nubka
Aug 28 2006, 11:09 PM
I finally watched this old classic tonight (never seen it before.) I have a question. If Jerry's marraige was really so unhappy, and since he loved Charlotte, why didn't he get a divorce? O.k., wait a minute...was it because his wife was supposedly "ill" (but do they ever say what she is ill with?)
Of course, I don't advocate that everyone should just chuck their family for Charlottte/Bette, but he was clearly unhappy in his present situation.
Oh well, at least they "have the stars", right...? LOL!!
Anyway, although the last 45 minutes are totally unbelievable, I did enjoy this movie, and just bought a copy for myself online!Click to view attachment
Armanis
Aug 29 2006, 11:04 AM
nubs, I think that Now Voyager, deals heavily in what English majors call . . . 'suspension of disbelief.' As you say, a good measure of that film, is . . . on the implausible side. A divorce, I fear, would have 'flattened' the story too much. Look at GWTW . . . Rhett knows that Scarlett 'loves' Ashley; he marries her anway, and never confronts Mr. Wilkes, about a thing.
nubka
Aug 29 2006, 06:01 PM
Did you notice in this movie, how they kept calling "old" Aunt Charlotte FAT ?? I didn't think Charlotte looked fat at the beginning of the movie. Dowdy, and in a frumpy, unflattering dress, yes. Fat, no.
Gosh, the standard of what constitutes "being fat" must have been even more severe back then, than they are nowadays...
I didn't think it was possible.
susanwinters
Aug 29 2006, 06:45 PM
I have a g/f who has been a mistress to a wealthy NYC man for thirty years. He can't leave his wife because it "would kill her." But she knows about the relationship and is okay with it, just doesn't want to be a divorced woman. "Voyager" always reminds me of my friend.
FiveoaksBouquet
Aug 29 2006, 08:44 PM
Now, Voyager is one of my favourite films. Guess I'm real good at suspending disbelief! LOL It's been a while since I watched it but I believe there was some threat of Jerry's wife taking away the daughter if he divorced. She may also have been mentally ill. I must watch it again soon. Love the perfume scenes in that film (Jolies Fleurs). Love the way Charlotte developed from a cowardly klutz into a beautiful woman of great self-esteem and character. And I luuuvvv Paul Henreid!
Armanis
Aug 29 2006, 08:56 PM
Does't Gladys Cooper, play Charlotte's mother? She was considered to be a great beauty, in her day. Notice how many times, Bette was 'poor aunt Charlotte?' In THE OLD MAID, and in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, and in Now Voyager. May have missed one more . . .
nubka
Aug 29 2006, 09:17 PM
QUOTE (Armanis @ Aug 29 2006, 07:56 PM)

Does't Gladys Cooper, play Charlotte's mother? She was considered to be a great beauty, in her day. Notice how many times, Bette was 'poor aunt Charlotte?' In THE OLD MAID, and in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, and in Now Voyager. May have missed one more . . .
Speaking of Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, I've copt a copy of it sitting right here. I borrowed it from the library, it's overdue, and I need to watch it now. Thanks for reminding me!
Armanis
Aug 29 2006, 09:20 PM
Click to view attachmentYou know that BD asked for Vivien Leigh, as a replacement for Joan Crawford, in 'Hush.' VL replied, through her agent: 'I could just about take Joan Crawford's face at eight o'clock in the morning, on a southern plantation. But I couldn't possibly take, Bette Davis's.' LOL . . .
Hush, is a fairly good film . . . Davis reaches a level of almost unbearable intensity, at one point on the staircase . . . BD: always at her best, during staircase scenes.
nubka
Aug 29 2006, 09:30 PM
I know I've Hush at least once, a long time ago, but really I can't remember a thing about it. I do slightly remember seeing "Die, Die, My Darling!" Do remember that one?
Armanis
Aug 30 2006, 07:39 AM
Click to view attachmentOh, God yes!! Tallulah Bankhead and Stephanie Powers!! ''Die, Die," is another camp classic, that has got to be seen, to be believed!
nubka
Aug 30 2006, 03:22 PM
QUOTE (Armanis @ Aug 30 2006, 06:39 AM)

Click to view attachmentOh, God yes!! Tallulah Bankhead and Stephanie Powers!! ''Die, Die," is another camp classic, that has got to be seen, to be believed! Isn't Stephanie Powers held captive in a creepy old house, or something like that...?
Irinadax
Aug 31 2006, 02:50 PM
I love Now Voyager. Great 'make-over' movie. I think the reason he didn't divorce his wife b/c she was 'sick'. I think it's alluded to her having mental illness. I did think the ending was quite unebelievable with Bette basically adopting the girl - but hey - it's old Hollywood and anything goes. Love the movie - did anyone notice Bette's manicure in this? I did. It looked like today's French manicure, although I'm not sure if that was done back then - anyway - I think her mani is great in this flick.
Armanis
Sep 2 2006, 10:16 AM
'dax, you said it. Crawford and Davis could make us believe . . . anything.
nubka, that's right. Stephanie Powers is held captive in her ex-fiance's mother's, home. In order to facilitate the plot, Tallulah Bankhead walks around, holding a gun pointed straight at Powers . . . throughout most of the movie. LOL! Bankhead is wonderful, in this opus . . . really chews up the sets!
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