Classic Film : Mirrors and reflected images in films

Mirrors and reflected images in films

Mirrors and reflected images in films.

I'll stick first with a reflected image that I've always thought was brilliant:

In Spielberg's first feature, Sugarland Express (1974), Goldie Hawn and William Atherton, on the run from the law, are holed up at night in a trailer next to a drive-in theatre where a violent cartoon plays on the movie screen. We see this not from their point of view, but reflected on the window of their trailer as they look through it to watch. They laugh and laugh while the violence of the cartoon characters plays over, then merges with, their faces until they appear to be the ones taking the beating. A foreshadowing of their own demise that’s entirely lost upon them. The purely cinematic symbolism is stunning to me.

Do you have other suggestions (with or without symbolism) for the use of mirrors or reflections that impress you?

Images are welcome.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Right. I'm out of this discussion. Discussing mirrors and symbolism is bad juju.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Gotcha. No problem.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Well, I feel I need to add at least one image, so here's one from the brilliant mirror sequence in Orson Welles' THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1946). There are many more from this film, so feel free to use them.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Well exactly needs to be said about that particular scene? I thought we'd already discussed that scene in another thread. What else should be said?

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

The big fight scene between Bruce Lee and Han at the end of Enter the Dragon (1973).



Yes, this is really me.

Enter the Dragon

Haven't seen this one, but the clip reminds me a little of the great mirror sequence in THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver (1976). One of the most memorable scenes ever filmed of a man talking to his reflection in a mirror. "You talkin' to me?"



Yes, this is really me.

Taxi Driver

👍 Probably one of the most iconic mirror scenes in films. Not a film I particularly like, but I always liked this scene. De Niro was brilliant.

Raging Bull

Speaking of De Niro and mirrors, how can we forget this poignant climactic monologue.



Yes, this is really me.

Raging Bull

Didn't see this film, Woody, but love the clip with DeNiro playing Brando in one of my favorite movies. Very interesting scene to say the least.

Just came across a passage in Elia Kazan's memoir a couple of days ago where he was talking about working with DeNiro on THE LAST TYCOON. That was about the only joy he had in making that, his final film. He said DeNiro was a dedicated pro who even wanted to rehearse on Sundays.

I imagine DeNiro brought some memories of Kazan with him into this scene. Very interesting, indeed.

Taxi Driver

It was a funny scene. I didn't care for that movie either. I really do not understand its cult following either.

Taxi Driver

👍

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

For some reason, I thought there was one with Bette Davis in it that involved a lot of mirrors, but I don't recall the name of it. Of course, I could be completely wrong.

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Bette Davis

Sorry, nothing comes to mind.

But you've made me think of this one with Margaret Sullavan, THE GOOD FAIRY (1936), an early William Wyler film:



Haven't seen the film, so I don't have a clue as to its context, but however they did it I think it's pretty amazing.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

DUCK SOUP

Oh, yes this is a great scene! So funny and beautifully directed and played. And not an easy one to do, I think.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

I LOVE this scene! It's a classic!



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

In the movie Trading Places when Winthorpe and Valentine are on the escalator you can see three sixes. The third six is in a reflection.



Bing.. Wobbledy wobble, wo-wo-wobble, wobbin'
https://vocaroo.com/1hz4nrSop8zd

Trading Places

👍

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Snow White… "Magic mirror on the wall".

Snow White

Oh, NZer, you're breaking my heart! I saw this first when I was a kid and will never forget the impact it had on me. It brings back so many memories. LOVE IT!! Thank you so much.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films







^^^^This was a very funny episode of The Vicar of Dibley!



"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

A lot of great ones there, but OMG what is the second one from - and where is the mirror; I'm missing it, I think?

Thanks for the great post. The one from CITIZEN KANE is one of my favorites. And I loved the VICAR OF DIBLEY, though I confess I don't remember that scene/episode.

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Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

First and foremost FINALLY someone who knows Vicar of Dibley! I thought I was all alone in that one. How about Coupling? Or As Time Goes By? Or Keeping Up Appearances? Or Are You Being Served? I'm guessing Absolutely Fabulous might not be your cup of tea? But to be fair, it wasn't really mine, and I've only seen a few.

The 2nd one is Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs where he's dancing in front of a mirror, tucked, to view himself as a female.

As for the scene from Vicar, what happened was that Geraldine met the ballerina who is playing herself while doing a radio talk show, and later in the show, this famous ballerina (in real life) helps to do a performance for a benefits show, and Geraldine plays her mirror reflection, but in a totally Dawn French way.

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

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This message has been deleted.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

I adore Keeping Up. Poor Hyacinth has no clue about Sheldon. "The Bouquet residence. The lady of the house speaking……Do I sound like a Chinese takeaway?!"

Patricia was pretty dang fit, too. She really did get on the horse, climb over the wall, prop her leg up on the kitchen counter!

AYBS ooooh how I love Mr. Humphries to bits. He MADE that show. And to think the producers wanted to can him for being a poofta.

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

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This message has been deleted.

VICAR OF DIBLEY

Yes, well I live for Public Television and that's were it showed up and I watched it faithfully.

But, OMG, the one I love, love, love absolutely and forever is AS TIME GOES BY!! I came upon that at a time in my life when I'd had several deaths to deal with and for a time I wasn't sure I was going to make it through. But AS TIME GOES BY saved me! I watched it and laughed out loud in spite of myself. It has everything - brilliant writing and performances, and so much humor, pathos, and humanity. I bought the box set and the two later episodes right after that. God bless Judi Dench (a genius, in my opnion) and her fellow actors. AS TIME GOES BY is truly a gift to the world. I will love it forever.

VICAR OF DIBLEY

What did you think of the last scene in the last episode?

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

As Time Goes By

Oh, I loved it, of course! The perfect ending to the perfect show. Now you've got me wanting to see it again, and that's saying something because at the time I spoke about earlier, I think I looked at the whole series once a year for about three years in row.

As Time Goes By

It caught me out of the blue. That last episode was so out of character!

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

As Time Goes By

Really? Well, maybe. I remember feeling it had an appropriate sense of closure under the circumstances. You're talking about the end of the series, right? Not the two long follow-ups that came later.

VICAR OF DIBLEY

Have you ever seen Waiting For God?

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Waiting for God

No, I never saw that. I would have watched it, if I'd had the chance. Looks like a good one, too.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Another one like those: Murder Most Horrid

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Raises hand for Vicar of Dibley.

Every Saturday and Sunday on PBS - I watched every last one of those shows, plus some. Have you ever watched Chef? It starred Lenny Henry (Dawn French's ex-husband).

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Isn't Dawn French fantastic? I loved her in that ballet mirror scene, and the puddle jump! The town council meetings (the Great Storm,…no, no, no, no, yes!)

Sadly, I've never heard of Chef before. Same sort of feel to it?

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Dawn is awesome! What has she been up to these days? I haven't kept track since her days on the Vicar of Dibley. I was so sad to hear about Emma Chambers (Alice).

The town council meetings (the Great Storm,…no, no, no, no, yes!)

LOL, my husband sometimes answers questions like that when he's goofing around. He was a fan of the show as well.

Chef is comedy/drama about an up and coming culinary artist, and his merry ban of half-witted sous chefs. The series explores the trials and tribulations of his personal and professional life, as he works towards establishing his own 5 star restaurant. Here are some clips:

list=PLB32A14286F5B026F

Are You Feeling Hurt Or Triggered By Something I've Said? Call 1-800-BUTT-HURT| To Speak With An Experienced Unsympathetic Counselor Today!

Citizen Kane

The one from CITIZEN KANE is one of my favorites. And I loved the VICAR OF DIBLEY, though I confess I don't remember that scene/episode.

You're right. That image from Citizen Kane is impressive.

A lot of great ones there, but OMG what is the second one from - and where is the mirror; I'm missing it, I think?

It's from The Silence of the Lambs. Our eyes represent the mirror looking at him admiring himself as herself.
@Spiderwort

Yeah, I hope we don't have to go into an elaborate discussion about cross dressers and serial killers. The Silence of the Lambs isn't classic Old Hollywood cinema anyway.

Citizen Kane

👍

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Is that second shot from Silence of the Lambs, and if so, where the hell is Buffalo Bill's package?? And why can't I find that character in the cast list on IMDb?



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

It's called "tucking."

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

Yikes!

I guess that's what the character in Pet Detective was supposed to be doing.
That sounds painful, but no details please.



😺 Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 🤨 Let's go, Brandon! 🤨 Try that in a small town.

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

How to Marry a Millionaire

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

PERFECT choice!

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Re: Mirrors and reflected images in films

🙂

How to Marry a Millionare

Yes, a perfect choice indeed. I do believe they stole a page out of THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI for that, but who cares. It's Marilyn!

How to Marry a Millionare

Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was afraid of Peter Lawford? Yeah, I'm pretty certain it was Peter Lawford and not Joey Bishop. It was one of the members of the Rat Pack.

I think it was in her autobiography. The way he gazed upon her made her uncomfortable. It disturbed her. I found that interesting because you would think that a woman as beautiful and sexy as Marilyn Monroe was, she would recognize and understand the looks people gave her, yet for some reason the way Peter Lawford gazed upon her was disturbing. She had no words to describe it either. Just that he made her very uncomfortable, and was disturbing. I don't think he meant anything sinister towards her though.
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