who's side are you on?

the forties film 'EAST SIDE WEST SIDE', could very well have been the preparation required for actor james mason to deliver his perfect performance in 'lolita', a man who cannot keep his hands out of the cookie jar. as 'brandon bourne' he and his wife are so over that awful episode from the past (involving another woman) that they appear truly happy and in love till brandon steps into a bar on his way home from work and runs into said past. 

hollywood has done its very best to 'groom' its players. hollywood invented 'glamor.' i'm not saying that AVA GARDNER put the makeup staff out of a job but i don't think they had to get up at 4am to get started on her either. she is BEEEAUTIFUL. you even know it's her from the back cause it can't be anyone else. in this movie she is very very nasty. barbara stanwyck, van heflin, and cyd charisse are excellent but james and ava are awesome.