GOODBYE RAGGEDY ANN
US, 1971, 75 minutes, Colour.
Mia Farrow, Hal Holbrook, John Colicos, Martin Sheen, Ed Flanders.
Directed by Fielder Cook.
Goodbye Raggedy Ann is an early '70s telemovie. It is an effective brief portrait of a successful star who is wilful, self-preoccupied, depressive - and the possibilities for her growing up. Mia Farrow is excellent in the central role. Her performance is a tour de force of the spoilt wilful actress. She gets excellent support from the laconic Hal Holbrook as a sympathetic writer, John Colicos as a wealthy businessman, Martin Sheen as a brash agent, Ed Flanders as the man who loves her but is unwilling to give up his wife.
The film is a short story - a focus on the actress and her crisis. As such, it is well and authentically done. It is directed by Fielder Cook whose credits range-from movies (Prudence and the Pill, George C. Scott's Beauty and the Beast) to telemovies(The Hands of Cormac Joyce).
1. The portrait of a wilful film star in short story fashion? Americana? Stardom, failure, depression, the possibility of change and growth?
2. Authentic atmospheres, location photography? The world of film and television? Apartments, parties? Unemployment? Affluence?
3. The title and its symbolism? Brooke’s love for her Raggedy Ann doll, Harlan's rejection of it, Brooke's throwing it away at the end - the symbol of her growing up?
4. The portrait of Brooke - the opening wilfulness with Paul, her demands on Harlan to drive her, her moodiness, summoning David and demanding surprises, the instability of her relationships, men loving her, her erratic response? Unemployment? The support of Louise, especially with the letter from her father and the family cutting her off? Her agent and his trying to get her jobs? The initial failures? The success? Her relationships - taking Harlan for granted, imposing on him, falling in love with him, his advice - and her following it? David and his devotion, his unwillingness to give up his wife, their outings, her using him to get away from Paul Jameson, the trip together, the realisation of the truth and her leaving him? The whirl with Paul Jameson, ringing him, the dramatics with him in the restaurant, her drinking, the party, her wilful behaviour, driving him away? Her reliance on Jules? His bad news about the executives not wanting her in the programme? The confrontation with reality - with the backing of Louise, Harlan? her decision not to go to her family, to break free - goodbye Raggedy Ann?
5. Harlan and his work as a writer, seedy, not succeeding - sardonic, yet with self-knowledge? His devotion to Brooke, driving her around? Her dependence on him? The relationship, support, her work in the film, the screening, the news of her failure, his support, giving her a future?
6. David as a genial man, his broken marriage, love for Brooke, fearful of telling his wife the truth, taking Brooke away, her leaving him?
7. Paul Jameson and his style, wealth, the infatuation with Brooke, his confidence in loving her, yet his fear? Puzzled by her behaviour, the party, Louise's advice, his moving in a different world, his leaving?
8. Louise and her friendship, support, understanding?
9. The portrait of a 1970s star (Mia Farrow style)? Pressures, family, self-image, self-confidence, monstrous and petty behaviour, using people, tantrums? The need the grow up?
