The Great Lie (1941)
Art is subjective, and while some people insist upon good stories or scripts, I’m a sucker for good acting. I’m always able to see through an uneven script or a poorly written one, which is ironic since I’ve written six novels and three theatrical scripts, and appreciate great performances for what they are. The Great Lie is a perfect example.
George Brent zigs back and forth between Bette Davis and Mary Astor, and after his death, Mary finds out she’s pregnant. There’s quite a bit of conniving and lying, in the ensuing plot, making audiences wonder which lie is the titular lie. The script itself is weak, and Bette and Mary reportedly tried to improve it, making me wonder how lousy it was to begin with.
It’s Mary Astor who steals the show, earning a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She shows off her skills as a trained pianist, gives tough, sarcastic banter, and runs the gamut of of the emotions of pregnancy. She sobs at the thought of not being able to eat a pickle, frantically threatens to burn the house down, and is shown in the early stages of labor. Anyone watching this movie will be watching it for her, not for Bette Davis. It’s not Bette’s movie, and she gives an inarguably watered-down performance, making audiences wonder why George was torn between the two ladies in the first place.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Mary Astor movies here!
More Hattie McDaniel movies here!
George Brent zigs back and forth between Bette Davis and Mary Astor, and after his death, Mary finds out she’s pregnant. There’s quite a bit of conniving and lying, in the ensuing plot, making audiences wonder which lie is the titular lie. The script itself is weak, and Bette and Mary reportedly tried to improve it, making me wonder how lousy it was to begin with.
It’s Mary Astor who steals the show, earning a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She shows off her skills as a trained pianist, gives tough, sarcastic banter, and runs the gamut of of the emotions of pregnancy. She sobs at the thought of not being able to eat a pickle, frantically threatens to burn the house down, and is shown in the early stages of labor. Anyone watching this movie will be watching it for her, not for Bette Davis. It’s not Bette’s movie, and she gives an inarguably watered-down performance, making audiences wonder why George was torn between the two ladies in the first place.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Mary Astor movies here!
More Hattie McDaniel movies here!