The fact that Bette Davis won her first Best Actress Oscar for her role in this picture seems totally laughable to this viewer. She had her moments, but at least two stood out for me that were exceptionally melodramatic and looked forced. The first was when she passed out at Jerry's Joint (All drinks 10 cents!) in an early scene when Don Bellows (Franchot Tone) recognized her as faded film star Joyce Heath. She just flops over her chair in an exaggerated manner. Another was when Bellows left her at the hospital after the intentional car crash that almost killed her and her husband Gordon (John Eldredge). Similar to the bar scene, she awkwardly dives her face into the bed in sorrow and remorse, but it was affected more like a pouty teenager crushed by her first love.
As for Bellows and his fiancée Gail (Margaret Lindsay), wasn't that the oddest breakup ever? No one talks like that, especially when approaching the dissolution of a relationship. That was more Hollywood than real life, so chalk one up for the screenwriters. Then, after all was said and done regarding the stage play, Gordon's refusal to grant Joyce a divorce, and finally the ridiculous decision by both to end it all, the picture ends with Bellows marrying Gail after all. Where was the reconciliation and Don's presumed apology for helping create such a mess? That would have been appreciated.
So, if I seem a little out of sorts with this picture, it's only because most of it doesn't ring true, with the only 'jinx' in the story the ones Davis's character created for herself and those around her. But don't let my opinion sway you, it's actually a little better than I make it sound so you'll have to check it out for yourself. But don't look for an Oscar contender here.
As for Bellows and his fiancée Gail (Margaret Lindsay), wasn't that the oddest breakup ever? No one talks like that, especially when approaching the dissolution of a relationship. That was more Hollywood than real life, so chalk one up for the screenwriters. Then, after all was said and done regarding the stage play, Gordon's refusal to grant Joyce a divorce, and finally the ridiculous decision by both to end it all, the picture ends with Bellows marrying Gail after all. Where was the reconciliation and Don's presumed apology for helping create such a mess? That would have been appreciated.
So, if I seem a little out of sorts with this picture, it's only because most of it doesn't ring true, with the only 'jinx' in the story the ones Davis's character created for herself and those around her. But don't let my opinion sway you, it's actually a little better than I make it sound so you'll have to check it out for yourself. But don't look for an Oscar contender here.