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April 1994

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Subject:
From:
BRIAN TAVES <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 6 Apr 1994 09:27:09 GMT
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          Brandy Lorenz:  Re  your beauty and  the  beast theme inquiry you
          might want to consider THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK (Columbia, 1941),
          one of the most complex and celebrated of the major studio "B"
          films of that era; the b andb theme is central . Astonishingly,
          for a picture shot in just over three weeks, it is simultaneously
          a horror film and a social consciousness picture, with a touching
          love story, a strong impression of the immigrant, urban milieu,
          and a commentary on the treatment of the handicapped. The story
          concerns a hopeful new immigrant to the US who is severely burned
          in a hotel fire . Although an expert watchmaker, his resulting
          facial disfigurement causes him to be denied employment, until in
          despair he eventually drifts into a life of crime. Only when he
          meets a blind girl, unaffected by his appearance, does someone
          recognize his true nature, and he reforms, but she is killed by
          his suspicious former associates. He exacts revenge, sacrificing
          his life in the process; Peter Lorre had the lead, with Evelyn
          Keyes as the girl. The initial release lasted nearly three years,
          extraordinarily long for a "B" of the time, and it was rereleased
          on multiple occasions into the 50s. This indicates its general
          popularity, and although critically well received, some reviewers
          of the time found the realistic depiction of the beauty-beast
          theme offensive. Director Robert Florey was a friend of Cocteau
          and the French intellectual and filmmaking community in general.
          If this is of any help, there is more in my book on Florey.
          Brian Taves
          Motion Picture Division
          Library of Congress
                                 Tavesmail.loc.gov

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