Main Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, James Mason, Van Heflin, Ava Gardner, Cyd Charisse
Release Year: 1949
Country: US
Run Time: 110 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
Director Mervyn Leroy lends a burnished MGM gloss to this sordid tale of infidelity among rich New York East Siders. Barbara Stanwyck stars as Jessie Bourne, a charming society woman whose finds out that her husband Brandon (James Mason) is guiltily indulging in an illicit affair with the earthy Isobel Lorrison (Ava Gardner). Jessie bears her husband's indiscretion with a gallant dignity, and when Isabelle is killed, Jesse realizes that she doesn't care for Brandon anyway. Van Heflin is also on hand as ex-cop Mark Dwyer, who admires Jessie's stoic dignity. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
Although the title seems to promise a "clashing cultures" film, East Side, West Side is really about life among Manhattan's café society. To be sure, the film includes a couple of salt-of-the-earth types and makes passing reference to differences in social status, but for the most part, it's just trappings on top of this glossy and superficial, but nonetheless enjoyable, look at a difficult Park Avenue marriage. East/West's screenplay is a bit of a hodgepodge, pulling in elements of romance from here, murder mystery from there, comedy from somewhere else; it all coalesces, but just barely. While much of the story and dialogue is routine, the film does have a couple of surprises, notably in the way Brandon Bourne's (James Mason) self-destructive attraction to Isabel Lorrison's (Ava Gardner) lurid charms is presented. East/West's ending is also a nice change of pace. While Jessie Bourne (Barbara Stanwyck) will most likely end up with Mark Dwyer (Van Heflin) after leaving Brandon, at the end of the film proper, she has left simply because her life with Brandon is no longer meaningful or fulfilling -- a brave choice for 1949. If East/West's screenplay doesn't really challenge its quartet of stars, they're still in top form and make the film quite entertaining. Even better are the "name" players in the supporting cast, especially Gale Sondergaard, who truly makes the most of a bit part. Even Nancy Davis turns in an impressive performance. Mervyn LeRoy's direction is smooth and assured, if not particularly inspired, making East/West a lot of glossy fun. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Nancy Davis - Helen Lee; Gale Sondergaard - Nora Kernan; William Conrad - Lieutenant Jacobi; Raymond Greenleaf - Horace Elcott Howland; Douglas Kennedy - Alec Dawning; Beverly Michaels - Felice Backett; William Frawley - Bill the Bartender; Lisa Golm - Josephine; Tom Powers - Owen Lee; Mimi Aguglia; Ernest Anderson - Redcap; Jean Andren; Louis Austin; Ferike Boros - Grandma Sistina; Wheaton Chambers - Doorman; Jack Gargan - Doorman; Fred Hoose; Meredith Leeds; Lou Lubin; Ralph Montgomery; Nino Pipitone; Paula Raymond - Joan Peterson; Jewel Rose - Hat Check Girl; Vito Scotti; Harry Strang - Fred the Doorman; Stanley Waxman - John; Lillian West - Maid; Wilson Wood; James H. Horne; Peter Thompson - Jock Ardley; Rita Lynn; Bette Arlen; Charles McAvoy; Frank Meredith - Cop; Wesley Bly - Club Attendant; Stanley Orr - Bourne's Chauffeur; Sandra Spence - Cigaret Girl; Tom Dillon; Roger Moore - Reporter
