“The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex,” “The Housekeeper’s Daughter” (Movie Reviews-12/2/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 12/2/39 | Frank S. Nugent, H.T.S., B.R.C.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

1

2

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime”.)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” original trailer

“The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” publicity stills

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“The Housekeeper’s Daughter” opening credits

“The Housekeeper’s Daughter” clip 1

“The Housekeeper’s Daughter” clip 2

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Movie review ping.

[SnarlinCubBear]

Ping a roo

[DollyCali]

Thanks for headsup... I wasn’t aware of this but I dont do a lot with older movies

[PAR35]

I never have been a Bette Davis fan. Or Joan Crawford, either.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I never have been a Bette Davis fan. Or Joan Crawford, either.

I will go along with you on Crawford, but I've got to part company with you on Bette Davis. She still bowls me over and can elevate mediocre material. Which she got a lot of, IMO. "Dark Victory" and "Now, Voyager" are examples of hopelessly sappy stories that she turned into classics.

I watched "Elizabeth and Essex" last night. I reread this review and find it to be spot on. I won't try to add to what Nugent has to say. I will just say that yesterday there was a thread asking readers to name their favorite movies made before 1950. This one would not make my list.

[PAR35]

Perhaps it is the material that she was in that leads me to have a dim view of Ms. Davis. I’ve never forced myself to be a student of her work.

[Deb]

I highly recommend “All This and Heaven Too” and “Jezebel” for Bette Davis and “Mildred Pierce” for Crawford. If those don’t get you, you’re hopeless, stick with the Paris Hilton Deluxe Collection (now with left-like toy chihuahua!).

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I highly recommend “All This and Heaven Too” and “Jezebel” for Bette Davis and “Mildred Pierce” for Crawford. If those don’t get you, you’re hopeless

I Watched "Jezebel" when I posted the review early last year. My comments then still work for me. On that thread a discussion of "All About Eve" broke out. Another great Davis performance.

"Jezebel" review, March 11, 1938

I don't remember seeing "All This and Heaven Too." When was it released? As for Mildred pierce . . . Maybe I'm hopeless. I just didn't think Crawford captured the character very convincingly. That may be because I read the book shortly before seeing the film. That is always dangerous. I forget the name of the author. Cain, maybe? I do remember that he wrote only a few books but they all became classic movies: "Mildred Pierce," "Double Indemnity," and "The Postman Always Rings Twice."

[Deb]

"All This and Heaven Too" was made in 1940 and also starred Charles Boyer. It came out just before "The Letter" and was Davis' biggest money-maker up to that time.

She plays a governess in the home of a French aristocrat, who falls in love with the father of the children she oversees, but the too never express their love in any way because Boyer is married (to a MONSTER!). Its actually a dramatization of the events that started the French Revolution. Boyer's dying declaration of love for the governess is like Heathcliff's speech to Kathy's lifeless body in "Wuthering Heights". I have to watch with a full box of Kleenex.

I saw it for the first time on TV when I was a teenager and never forget it. I finally found it on VHS, but I don't think it's come out on DVD yet.

Crawford usually played different versions of herself, but Bette Davis tackled characters from every era and range of attractiveness, never caring about camera angles or glamour. Meryl Streep is the only current actress who comes close.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I saw it for the first time on TV when I was a teenager and never forget it. I finally found it on VHS, but I don't think it's come out on DVD yet.

imdb.com says the release date was July 5. So I will be watching for the review when I get that far in my article gathering. Netflix has it on DVD and also Play Now on your computer.

Meryl Streep is the only current actress who comes close.

I think Streep is as good as anyone who ever acted in film. Even if she is a big leftie.