“At The Movies and All About Eve (as in Arden)” Vol. III, No. 1 January 2022

By Stephanie Mardesich

It’s a new year and time of resolutions and assessing status quo from attitudes to relationships, who to fraternize with, who to trust, who to share time with.

The 1951 movie All About Eve starring Bette Davis as silver screen diva Margo Channing, with stellar supporting cast, comes to mind as a cautionary tale. It’s about ambitious aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) who appears innocuous yet ingratiatingly schemes to take over the role of the “diva.” Calculating and cold she’s the archetype charlatan and mistress of deception. Though she appears to triumph in the end it’s those she’s tread upon who are actually the victors because they still have their integrity. The film garnered 14 Academy Award® nominations and six wins, though Davis lost “Best Actress” Oscar® to Judy Holiday (Born Yesterday). As Margo declares to her party guests in, one of the most memorable cinematic lines of all time, “Buckle your seat belts it’s going to be a bumpy ride”, an indication of the invidious story of Eve, be warned and beware of her type of subtle treachery. To assess for yourself click here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042192/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Enough of the egregious as a prelude to this month’s movie line up featuring esteemed actress, the “real” Eve as in Arden, whose career extended from stage, to radio, silver screen and television, Arden is probably most remembered for the endearing 1950s television series Our Miss Brooks.

“Classy”, consistent (this lady worked all the time, and raised four children in a happy marriage), reliable in whatever the role, more comedic than dramatic, sometimes caustic, garnered an Oscar® nod for Best Supporting Actress (Mildred Pierce, 1946) and many Emmys and other accolades. Often cast as “best pal” girlfriend, good sport, witty (if not sarcastic) assistant, in other words not the “leading lady” or love interest, she was quite attractive and had a wonderful screen presence.

Unbuckle your seat belt for a smoother ride and enjoy some well known and more obscure movies that aren’t all about Eve, just a way to appreciate the talented actress Eve Arden in so many varied roles.

Stage Door (USA, RKO Radio Pictures, 1937, 92 min., dir. Gregory LaCava)

Adapted from hit stage play features a starry cast in this story of aspiring actresses residing in a boarding house coping with ambition, dreams, rejection in their struggle to gain the limelight. Wealthy society gal Tracy Randall (Katharine Hepburn) denying her pedigree to break into the theatre scene on her own, undermined by her father’s intervention. Her sassy roommate Jean Maitland (Ginger Rogers) has to dodge the “casting couch” and the other girls all have their trials and tribulations. It’s a talented array of beauty and charm including: Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Andrea Leeds, Ann Miller, Gail Patrick. Four Oscar® nominations with “Best Supporting Actress” nod for Leeds.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029604/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Whistling In The Dark (USA, MGM, 1941, 78 min. dir. S. Sylvan Simon)

The operators of Silver Haven, a cultish group extorting money from gullible rich people is set to inherit a large sum after a deceased woman's heir also dies. Dubious leader Joseph Jones (Conrad Veidt) decides to hurry the process and kidnaps Wally Benton (Red Skelton) aka "The Fox", a radio sleuth who solves murders on the air, and his fiancé Carol Lambert (Ann Rutherford) to realize his goal. Jones wants Wally to devise a perfect murder and isn't beyond killing others along the way to achieve his foolproof murder plot. Eve Arden as Buzz Baker, Virginia Grey a(Fran Post) and Rags Ragland (Sylvester Conway) add to the high jinks. Franz Waxman score. Two sequels Whistling In Dixie, Whistling In Brooklyn followed. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034389/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_80

Ziegfeld Girl (USA, MGM, 132 min., dir. Robert Z. Leonard, & Busby Berkeley-musical numbers)

Florenze Ziegfeld earned and maintains his reputation as one of the great theatrical producers, primarily Broadway in NYC, of all time. His “creation” of “the Ziegfeld Girl” for annual “Follies” (from 1907-31) lingers still, from the past century, as the icon of feminine beauty with the memorable theme song “A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody.” Ergo the dream of becoming a “Ziegfeld Girl” was something many young women aspired to. This movie focuses on three aspiring for fame and stardom, though with varied intent: Irish “Red” elevator operator Sheila Regan (Lana Turner), “born in a trunk” Vaudevillian Susan Gallagher (Judy Garland), stunning European beauty Sandra Kolter (Hedy Lamar)

We never see Mr. Ziegfeld (though you can in the lavish MGM bio film The Great Ziegfeld - 1936 - that starred William Powell in title role). It’s his representative Noble Slade (Edward Everett Horton) who approaches and secures the

talent. Crooner Frank Merton (Tony Martin) adds to the glamour with song pursuing Sandra, who is only displaying “At

herself on stage to bring in money to support her virtuoso violinist husband, and Susan loyal to her Pop (Charles Winninger) reluctant to break up the act, though ultimately the allure of Ziegfeld is impossible to resist.

As former Ziegfeld Girl Patsy Dixon Eve Arden has brief screen time, though she’s glamorous and her presence is significant for the lines of advice she delivers to Sheila, whose vulnerability has been eclipsed by the ardor she’s received, while she’s being pursued by elegant man about town Geoffrey Collis (Ian Hunter) though she still cares for her Flatbush beau Gilbert Young (James Stewart) her in her no nonsense snappy manner. Qualified cast includes Felix Bressart, Jackie Cooper, a very young Dan Daily. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034415/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Cover Girl (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1944, 107 min., dir. Charles Vidor)

Red-headed dancer Rusty Parker (Rita Hayworth) is part of the chorus at Danny McGuire's (Gene Kelly) night club in unfashionable Brooklyn. Sweet and humble yet with aspiration for Broadway and stardom, she and Danny are in love. Part of friendly trio including Genius (Phil Silvers) they frequently end an evening at local oyster looking for the elusive pearl.

Rusty enters a contest to be a 'Cover Girl' as a stepping-stone in her career. When he interviews Rusty publisher John Coudair (Otto Kruger), is immediately reminded of his lost love, showgirl Maribelle Hicks (played by Hayworth in flashback sequence) who Rusty more than resembles – it’s like she her incarnation. John and Maribelle were engaged although his wealthy society mother shunned the idea and Maribelle eloped with a piano player leaving John at the altar. In spite of some objections by Coudair’s wise cracking aide de camp Cornelia Jackson (Eve Arden at her most glamorous) Rusty wins the contest and her life becomes a glamorous whirlwind of attention.

It turns out Rusty is Maribelle granddaughter and Coudair is smitten all over again, though nothing untoward, in fact Rusty is avidly pursued by Coudair's much younger pal wealthy theatrical producer Noel Wheaton (Lee Bowman). He produces a lavish musical starring Rusty, surrounded by top models, real cover girls of the mid 1940's. Her success at first escalates Danny’s club, then his ego interferes and Rusty walks out. The club is deserted and Danny and sidekick Genius leave New York and entertain soldiers fighting in World War II.

Dazzled by the attention from press and public, and Neal’s ardor Rusty agrees to marry him though in truth her heart belongs to Danny. Repeating the past, she ditches Neal reunites with Danny to the beguiling song “Long Ago and Far Away.” The Jerome Kern music and songs, dancing, glamorous models and costumes, and aura of romance, with comic relief from Silvers are charming fun. Five Oscar® nods with one win for “Best Music, Scoring of A Musical Picture. “Long Ago and Far Away” lost to “Swing On A Star” from Going My Way. Many good tunes that year, though the former should have won! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036723/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Personal note: I’ve loved this movie since seeing as a child on the telly and at @age 10 met the screenwriter Marion Parsonnet, who adapted the screenplay, though wrote the script for Gilda probably Hayworth’s most memorable role. Mr. Parsonnet was involved in real estate transaction with my late father and at the time and I didn’t realize exactly who he was and his stature in Hollywood. Would I have loved to have spent time with him to hear his stories of Hollywood, and would have sought him out, though sadly he passed away rather young at age 55.

Mildred Pierce (USA, Warner Bros., 1945, 111 min., dir. Michael Curtiz)

Adapted from James Cain novel with screenplay by Ranald MacDougal and William Faulkner, in spite of many changes from Cain’s original story the film reveals struggle of title character Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford), her fierce ambition, diligent work ethic, maternal/filial rivalry and treachery with dark under and overtones.

Mildred is the original single parent when she and husband Bert (Bruce Bennett) split and she works ardently to keep high standard for her two daughters: prima donna Veda (Ann Blyth) and younger Moire “Ray” (no credit available) who dies very young. Mildred takes a job as waitress thanks to support from restaurant owner Ida Corwin (Eve Arden) and baking pies on the side, to chagrin of snobbish Veda. Though Wally Fay (Jack Carson) would marry her in a minute Mildred takes up with more dashing playboy Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott) and marries him. Now immensely financially successful she could afford to work less, however it’s her ethic over personal interests. Unbeknownst to her the rogue Monte and egoist Veda have an affair that doesn’t end well, and Mildred is once again facing the truth of her life and tough decisions.

Six Oscar® nods includes Arden for “Best Supporting Actress”; and win for Crawford “Best Actress.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037913/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3

Our Miss Brooks (USA, Warner Bros., 1956, 85 min., dir. Al Lewis)

Building on the momentum of popular TV show (1952-56) Eve Arden is the star in the cinematic tale of how high school English teacher Constance “Connie” Brooks (Arden) arrived at Madison High School and became tenant of Mrs. Davis (Jane Morgan) with other familiar characters from the beloved program: Principal Osgood Conklin (Gale Gordon), his daughter Harriet (Gloria McMillan) her rather dopey beau with the nasal twang (annoying) voice Walter Denton (Richard Crenna) and of course “heartthrob” biology teacher Mr. Boynton (Robert Rockwell). Ever hopeful to get Mr. Boynton to the altar Connie has a challenge in setting a recalcitrant student Gary Nolan (Nick Adams) on track with supportive opposition of his tycoon father Lawrence (Don Porter) expressing amorous intentions that get Mr. Boynton to take heed and pop “the question.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048459/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_47

Anatomy Of A Murder (USA, Columbia Pictures, 1959, 161 min., dir. Otto Preminger)

Humble small-town lawyer Paul Biegler (James Stewart) takes up the defense of and USA Army Lt. Frederick Manion (Ben Gazzara) who’s been arrested for the murder of a bartender Barney Quill who Manion claims had raped and beaten up his wife Laura (Lee Remick). Laura supports her husband's story, however the local paper reports that the police surgeon can find no evidence that she was been raped. Manion pleads "not guilty.”

Aware his case is weak Biegle tries to find evidence that will save Manion.

During the course of interviews Biegler discovers that Manion is violently possessive and jealous, and that his wife has a reputation for flirting with other men. He realizes that the prosecution will try convince the court that Laura had been drunk and was picked up by the bartender, then her husband killed him and beat her up when he discovered they had been together.

When opposing counsel Claude Dancer (George C. Scott) enters the picture the plot becomes more complicated with his legal skirmishing with Biegler making serious material come to life in an interesting way. Biegler’s faithful and insightful secretary Maida Rutledge (Eve Arden) adds wry humor and some amusement without with out detracting from focus of the story. Excellent supporting cast includes Arthur O’Donnell, Orson Bean, Murray Hamilton, Howard McNear. Film deservedly garnered seven Academy Award® nominations – no wins - it was stellar year in film with much competition. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052561/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Dark At The Top Of The Stairs (USA, Warner Bros., 1960, 124 min., dir. Delbert Man)

Based on the 1957 Broadway play by William Inge (Picnic among other great works), story is set in Oklahoma in the 1920s. Rubin Flood (Robert Preston) loses his job as a traveling salesman when company he works for goes bankrupt. This adds to his worries at home. His wife Cora (Dorothy McGuire) is cold and distant troubled by trying to make ends meet. Their teenage daughter Reenie (Shirley Knight) is timid and shy about boys, yet eventually makes friends with a troubled Jewish boy cadet Sammy Golden (Lee Kinsolving). Rubin considers his son “a mama's boy” and is generally frustrated. Cora desperately asks her sister Lottie (Eve Arden) to visit, and she attempts to help Cora and boost her niece’s confidence.

Acting on a rumor Cora falsely accuses Rubin of having an affair with local hairdresser Mavis Pruitt (Angela Lansbury) and though he calls on her, and Mavis is interested in more than friendship, he reveals to her that he loves his wife and nothing transpires. Reenie’s friend Sammy is target of anti-Semitism and ends up in fatal car crash. Rubin consoles her, gives his son some masculine advice and boxing lessons, and film closes with he and Cora ascending stairs to their bedroom. Academy Award® “Best Supporting Actress nod for Knight. Musical score by Max Steiner ever compelling, to punctuate the action. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053750/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl

Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)