Lana Turner is rightfully remembered for striking performances in her mid- and late-career melodramas, but her range was wide. She was cast in early ingenue parts, traditional dramatic films, period films, comedies, and even had some horror and musical detours. Her status as a Hollywood star, though, was cemented due to roles in classic film noir. A glimpse of Turner’s talents can be seen in her films available on FilmStruck, where she is currently “Star of the Week.” Here are five with which to start:
The Three MusketeersThe MGM version of 1948, with Gene Kelly as a balletic d’Artagnan and Lana Turner, perfectly cast, as the villainous Lady DeWinter. George Sidney’s engagingly incontinent direction makes it fun, though his usual problems with pacing ultimately take their toll. With Van Heflin (in an unaccountable Method funk that never matches up with the rest of the picture), Gig Young, June Allyson, Vincent Price, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan, and Keenan Wynn. 125 min. —Dave Kehr
