RKO Radio Pictures
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Directed by Sidney Lumet
This is a polarizing film, loved or hated depending on how you feel about Susan Strasberg's performance. I will say upfront I loved her, and the film. One has to remember that she is playing a young, stage struck girl, who did Shakespeare in a high school in Vermont. The very opening scenes of the film show her wandering, mouth agape, under the Broadway marquees. In this respect, she played the part to perfection. She is supposed to be reciting Shakespeare on a balcony, supposed to be idealistic, supposed to be different than every other Broadway actress. And there is the relationship with Henry Fonda. There was little chemistry between them, but Fonda took advantage when opportunity presented itself and felt bad afterwards. As for Strasberg, she knew him from theatre magazines and again true to character, was stage struck. If anything I thought Fonda was miscast. I would have preferred a slightly sleazier character. Christopher Plummer, who was obviously better suited for her, instead finds himself unable to win her love. The reasons are complicated and generally unspoken, other than "Shakespeare had a miserable home life". If you are looking for a Hollywood happy ending, it isn't here. Perhaps another reason the film is generally forgotten and even hated today by the masses.
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