FOREVER FEMALE
US, 1953, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Ginger Rogers, William Holden, Paul Douglas, James Gleason, Pat Crowley.
Directed by Irving Rapper.
Forever Female is an adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s play Rosalind by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein. It is a pleasing, if somewhat acidic, show? business comedy-drama. Commentators in the 50s noted its similarity to All About Eve. However, it is rather low-key compared with that film. The stars are effective in their roles and Pat Crowley made her debut in the film.
1. A pleasant romantic comedy-drama with show business background? A film of the '50s? Now?
2. Production values: black and white photography, the atmosphere of Broadway and theatre? Affluent society?
3. The conventions of the show business film: performances, backstage jealousies, writers and their crises, romances, star power and ambition etc.? How well were these used? With originality?
4. The plausibility of the plot: the opinionated writer and his wanting success? His arrogance and criticism? The ageing actress and her ambitions and unreality? The ambitious young actress - who will possibly turn into the same kind of star? The patient producer-husband in the background? The conventional characters in the background of the theatre? Credible interaction?
5. The focus on Stanley Krown: his self-importance, naivety, the interest shown in his play, the background of the play with conflict between mother and daughter? His talking in the hotels, people listening to him, criticising him? Harry Philips' interest? Sally and her love for Stanley, criticising him? Beatrice fascinated with the play, adapting the central role to suit herself, leading Stanley on? The engagement? The holiday hideout? Her facing the truth and confronting Stanley? His accepting reality? The sketch of the transformation of the arrogant young man?
6. Ginger Rogers playing the older actress? Her performances on stage, glamour and star quality? Parties and society? Her unwillingness to face her age? Her love for Harry and leading him on a string? Her tampering with the play, getting Stanley's affections, controlling things? The engagement? The failure of the play? Her seeming ridiculous? Her story to Stanley but going to the country hideout? Her facing the truth? Contriving that Sally should perform the part? Getting Stanley and Harry to see it? The happy ending and her playing the mother's role?
7. Sally as the outspoken ambitious young actress, love for Harry, criticisms of the play? Her tantrums? Reaction to Beatrice? Her performance in the country and the discussions with Beatrice? Her taking on the role? Success and romance?
8. Paul Douglas' easy style as the Broadway producer, Beatrice's ex-husband, interested in business, easygoing, worrying as well? A pleasant performance of a stereotype?
9. The range of theatrical supporting characters - American style wisecracks, one-liners, humour? Giving atmosphere to the film?
10. Themes of theatre: reality and unreality? The creative mind? Arrogance? Performance and big business? Star tantrums? Ironic comments on theatre, reality and unreality?
