Thursday, July 29, 2021
The Old Maid
- Commentary: This movie is a subtly horrific construction that can't escape the description "woman bashing", but, being a Bette Davis/Miriam Hopkins movie, it's incredibly engaging and fun to watch. I have to admit, even though it's a period piece and we're quietly encouraged to take this into consideration when judging Davis' and Hopkin's character's beliefs, actions and decisions, the circumstances proposed in this movie are almost too contrived to be believed. And, yet, watching Hopkins and Davis negotiate through them, well, you just kind of sit back, snuggle in for a good couple of hours and reach for the popcorn bowl.
This movie initiates the use of a new label, by the way, "mother-daughter-dynamics1". So far, it's the only one in this category, but I'm sure I have several that qualify, which is why I placed a "1" after the label name, and will search them out later. Right off the bat, for instance, Now, Voyager comes to mind.
For an interesting, thoughtful and wide-ranging essay on the subject of mothers sacrificing for daughters and other movie-mother insights, check out Mothers in the Movies. This movie is one of many mentioned in the essay.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Bette Davis Charlotte Lovell Miriam Hopkins Delia Lovell Ralston George Brent Clem Spender Jane Bryan Clementina Donald Crisp Dr. Lanskell Louise Fazenda Dora James Stephenson Jim Ralston Jerome Cowan Joseph Ralson William Lundigan Lanning Halsey Cecilia Loftus Henrietta Lovell William Hopper John Ward Frederick Burton Mr. Halsey
Here's the link to the Wikipedia write-up for this movie. As well, the link in the title of this post will lead you to DVD Savant's review of this movie; first review on the page.
Release Date: 1939
Directed by Edmund Goulding.
Labels: bette-davis, miriam-hopkins, mother-daughter-dynamics1, popcorn-and-soda7
