In Appreciation: Written on the Wind (1956)

Between 1950 and 1959, Douglas Sirk made over 20 films for Universal.  Despite box-office successes (such as Imitation of Life, 1959), Sirk was ignored by critics and accused of cranking out "women's pictures." But Sirk's films became appreciated years later as sly satires and criticisms of American families, female sexuality, and turbulent relationships.  Written on the Wind (1956) might look like high camp, but it has plenty to say about sex, family, and power.  It foreshadowed Dallas and Dynasty by 20 years.

The Hadleys, an oil-rich Texas family whose wealth is so great that the town itself is named after them.  With great power comes great responsibility--but you won't find any of that in the Hadleys.  The family's patriarch (Robert Keith) is trying to hold everything together while his alcoholic playboy son (Robert Stack) and his nymphomaniac daughter (Dorothy Malone) run amuck like spoiled brats.

Happiness seems to appear in the form of Rock Hudson, a close family friend, who works for the Hadleys and bails Stack and Malone out of their many troubles. But when Lauren Bacall comes into Stack's life, and Malone's character gets the hots for Hudson, stability flies out the window.

Raging alcoholism?  Check.  Impotence?  Check?  Unchecked sexual behavior?  Check.  Star-crossed love?  Check and check again.  Written on the Wind packs more undiluted adult behavior than even Peyton Place. 

But Sirk took a lot of chances with this film. Sexual frustration fuels every character's motivations in the film.  And the characters we are supposed to love--Bacall and Hudson--come off as ignorant of other's needs.  The supporting characters--Malone and Stack--are what we're supposed to watch. 

In interviews, Robert Stack was always surprised that Hudson took what was essentially a supporting role.  But Hudson and Sirk worked eight times together; the actor trusted the director.  Their collaborations resulted in classics like Magnificent Obsession. 

Malone was stuck in a series of "B" movies when she found out she was up for the film.  She died her hair platinum blonde and walked into her audition in a short skirt, swaying her hips.  She looked at Douglas Sirk and perched herself on his desk, hiking her skirt up as far as convention allowed.  Malone wound up winning the Oscar for Supporting Actress for her powerhouse performance.

Written on the Wind was so successful that Sirk reunited Hudson, Stack, and Malone the following year for The Tarnished Angels.

For more on Written on the Wind on DVD, click on the following: