My Week of Movie Watching

The Delinquents – This 1957 public-service film about juvenile delinquency would have vanished without a trace, but for one famous name attached to it. The director was Robert Altman. This is pretty forgettable fare – A teen and his girl are terrorized by a gang of young toughs. Not recommended except as a novelty. In addition to Altman, the lead role is played by Tom Laughlin, who later gained fame as Billy Jack.

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers – Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin and Kirk Douglas are the three points in a triangle of love and murder in this 1946 offering from Lewis Milestone. There is a whole underplot of psycho-sexual domination going on here between the Stanwyck and Douglas characters, as well. At least I think there is. Lizabeth Scott has a meaty supporting role, but to me, her presence kills any intrigue about how the dynamic between Heflin and Stanwyck is going to play out. Added notes: This was Douglas’ first role. Robert Rossen wrote the screenplay. Recommended.