appearing in the opening and closing credits. Cole’s song serves as a metaphor for the film, which is an effective look at mental illness and romance. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it 

 

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Reel Facts: Robert Aldrich would go on to direct hits such as THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX (1965), THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967), and THE LONGEST YARD (1974). Cliff Robertson would win an Oscar for Best Actor in the film CHARLY (1968), and in his later years would play Uncle Ben in Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN trilogy (2002-2007).