12 Mar The Razor’s Edge
The Razor’s Edge, WWII era movie starring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney
(1946) When World War I is over, veteran Larry Darrel discovers that he cannot bear to return to his former role in society. On the last day of combat, his best friend had saved him but died doing so, and because of this Larry is compelled to discover a deeper meaning for his life.
The Razor’s Edge is based on the 1944 book of the same name by English author W. Somerset Maugham. At first I didn’t get it that this really is a World War II movie. Yes, Larry fought in the first war but when The Razor’s Edge, both the book and the film, came out veterans were just returning home and facing some of the same issues that Larry faced.
In the mid-1940’s, for someone to say that he wanted to leave his life to “find himself” was almost unheard of. The movie gave a voice to what so many of the veterans were feeling … lost, uncomfortable, trying to make sense of their lives.
Tyrone Power, who played the role of Larry, was a pilot for the Marines and arrived back in Hollywood just in time to join the cast for this film. He was 32 years ago. At the age of 44, Tyrone Power was dead of a heart attack.
Gene Tierney was just gorgeous. It didn’t hurt that she was married to Oleg Cassini at the time, and he dressed her. She didn’t get the Academy Award, but Anne Baxter did as best supporting actress.
The Razor’s Edge at amazon.com
No Comments