Just rewatched this. I give it *** out of five stars. Because I just
watched the Bogey version for the first time within the last 2 weeks, I
can't help but compare and will.

What I liked about it:

Robert Mitchum. Although he didn't come across as tough as I remembered
when I first watched this as a teen, he still gave a good, solid
performance. Can't compare to Bogey's portrayal though. Not in the same
league. Although I've never read the books so for all I know he might be
closer to what was written in the book <shrug>.

Candy Clark - Loved her performance. As good as I remembered it. Much
better than what they gave the Martha Vickers to do in the Bogey version,
although not her fault. One scene I never understood at the time, when
Mitchum takes the bed sheets and sweeps them to the floor in disgust after
kicking naked Camilla out of his bed. Totally makes sense to me as an
adult. As an adolescent couldn't even understand him asking her to leave
grin>.

Joan Collins - Felt she gave an equal performance, although different, to
what Dorothy Malone gave. Enjoyed both performances.

Oliver Reed. Far superior Eddie Mars. Felt the slime and sinister-ness.


What I didn't like about it:

Sarah Miles. This is where my memory let me down the most. In my
adolescent mind, I saw her as a creditable romantic partner for Marlowe.
I had glamorized her. Bacall benefits from her portrayal, and I'm
criticizing the character more than the actress. I liked the dignity and
grace that Bacall gave to the older sister. Saw her as the more refined
of the two. Here she was just a little less crazy and wild.


Jimmy Stewart. Although given more screen time, felt Charles Waldron had
much more impact in the role.

Richard Boone. I most looked forward to seeing Boone as Lash after
watching the 46 film. But felt he hammed it up, overacted and never
scared me one bit as much as Bob Steele did. With Boone getting third
billing my expectations were much higher. I'm a Boone fan.



Overall, it is still an enjoyable story and this version did introduce me
to the story (which I like in both versions) when I saw it on TV in the
late 70s.


--
Dennis/Endy9
~Some will sink, but we will float. Grab your coat. Let's get out of
here. You're my witness, I'm your Mutineer.~ Warren Zevon
--