East Side, West Side (1949)

East Side West Side, is a story about a woman who grew up on the poor side of town,but is now a wealthy socialite living with her husband who has promised to mend his ways and stay true to their marriage. He is Brandon Bourne (James Mason) a solicitor who had an affair with Isabel Lorrison (Ava Gardiner) which nearly caused the breakup of his marriage to the well liked and respected Jessie Bourne (Barbara Stanwyck).To the concern of her friends,Jessie forgives Brandon and believes him when he pledges his undying love for her. However Brandon is a louse, and when he meets up with a young model Rose Senta (Cyd Charise) in his favourite club, and discovers she knows who his wife is - it doesn't send out the red danger sign warning that it should. Along comes his former mistress Isabel Lorrison who has just arrived back in New York after some time away. The man that Isabel came in with sees her swept along by Brandon and follows them outside, where a fight ensures and photographers take Brandon's photo - spread eagled on the footpath.Rosa comes to his rescue and bundles Brandon into a taxi and takes him to her home to sober up.It is this incident that sends East Side,West Side spiraling into a series of confrontations and questions, that set up the rest of the movie.1.Brandon has to go home and tell his long suffering wife that he's likely to be on the front page of the newspapers in a few hours - he wasn't where he said he was and anyway it wasn't his fault, it was all a misunderstanding...2.The next day Jessie goes to her favourite fashion house to meet Rose for confirmation of Brandon's "far fetched"story. Rose verifies her part in the incident and Jessie thanks her for getting Brandon away from the incident so quickly.The two become friends and Jessie offers to drive Rose to the airport to meet her "fella" Mark Dwyer (Van Heflin) home from reporting on the European situation. Mark and Jessie discover they are both going to be attending the same party that evening,and when Brandon fails to arrive home in time to take Jessie to the party,she goes on alone.3.Finally, Jess telephones Brandon's secretary at home and discovers that Isabel Lorrison turned up at the office without an appointment to see Brandon. Jessie is shattered by this latest betrayal and Mark, alarmed by the state she is in, takes her home.As time goes on we see Jessie and Mark discover they both come from the poor side of town,both have strong Italian ties, and they really get on.When Jessie and her errant husband face each other it is Brandon who asks his wife for understanding - as he tries to explain his inexcusable behaviour.Brandon "Jess, can't you understand what this is for me ? I'm like a drunk who knows liquor will wreck him. He hates it. He hides from it. He tries...he tries.." Jessie "What are you asking for ? Permission ?"Ava Gardiner - who often played the temptress in her earlier career - is again the seductress. She goes after what she wants and her language to Brandon leaves the audience in no doubt as to the kind of physical relationship she wants again - with Brandon.Like most popular Hollywood movies of it's time, the roster of good actors in East Side,West Side runs deep. Nancy Davis plays Jessie's best friend who is concerned for her friend and disturbed by Brandon's behaviour. Gale Sondergaard is Nora Kernan, Jessie's mother. I have written about her before in The Letter as the Chinese mistress seeking revenge. Her career was ruined by the HUAC during the McCarthy era, but she was always a fine actress. Beverly Michaels - all 5feet 9inches of her - plays the dreaded Felice, whose man is being wooed away by Isabel. Felice is a nasty piece of work, who can take care of herself in a fight,as Mark Dwyer discovers. I don't know much about Ms Michael's career, but she was very effective and utterly convincing in East Side,West Side.This film is entertaining, a bit too "folksy" for 2012, but is blessed by the presence of the great Miss Stanwyck, who was far and away one of the best actors of her time, James Mason - whose English films often saw him play the cruel cad - was perfectly cast as Brandon Bourne. Van Heflin, who was a quiet achiever in Hollywood, beautifully underplays his perfomance as the decent Mark Dwyer,and they were well supported by the likes of Nancy Davis,Gale Sondergaard, and Beverly Michaels. A definite 4 star movie.

They don't make movies like this anymore. I love the classics because the story lines have substance. And of course, I LOVE Barbra Stanwyck!

This is a basic story about a "loving husband" (James Mason) who appears to be happily married to (Barbara Stanwyck) but cannot stay away from temptress Ava Gardner. Mason's character is weak, and roles and dialog given to both him and Miss Gardner make them so uninteresting that we are expected to believe that some sort of chemistry is responsible for drawing them to each other But it is not apparent to the viewer.Gardner is not at her beautiful best in this movie, while Stanwyck is radiant and clothes expertly (they took a flat-chested flapper's slim body type, gave her pepplum hips and a bustline, and let her pencil thin waist do the rest. However, the magnetism that Ms. Stanwyck creates cannot be reduced tothatl of a screen siren - there is something about her that, by gesture, expression and timing comes together into a convincing and believable package. But it is a mystery (and remains so through the picture) what the attraction is between Gardner and Mason. Van Heflin plays the wild card in this pic, and represents the possibilities that exist for Ms. Stanwyck in the outside world if she were to separate from this weak man who cannot be trusted.The real surprise in this movie is Gail Sondergaard, who plays Stanwyck's mother. She does an excellent job and provides a much needed twist toward the end of the movie.In summary, I found this to be an interesting movie (but I've never found a movie in which Ms.Stanwyck in which Ms. Stanwyck plays to be anything else). I also have enjoyed movies featuring Ms. Gardner - her pluck, and when she is at her best, her great beauty and believable acting are a joy to watch - much like Rita Hayworth.I recommend this movie as good entertainment. For Van Heflin fans, look for "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers". For Staywyck fans, there is also "Christmas in Connecticut" and ""The Lady Eve". For Hayworth fans, there is "Mogambo". And if one is curious about Gail Sondergaard in a very different role, look for "The Letter" with Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall.This movie could be used to show to acting classes. How does the (less beautiful but more luminous and more interestingon the screen) Ms. Stanwyck manage to outshine the arguable more beautiful Ms. Gardner? I don't know the answer to and the fascination that some actors create in the audience,seems somewhat independent of looks, but it amazes me.The movie has an uncharacteristically clean-cut ending, and not that expected of a Hollywood firm of this era and this was refreshing. Recommended.

COMPLICATED PERSONALITY TYPES IN THE ROLES RELEVANT TO ANY TIME.WELL-PACED, LOTS OF TWIST & TURNS IN THE STORYLINE.SO MANY GREAT STARS IN ONE MOVIE, PERFECT FOR THEIRROLES, I COULDN'T PICK A FAVORITE,GREAT CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THE ACTORS & LIKED THE DIALOGUE.

-----Ava Gardner is in this movie; I bought it for that reason. Her role is typical for her: a home-wrecker in a slinky black dress. Her great beauty made that very understandable to an audience; she was very good at it. This movie is high-quality soap opera. The biggest defect of the movie is the actress who plays an "Amazon Woman" who can strangle Ava Gardner's character to death with little effort. Apparently, no one noticed the actress was no amazon. I read the actress was only 5'7" tall. The characters keep telling each other that she is an amazon; apparently trying to convince the audience that she is. What is needed is a woman well over 6' tall to play the amazon role; a female Governor Arnold Swartznegger (6'4"+?) would be perfect. I feel this one defect destroys credibility; it drags down the whole movie. The "Amazon Woman" actress does a great job with the role, but she is just not an amazon. This movie has some great comic moments. It is worth the price and the time. Enjoy! ---Jim

Many famous stars in this one including Nancy Davis who became Nancy Reagan. Excellent story ! but will say no more so not to ruin it for you if you are lucky enough to see it.

Bel dramma con la grande Barbara Stanwyck, e poi James Mason, Ava Gardner e Van Heflin. Consigliato a tutti quelli che amano gli splendidi film della vecchia Hollywood. Peccato per l'assenza di sottotitoli, che ne avrebbero fatto un prodotto perfetto.Video ottimo, doppiaggio buono.

Il film di Mervyn Le Roy, regista di lungo corso (Prigionieri del passato, la sua opera più significativa) è un banale racconto di un menage a trois, impregnato del moralismo banale dell'America degli anni '50. Si salva solo l'interpretazione della Stanwick.

un melodramma un po' macchinoso, un marito che ha trovato la tranquillità sposando una nuova conoscenza, non sa resistere al richiamo nel ritorno della ex fidanzata.

Very good quality DVD. Received in perfect condition (sealed). Italian origin, plays in original English without sub-titles.