'Cynthia' is a 1947 drama starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Astor, George Murphy, Gene Lockhart, Spring Byington and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. Cynthia (played by Taylor) is a 15 year old who gets sick often and lives with her overprotective parents. She befriends a dog, but is unable to keep it, due to being allergic to dogs. After the landlord puts the family home up for sale, Cynthia's parents are forced to chose whether they should attempt to purchase the home or move away. The film's musical program features some memorable MGM songs including "Buckledown Winsockie" from 'Best Foot Forward' (1943) and "The Trolley Song" from 'Meet Me In St. Louis' (1944).
Early example of feminism
This film is an early example of feminism in cinema. It is Cynthia's mother who dominates the relationship in her marriage. She is the one with the wealthy inheritance, she is the one who permits Cynthia to attend the prom, she is the one who makes the final decision on whether or not to buy the house, and she is the one who leads her husband through his journey of self discovery.
Closing remarks
'Cynthia' stats off rather slow with the first hour dragging on quite a bit, but it does get better. I think of 'Cynthia' as one of the original mean girls movies, with Cynthia's malicious cousin Fredonia deliberately sabotaging her chance at happiness at school. That is until Cynthia grows the courage to bite back. Elizabeth Taylor delivers a great performance in this film, and we are also treated to a rare singing appearance.
"You're confection, goodness knows... You're my honeysuckle rose.." - Lena Horne (as herself in 'Thousands Cheer')
The beautiful Lena Horne sings "Honeysuckle Rose"
'Thousands Cheer' is a 1943 MGM musical directed by George Sidney and starring Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Mary Astor, John Boles and Jose Iturbi. Many MGM stars make guest appearances in the film including: Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Lucille Ball, June Allyson, Mickey Rooney, Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, Frank Morgan, Virginia O'Brien, Gloria deHaven, Donna Reed, Margaret O'Brien, Marsha Hunt, Marilyn Maxwell and many more. The film was produced as a morale booster for World War II soldiers and their families. It was the perfect opportunity for MGM to showcase two of it's newest stars Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson in a big budget musical featuring guest appearances by many established stars. 'Thousands Cheer' begins as Kathryn Jones (played by Grayson) leaves Jose Iturbi's orchestra due to her military father, Colonel Bill Jones (played by Boles) being transferred. Whilst on the train, she meets Private Eddie Marsh (played by Kelly), a former trapeze artist drafted into the US Army. An attempt to reunite her separated parents backfires when her mother, Hyllary Jones (played by Astor) does not approve of Kathryn courting a soldier. The second storyline is the film is the preparation of a live variety show for soldiers to feature a cavalcade of MGM stars.
Hosted by Mickey Rooney, the variety show features the following program:
"Boogie Woogie" - Eleanor Powell
"In a Little Spanish Town" - Virginia O'Brien with June Allyson and Gloria deHaven
Comedy sketch with Frank Morgan, Lucille Ball, Ann Sothern and Sara Haden
"I Dug a Ditch in Wichita/Should I?" - Kay Kyser Orchestra
"Tico Tico" - Maxine Barrat and Don Loper
"Honeysuckle Rose" - Lena Horne
Comedy sketch with Red Skelton, Marilyn Maxwell, Donna Reed and Margaret O'Brien
"The Joint is Really Jumping Down at Carnegie Hall" - Judy Garland (with Jose Iturbi)
Musical highlights
Song: "The Joint is Really Jumpin' Down at Carnegie Hall" - Judy Garland
Song: "Honeysuckle Rose" - Lena Horne
Song: "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" - Gene Kelly (dancing with a mop)
Song: "Boogie Woogie" - Eleanor Powell
Song: "A Little Spanish Town" - Virginia O'Brien, June Allyson and Gloria deHaven
Did you know...
This was bandleader Jose Iturbi's first film appearance
This was both Gene Kelly and Eleanor Powell's first colour film
Cyd Charisse is featured as a dancer in the "Tico Tico" number
Eleanor Powell's "Boogie Woogie" number was originally filmed for 'Broadway Melody of 1943', which was abandoned before it was completed - the film was to costar Gene Kelly
The sequence where Gene Kelly dances with a map was the first time he choreographed a dance number in one of his films
Award nominations
Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
Academy Award nomination for Best Score
Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction
Closing remarks
Overall, a weak musical with a thin plot and forgettable musical numbers. The first 70 minutes are slow, with the film picking up during the variety show segment. The most memorable part of the film is seeing Gene Kelly dance with a mop (literally). That said, there are a few musical highlight's including Lena Horne's "Honeysuckle Rose", Judy Garland's "The Joint is Really Jumping Down in Carnegie Hall" and Kathryn Grayson's rendition of "Sempre Libera" from 'La Traviata'.
"Where you are I could spit in your eye with no strain at all." - Bette Davis (as Charlotte Hollis in 'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte') 'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte' is a 1964 horror thriller starring Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Victor Buono, Cecil Kellaway and Mary Astor. The gothic melodrama was directed and produced by Robert Aldrich. The film begins in 1927 at a party at the Hollis mansion in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. During the party John Mayhew (played by Bruce Dern) is murdered and decapitated. When Charlotte Hollis (played by Davis) returns to the party with blood on her dress, she is presumed to be the murderer. The film then jumps to 1964, with Charlotte still living in the mansion, still unmarried and still traumatised by the horrific murder of John Mayhey. When Charlotte's cousin Miriam (played by de Havilland) comes to stay, Charlotte's sanity deteriorates further as she is haunted by mysterious music playing during the night, and horrific hallucinations. In an attempt to prove her sanity, Charlotte is forced to fight against the plot of insanity tormenting her. Watch the trailer:
Whatever Happened to... Joan Crawford?
Joan Crawford on the set of
'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte'
before her sudden departure
Following the success of 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' in 1962, director Robert Aldrich planned to reunite the three stars of the film (Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono) in 'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte'. After a few days on the set, Joan Crawford quit the film amid claims she was unwell. There has been speculation the true reason why Crawford left was because she feared she would be upstaged once again by rival Bette Davis, who had done so in 1962 with an Oscar nomination for 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane'. After the role of Miriam was rejected by a number of well known actresses, Bette Davis suggested her friend Olivia de Havilland would be suitable.
The title song
The Oscar nominated title song, "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" became a hit for Patti Paige, where it reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Listen to Patti Paige's recording:
6 quick notes about the acting performances
Agnes Moorehead was nominated for an Oscar for her
performance as Velma Cruther
Bette Davis' exceptional dramatic performance as Charlotte is a cross between her Oscar winning performance in the southern epic 'Jezebel' (1938) with the gothic overtones of her Oscar nominated performance in 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' (1962)
Olivia de Havilland delivers an effective and natural portrayal of Miriam
Agnes Moorehead is brilliant as Charlotte's maid, Velma Cruther, and was rewarded with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress
Sadly Joseph Cotten's acting career has seen much better days
Victor Buono's appearance in the film is far too short to comment on
Screen legend Mary Astor delivers a memorable swan song in her final screen performance
Did you know...
After Joan Crawford's sudden departure, Vivian Leigh, Katherine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck and Lorreta Young all turned down the role of Miriam
The film was originally titled 'Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?'
Footage of the exterior of the Hollis mansion were shot on location in The Houmas in Louisiana, while the interior of the mansion were shot in Hollywood
Victor Buono, who plays Charlotte's father Sam Hollis is actually 30 years younger than Bette Davis (who plays Charlotte)
The film was nominated for 7 Oscars - at the time of release this was the most Oscar nomination a horror film had ever received
Bette Davis was paid $200,000 for her performance
This was Mary Astor's final screen film
Awards and nominations
Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Agnes Moorehead)
Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction in a black & white film
Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a black & white film
Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a black & white film
Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing
Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score
Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte")
Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting actress (Agnes Moorehead)
Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award winner for Best Motion Picture Screenplay
Closing remarks
'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte' is a chilling and gripping horror story of murder, insanity and deceit. While the overall film is well made and enjoyable to watch, the opening sequence in 1927 plays far too long.
I remember first watching 'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte' when I was about 15 years old, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Since then I have seen the film a number of times, yet never seem to tire of it. Of all the films starring Olivia de Havilland, this is the one which I've seen the most, and is possibly my favourite.
