I realize it's a vapor inhaler (such as Vicks brand) that Scalise keeps inhaling throughout the movie. Such are commonplace, for decongestant use.
But is his slimey character repeatedly using that supposed to, in 1950 code, perhaps suggest drug use?
Meanwhile, I've read that some feel the Scalise character is "coded", as depicted, as being gay. I personally don't see it, so wonder what do they conclude that from?
I give this movie a 7/10 rating. It's quite formulaic and not especially compelling IMO, though does feature good acting and dialogue, as well as production values.
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Réponse de wonder2wonder
le 15 février 2023 à 04h55
Below are only excerpts. It is recommended to read the articles for a better understanding of this 'queer/gay coding'.
... Excerpt from Chapter 2 – Queers and Dykes in the Dark: Classic, Noir & Horror Cinema’s Coded Gay Characters: THE LAND OF MORAL AMBIGUITY: HOLLYWOOD & THE HAYS CODE:
... Excerpt from 21 Best (and Worst) Queer Movie Villains:
What are those subtle subtextual signs in this movie?
... Excerpt from Review: Otto Preminger’s Where the Sidewalk Ends on Twilight Time Blu-ray:
Réponse de genplant29
le 15 février 2023 à 06h43
Good info, wonder. When watching this movie, the character coding, regarding him being gay, goes clear over my head regarding Scalise. (I do, at times, definitely see orientation coding in certain characters of other '20s thru '50s films.)
Réponse de wonder2wonder
le 15 février 2023 à 10h36
It's interesting that the Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC), aka Hays Code (1934 - 1968) forced studios to look for ways to depict a character's sexual preference - which deviated from what is accepted as the social norm - without it being censored.
... Excerpt from The Hays Code & Queer Coding Villains in Hollywood:
One subtle cue here would be Cairo’s use of a cane - something that basic analysis identifies as a phallic object - which he takes with him everywhere, caressing it, suggestively with his expressive hands with long fingernails.
Réponse de genplant29
le 15 février 2023 à 12h10
In the Pre-Code, 1931, version of The Maltese Falcon, also Casper Gutman (Dudley Diggs) seems even more obvious regarding his apparently "kept" (but feeling repulsed by Gutman) young cohort Wilmer (Dwight Frye). Of course in '31 it was possible, in Hollywood movies, to be less subtle about things than ten years later.
Réponse de genplant29
le 15 février 2023 à 22h25
The following, in italics, is from a TCM.com article about WtSE:
Gary Merrill, as underworld kingpin Scalise,...felt miscast as a gangster, and struggled to understand what was expected of him. Finally working up the courage to ask the famously rude director [Otto Preminger], "I've never played a gangster. I'm having trouble getting into the part." "Don't tell me," barked Otto, "Tell your psychiatrist."
Possibly some of Merrill's uncertainty stemmed from the ambiguity built into his role as it was written. Hecht had intended the character to be a drug addict, but the Breen Office censored any direct reference to drugs. However, they permitted the external characterization to remain the same, so Merrill was instructed to speak in a lilting, dreamy voice. Many commentators also see Scalise as being coded "gay" using the stereotypes of the day-a suggestion that would have been as taboo as drug use.
Merrill not being comfortable with or entirely understanding his role as Scalise likely is why I never picked up on that the Scalise character may be gay: Merrill sounds to not really have known how to pull off the role.
Réponse de wonder2wonder
le 16 février 2023 à 00h45
This subtext can be very confusing. Usually I don't watch a movie looking for these subtle signs of coding, so unless the male or female characters are overtly displaying signs - e.g. behaviour, speech, clothes - of the opposite sex or it is important for the plot, I'll not notice it or ignore it altogether.
I remember another villain - Dill (Lee Marvin) - who is using a benzedrine nasal spray during the whole movie. Is he 'gay coded', does he just suffer from a chronic cold, or is he a drug addict? He has been married before and only talks about chasing women. So, unless he is lying, this nasal spray is just a nasal spray and not some kind of symbol.
• "Violent Saturday (1955)" - Dill using nasal spray - 1
• "Violent Saturday (1955)" - Dill using nasal spray - 2
Réponse de genplant29
le 16 février 2023 à 01h26
Yeah, this movie is the first time I can remember seeing a character's repeated, ongoing use of a vapor inhaler, which had it not been all throughout the movie, to the extent it seemed like it must be a "thing", I'd never have guessed or suspected it might be supposed to imply something. I was suspecting possible drug use, if anything, though - yet Scalise didn't actually seem to ever be under the influence of anything (unless perhaps something to make him quite chill).