tomsview This is a fascinating movie, enhanced by luminous stars at the pinnacle of their careers. It was based on an intriguing novel by Somerset Maugham, but is a powerful work in its own right.Set mainly in America and France in the years just after World War 1, the story is seen through the eyes of Somerset Maugham, played by Herbert Marshall. While visiting his friend, Elliott Templeton, (Clifton Webb), he comes to know Elliott's family, his niece, Isabel Bradley (Gene Tierney) and her fiancée, Larry Darrell (Tyrone Power).Larry Darrell becomes the focus of the film and Maugham encounters him from time to time along with Elliott Templeton's family as their fortunes ebb and flow. Larry is a man who has had profound experiences in World War 1 and spends the rest of his life searching for something beyond the material world.Recently on Foxtel's "Golden Years of Hollywood", Bill Collins, Australia's legendary movie presenter, summed up perfectly what it is that Larry is searching for when he said, "He is a man in quest of making life worthwhile"."The Razor's Edge" has that slight detachment from reality that comes from being shot almost exclusively on the sound stage – albeit with fabulous sets and sumptuous costumes – giving the film a texture that it would not have if it had been shot on location. Obvious, painted mountain backdrops with rays of sunlight coming through the clouds may not be an effect that you could get away with today, but it all works in this movie.And what stars. Dazzling from the moment she appears, Gene Tierney had that amazing, exotic look, set off with cheekbones to die for. She was a visual feast in "Son of Fury" made a few years earlier with Tyrone Power, but here she is a little older; more mature, and even more stunning.Tyrone Power dominates the screen – he always did. He had that great ability to be still, and the camera just sought him out. As Larry Darrell, we believe he would climb a mountain to find the meaning of life.Anne Baxter's suffering as Sophie MacDonald won her an Academy Award, and although there was no award, John Payne suffers as Gray Maturin who Isabel marries on the rebound from Larry. But the most arresting characterisation is Clifton Webb's Elliott Templeton – cultivated, effete and pompous, it is an even wittier performance than the one he gave in "Laura".The dialogue sparkles. Whether it is the exchanges between Maugham and Isabel or the Holy Man revealing the secrets of the ages to Larry, the script is full of insights into human nature that make you think about the film long after it ends.The film is pushing 70 now, and the players have all departed the stage, but they still glow in a movie that shows how seductive films from that era of Hollywood could be.

wes-connors In 1919 Chicago, British writer W. Somerset Maugham (nicely personified by Herbert Marshall and directed by Edmund Goulding) recalls meeting handsome World War I veteran Tyrone Power (as Laurence "Larry" Darrell) at a party. He is engaged to attractive socialite Gene Tierney (as Isabel Bradley) and has a little money, but Mr. Power feels restless and uncertain about his place in the world. During the war, Power's life was saved by a buddy; the act killed his friend and left Power with questions about life. He and Ms. Tierney pledge their love, but decide to put their plans for marriage on hold while Power travels...The cast winds up in Paris, where Tierney's flamboyant uncle Clifton Webb (as Elliott Templeton) holds court. Powell is also admired by alcoholic floozy Anne Baxter (as Sophie MacDonald) while more sober John Payne (as Gray Maturin) remains available for Tierney. Power's inward searching becomes highly spiritual and he winds up spending some time in India where a bearded Maharishi-type tells him to imagine, "nothing above you but the sky." Imagine that. After the 1929 stock market crash, Powell returns to Paris. He attempts to bring God-given peace and tranquility to friends and acquaintances living on "The Razor's Edge"...******** The Razor's Edge (11/19/46) Edmund Goulding ~ Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Anne Baxter, Clifton Webb

lewis-51 This is a very good movie that should have been better. It is full of excellent little scenes and fine touches, such as the scene at the coal mine with the ex-priest. The photography and quality of the sets are wonderful. There are wonderful scenes in very believable little French hotels and bistros. There are subtle recurring symbols of a philosophical and religious nature.As others have written, it is centered on the story of a WWI veteran (Larry, played by Tyrone Power) who can't get serious about the routine kind of life everyone else seems to be pursuing in Chicago after the war. He wants more. He gives up marrying the beautiful Isabel (Gene Tierney) and has enough money to travel to Paris, then to India, seeking enlightenment and wisdom. That could be hokey, but it is handled well. He is gone long enough for Isabel to give up on him and marry someone she doesn't really love named Gray (John Payne). Also, an old friend of Larry's named Sophie (Anne Baxter) meets tragedy in her family life.Years later, Larry returns from India to Paris and meets Gray, Isabel, her rich uncle Elliott (Clifton Webb) and others there. The stock market has crashed and Gray and Isabel have lost most of their money. They are living with Elliott. Larry has an unusual hypnosis scene with Gray. I was intrigued and thought the situation really had a lot of potential. I loved the scenes with Anne Baxter in Paris. But somehow, after that the main thread got lost. It is a long movie, but maybe not long enough to really do justice to all the subplots. Some of them should have been toned down or dropped, though I admit choosing which one wouldn't be easy.Anne Baxter was superb. Every scene she was in was gripping. Clifton Webb was good, but I got tired of him. There was too much about him. Having Somerset Maugham appear in the movie as a character had its advantages, but somehow didn't really work for me, though the scene where he starts to seduce Tierney is great. Music, direction, plot, production values -- all are first rate. But the movie lives or dies based on the plot and the characterizations. For me, the two main flaws are Tierney and Power. Tyrone Power is just too handsome, in a plastic sort of way, and ultimately fails to be believable. Tierney is in one sense perfectly cast for the villainess -- maybe too perfectly. She is too obvious, too one-note. The contrast with the performance of Anne Baxter is striking. So it's a very good movie that makes me want to see the 1984 remake, and read the novel. I wish they could have cast someone other than Tyrone Power.

howardeisman I am still haunted by the painted backdrop of mountains in that Himalayan monastery. While this movie has so many stunning, expensive scenes, for example, a nightclub full of dozens of authentically looking and dressed extras while the camera catches it all panning the scene, the cheapness of this backdrop is glaring.Another example, The director brilliantly involves us in Larry's existential angst, looking to find out what life is all about There is a great scene with a defrocked priest. Yet, when Larry gets to that phony looking monastery to finally get THE answer, we hear only ambiguous platitudes from the great maven of the upper regions. I know that not much more can be expected, but it does weaken the movie by being included.Still, the Paris scenes are great. Tierney is at her thespian best; her great beauty adds to the ambivalence we feel about her character. Power is right for his part and does a first rate job, as do Webb, Watson, and Marshall. Baxter looked to me like she was being directed by C. B. DeMille. Payne looked like he wasn't directed at all.