First Time Watching Lifeboat (1944) | Movie Reaction & Commentary

Early Access, Polls & full length reactions on Patreon: / casualnerdreactions
My first time watching Lifeboat (1944). Questions of morality! Themes of love and loss! This movie somehow managed to be better and not as not as good as I'd expected, but wow! It was a fascinating character study. I hope you enjoyed my Lifeboat movie reaction & commentary
Hi, I'm Chris! Welcome to my channel. I react to movies & tv shows hoping to represent what it's really like to experience them for the first time. If you enjoy, you can support me by liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and letting me know your thoughts in the comments.
CONNECT WITH ME
/ casualnerdreactions
Connect with me on twitter / nerdreactions
Join the discord: / discord
E-mail me at [e-mail]
Music: Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Original Movie: Lifeboat (1944)
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Just wanna say Happy Thanksgiving and a BIG THANK YOU to my subscribers. Appreciate your all greatly!

[@bfdidc6604]

Bravo for more old films and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

Excellent reaction again, Chris!!! It looked like you missed Sir Alfred's cameo, which was his picture in the newspaper.

[@jenniferyorgan4215]

Happy Thanksgiving

[@RLucas3000]

Thank you for reacting to Lifeboat. It’s my favorite Hitchcock movie, 2nd would be Psychi, 3rd The Birds and 4th Rear Window. Have you ever watched Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution from the 50s?

[@brandonflorida1092]

I really have to give you my highest compliments for this. Most reactors, even if they're smart enough to choose to react to Hitchcock, nonetheless only react to Hitchcock movies that lots of other people have already reacted to. "Lifeboat" is a very good Hitchcock film that no one has reacted to before. It's also kind of like a stage play, yet it's really good. I compliment the independent thinking. Thank you.

[@davidfox5383]

I love how movies like this play into the Jungian idea of archtypes...each character represents a particular facet of humanity, so we are left in this confined space with a pretty full microcosm of our entire society. Because of this, it not only is a "what-if" scenario but represents much more epic themes of war, class, privilege, and race. That is why I feel this movie is an underrated gem in Hitch's oeuvre.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Yes, it really explores so many themes. It’s impressively dense.

[@TuttleCapt]

Yeah, the characters are representatives of "types". I always think of this movie as Hitchcock's "Gilligan's Island".

[@WUStLBear82]

Tallulah Bankhead was primarily a stage actress and reputedly the inspiration for the Margo Channing character in _All About Eve_ . She hoped to be cast in that role and was unhappy to be rejected, but years later allowed that Miss Davis had done a good job of playing her.

[@tophers3756]

It's always a pleasure seeing Tallulah being Tallulah. I forgot Hume Cronyn was in this. I'm not used to seeing him so young.

[@Rmlohner]

Tallulah Bankhead's laugh was the inspiration for Cruella De Vil's. And the clip of her laughing in this film is actually featured in the movie Cruella, giving her the idea for it.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Ooh that's some great trivia!

[@TTM9691]

I never knew that! Thanks!

[@rama30]

Miss Bankhead asked Hitchcock "Which is my best side" to which he replied "The one your sitting on". If you ever go to Mobile Alabama, the Bankhead tunnel runs under Mobile Bay.

[@robertjewell9727]

Hitchcock said LIFEBOAT isn't really a "Hitchcock" film, but he wanted to make a film that addressed the devastating aspects of WWII in an isolated way. It's very melodramatic and dialogue heavy but done in a very visceral way. Hitchcock always said with cinema one must show not tell, but what I really like about it is its visual subtlety. There's a great shot of Willie when he positions himself at the oars and he glances at the other people on the lifeboat and the dark shadow of the sail moves over his face.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I remember that shot! It was really well done.

[@chuckvelten5337]

The Nazi guy on the boat played by actor Walter Slazak. I worked in his daughter's house a handful of times. Back in the '80s and '90s. She is also an actress. Goes by the name of Erica Davies. AKA Erica Slazak. Her big claim to fame was. She acted in soap operas. And she was on one that was fairly famous for a number of years. At the time she was living in Manhasset area of Long Island New York. From what I understand the house alone some years back. Taxes on it were $42,000 a year. So she moved up to Connecticut. I don't know if she still alive now or not. But she was a very nice lady. One of the things we did for her is put a gas generator in on a slab outside the house. So it could be used during storms and outages. Take care stay safe and be well. And keep up the good work.

[@creech54]

Did you see Hitchcock's cameo? He was the "before and after" model in the diet ad in the newspaper one of the characters was reading.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I didn't at first, I thought he might have been a floating body in the beginning, but I clocked it when I was editing.

[@cliffchristie5865]

Shows how a master filmmaker can take a simple good premise and make it compelling. And this probably holds the record for the single most confined space for an entire film.

[@AtomicAgePictures]

During the filming, the actors had to climb a ladder to get to the lifeboat set. Tallulah Bankhead never wore underwear and delighted in shocking her fellow actors by climbing the ladder ahead of them. A woman reporter visiting the set was outraged by Tallulah's behavior and complained to studio head Darryl F. Zanuck, who sent a man to talk to Hitchcock about the situation. Hitchcock, who was always amused by Tallulah's antics, refused to interfere and told the man that it wasn't his department. The man asked, "Well, whose department is it?" Hitchcock mused for a moment and then said, "I don't know if thats a problem for wardrobe, hair dressing, or makeup."

[@sdhartley74]

I've never heard that Tallulah story but it's definitely a Tallulah thing to do!

[@eddietucker7005]

From what I’ve read, it was the Cinematographer who had to get a shot, and it was the angle of the shot that was always up her dress. He’s the one who complained to Hitchcock who gave his famous retort, not to Zanuck. Talulah NEVER wore panties.

[@AtomicAgePictures]

@@eddietucker7005 yes I've heard the story told both ways I don't know which one is actually accurate other than the fact that it's a story that Hitchcock liked to tell.

[@laurab68707]

Great Hitchcock movie. Was glad to see you watched it. I don't think at first you recognized Hitchcock's cameo. But then.......you inserted the cameo verbiage.

[@AbhinavS.R.]

Old is gold. Good that you're popularising classics.

[@macc.1132]

Great reaction to one of the more "obscure" Hitchcock films. When it was released, it was a big hit. As for Bankhead's character - I think she had a pretty good head on her shoulders. She kept a sense of humor, which can help in dire situations to avoid despair. Her material possessions didn't really get in the way of anything, and very nearly helped them catch a fish. I think she was intelligent enough to know being rescued was only a slim chance.

[@MrGadfly772]

This remains an underseen classic of Hitchcock...I am glad you watched it. Too many people run from black and white films. This may not be Hitchcock's best film but it is still better than most modern movies.

[@gregorywilson1960]

There is another film similar to this one. "ABANDON SHIP" made in the 1960's with Tyrone Power it is based on a true story. It is just as good if not better. I would very much enjoy watching it again with you.

[@floorticket]

I saw this on terrestrial TV as a teen. Just happened upon it. I don't think I've seen it since then.

[@jackmessick2869]

A little known WW2 Hitchcock picture is Saboteur. It is my favorite, with a great villain and the final climax at the Statue of Liberty.

[@MuncleMarkster]

Yes, thank you for reacting to this movie! Its one of my favorite Hitchcock movies though I can't explain why.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I often can't explain why I think things.

[@purcascade]

This was on TCM a lot after Titanic came out in 1997, not sure if it still is. I forgot it existed and how much I liked it.

[@TTM9691]

Chris, just got home from the holiday, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! What a treat to return home to this! Not only am I psyched because there hasn't been a reaction for Lifeboat yet, but also it's been so long since I've seen it that I'm going to enjoy doing a refresher with you! See you on the other side!

[@jimalexander687]

Saving Private Ryan had the same dilemma. Kill the prisoner of war or let him go to cause more damage in the future. They (unwisely) chose the latter, and he did. Same here.

[@AtomicAgePictures]

I use to love to watch this film as a double feature with 12 Angry Men

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Classic double feature!

[@davidlionheart2438]

The scene in which the they attack and beat Willie to death is one of the most viscerally savage moments I've ever seen in any film. The fact that the attack plays without music and goes on and on with the sound of the blows and the groaning and them all pushing each other to get to him with whatever they can get their hands on. It's chilling yet brutally satisfying because Willie so deserves it. The great Hume Cronyn who plays Stanley was the second husband of the great Jessica Tandy. They were married from 1942 till she died in 1994. They frequently acted together and had whole new careers after Ron Howard's "Cocoon". Brilliant people. The excellent Henry Hull who plays Rittenhouse was the first great screen werewolf in Universal's 1935 "Werewolf Of London". A really wonderful film.

[@Kunsoo1024]

The play was by Eugene O'Neil. The movie leaves some key parts out.

[@waterspout8]

Steinbeck, actually.

[@Kunsoo1024]

@@waterspout8 Oh, you're right! College was a long time ago. My wife just laughed and said, "Way too political for O'Neil."

[@gallendugall8913]

The second someone starts singing "We're on a boat" I'm going to scream.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CarolinaCharles777]

Another great reaction. I love that you're picking these underrated Hitchcock films! Random trivia. Hume Cronyn was married to Jessica Tandy, the actress who played Mitch's mother in The Birds! I recommend Hitchcock's own remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much, with James Stewart and Doris Day.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Wait he remade one of his own films? Obviously I'd watch the one with James Stewart!

[@mwooldridge9155]

I love that you watch the older movies too. Have you seen the 1953 Titanic with Barbara Stanwyck? I like it better then the newer one. A few other movies you might like if you have the time is The Last Wagon 1956, Mr. Roberts 1955, Rachel and the Stranger from 1948, and River of No Return from 1954.

[@geraldmcboingboing7401]

You have excellent taste. Rachel and the Stranger catches William Holden at the point of his physical appearance transformation from younger William to seasoned William or at least that's how he appears to me.

[@mwooldridge9155]

@@geraldmcboingboing7401 I fixed it.

[@ageeblue752]

the more i learn about Tolula the more i love her..........

[@gggooding]

There's a thingamajig in Psychology called "Lifeboat Ethics." Who lives and who dies? (It's on Wikipedia, dig it). The authors of the studies back 'round 1970 took understandable inspiration from this flick.

[@okay5045]

One of my all time favorite movies

[@jeffbassin630]

Ms. Bankhead's performance in this movie is "classic." Have you or your viewers seen Tallula Bankhead co-star in the "Lucy Desi Comedy Hour?" It is among the funniest television episodes of anything Lucy and Dest ever did on television.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I actually haven't seen any of Lucy outside of the I love Lucy show.

[@KrissyFace]

Poseidon Adventure would be fun to watch with you!!

[@bryanCJC2105]

You don't even realize that this entire film occurs on the lifeboat. One set. Not many movies take place on one set. Even 12 Angry Men had a few minutes outside of the jury room.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

That's literally the reason I wanted watched the movie 😅 I reference it in the intro.

[@bryanCJC2105]

@@CasualNerdReactions Oops, I didn't mean to imply that "you" didn't realize it but that most people don't realize it. It's unusual and yet, the movie is so engaging that you don't tire of the same set throughout the movie.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Haha I got you. You’re right! The movie is so engaging you don’t feel it and that’s very impressive.

[@mildredpierce4506]

When it was mentioned that the operations were illegal, they were referring to illegal abortions that were done.

[@danfreeman5301]

Thanks for this!! Been decades since I've seen it. Tallulah is a goddess!!!! Her private life makes for quite a story

[@imp736]

Excellent choice, I have always enjoyed the acting in this movie.

[@toastnjam7384]

Good reaction to a very good movie. I like that you react to more than the top 50 other reactors seem to do. My favorite lifeboat movie is Abandon Ship (1957)

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It helps that I've already seen most of the top reactions out there haha, but I do enjoy variety.

[@islandgreenstrong]

HEY Chris!! I've never seen this Hitchcock film, so I had to go find it and watch it before watching your reaction. The things people do or say, think, and or react when they are isolated, distressed, and scared. Same thing even if they weren't on a lifeboat. Great reaction! Happy belated Thanksgiving! ~Dawne

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It is a deep cut! Fascinating film though!

[@jamesandthefatcat9464]

ty for this vid.good reaction. very terrifying concept again..excellent movie i have no idea how i would react in that situation..prop id be scared out of my mind.😰

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Oh same! I can't even begin to imagine the reality of it.

[@mattsnyderARTIST]

Lifeboat & Rebecca are my top two hitchcock films.

[@jacquespoulemer]

the Original Das Boot!!!! The Divine Tallulah. I read somewhere that all writing is autobiography. It may very well be.. Hitchcock films reveal a lot of HIS personality. Thanks Chris U ebhited tgus Jim Mexico retired

[@jacquespoulemer]

They had to climb a tall ladder to get into the lifeboat. Someone told Hitch she didn't wear underwear. AH responded "I don't know if that's a problem for Make-Up, Wardrobe or Hair-Dressing."

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Aaaaw brilliant film! One of my 5 best all time, let alone Hitchcock films…

[@jeffmartin1026]

I think this film is not as well-known/respected because the storyline is time specific (WW II) unlike his other films. His other films may be dated (clothing style/social mores/technology) but the storylines are timeless. Psycho, The Birds, Dial M for Murder could all happen today while Lifeboat is really stuck in time. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Yes, this is definitely a specific time period and story.

[@NoLegalPlunder]

It's a bleak one, but still very well done. As with all Hitchcock's stuff it's all about psychology and love vs hate. I love Tallulah in this and how her character is really tougher and kinder than she (or anyone else) really knew. It just took hardship to bring it out. John Hodiak is in another great movie with Lucille Ball called Two Smart People.

[@michaelceraso1977]

yea you had a good synopsis of it and Its one of kind by Hitch . I have to look for that Hodiak/ L ball film now. SHe tried so hard to be a good actress but always seemed to fall short. Dubarry was a lady was def a pretty good film BUT she just never reached the A list level

[@charrid56maclean]

Great reaction. This could be considered wartime propaganda really. Mrs. Miniver is another film you might like to check out. Happy🦃🦃🦃🦃

[@kosh6612]

NEVER thought I would see a reaction to this. Movie making at it's best.. in a closed environment with the personalities it reminds me so much of 12 Angry Men. FYI there is a sci-fi adaption Lifepod (horrible), and yet another remake. None come close, but hey.. it's Hitchcok!

[@BigGator5]

"Dying together's even more personal than living together." Fun Fact: According to "The Dark Side Of Genius" by Donald Spoto, Tallulah Bankhead would climb a ladder every day to reach the tank where the filming took place. She never wore underwear and regularly received an ovation from the crew. Soundtrack Choice Fact: Asked why he had decided not to have any musical score during the narrative of this movie, Sir Alfred Hitchcock reasoned that the audience wouldn't know where the music was coming from in the middle of an ocean. Filmmaking Sickness Fact: The harsh conditions of the shoot took its toll: actors and actresses were soaked with water and oil, which led to two cases of pneumonia for Tallulah Bankhead, an illness for Mary Anderson, and two cracked ribs for Hume Cronyn according to his autobiography. Production was temporarily halted twice to allow for recovery of the cast. After she caught pneumonia, Tallulah Bankhead was given a puppy by Sir Alfred Hitchcock for being such a good sport during the movie. He had already named the dog Hitchcock.

[@ericanderson8886]

Brilliant Hitchcock movie, like so many others.

[@DR-mq1vn]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

Happy Thanksgiving to you (a little late☺️)

[@sdhartley74]

This film is chock-full of interesting characters of the actors themselves... Tallulah Bankhead (Connie Porter), terrific wild personality, philanthropist, actress, scandalous. & Canada Lee (Joe Spencer) boxer, activist, actor... and the fella with those beautiful eyes... John Hodiak (John Kovac) gone too soon at age 41 from a heart attack, he did a lot of smaller supporting role & a few starring roles. Hitchcock himself is a fascinating person & awesome director... his actions & treatment of actors & especially actress was awful, though.

[@punchfisttop]

Ahead of it's time.

[@melenatorr]

So glad you watched this one, which is a difficult movie, with difficult questions, and no answers, only more questions to examine. Connie is a fascinating, layered character, enlivened by the unique, unusual, amazing Tallulah Bankhead, she of the basso profundo slinky, sly, upper, lowdown personality. Yes, this voyage is a turning point for her as, bit by bit, she is stripped of everything she depends on to "be" Connie. Apparently Bankhead made the filming experience entertaining and lively for the cast and crew with her eccentricities and open sensuality. Walter Slezak is Willi, another one of those amazing, indispensable supporting actors who slip in and out a huge number of characters. Note also Canada Lee, playing Joe, another of the rare occurrences in movies of this time period when a person of color is written as someone other than a dull-witted, cowardly servant.

[@eddietucker7005]

Talulah, when asked about her being bisexual, she said “Why rule out the other 50% of the population!” I saw the one woman show called “Talulah” starring Kathleen Turner. Kathleen was AMAZING as Talulah. She had all of her mannerisms correct. It was beautiful to see!

[@rumbledumpthumpershaker6735]

Oh drop the Twelve Angry men. We need the German in case we run out of food.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

haha thanks, Jennifer!

[@TTM9691]

First off, I hope your mom is feeling better, so sorry to hear that. I hope she was able to enjoy the holiday with you. All the best to her and your family. Secondly, regarding "Lifeboat": yeah, certainly not a bad movie, and it's a cool achievement for Hitch, but I don't know that this is in ANYONE'S top ten of his work! Even as a kid, I always found it hard to believe Talullah Bankhead has got a typewriter (and dry paper!). It's 1944 so like many Hollywood movies of that period, it's got to be viewed through the lens of World War 2 and war propaganda (not unlike "Casablanca"). And this was getting towards the end of the war, so "the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi" ethos was in full swing. (Not that I don't agree with that if push came to shove! I mean, we can't seem to get rid of these pests, 80 years later so.....maybe they were on to something there , who knows. I hate to even think like that, but when does it end with these people? Everything my two grandfathers went through fighting in World War 2 only to have dopey American citizens "sieg heiling", wearing and waving swastikas and giving the Nazi salute right here at home (and in the name of "patriotism" bizarrely) is......a bummer to say the least! I don't have the answer to that and neither does the movie; all I know is that Nazis are relentlessly obnoxious, lol. And dangerous. Anyways, this comment took an unexpected turn! Look at what "Lifeboat" has done, it got me all ginned up for the war effort! 🤣We'll just leave it at: great directing exercise for Hitch, and a good time watching it with you!!!! THANKS CHRIS!

[@CasualNerdReactions]

It is a movie that elicits strong feelings and that is a sign of a great film! My mom is well, the tip of her pinky injured and had to be amputated. It was kind of wild, but it almost healed up now.

[@TTM9691]

@@CasualNerdReactions Oh my gosh! So sorry to hear that!!!! Happy to hear she's on the mend. Yipes. Ouch. Poor Mom. :(

[@vincentsaia6545]

I love the movie, but screenwriter John Steinbeck renounced the movie because of the depiction of the African American character, how he was segregated from the other characters until a crime needed to be committed.

[@CasualNerdReactions]

I was kind of taken aback when they called him charcoal early on this film.