DANGEROUS

US, 1935, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Bette Davis, Franchot Tone, Margaret Lindsay, Dick Foran.
Directed by Alfred E. Green.

A short film of the early thirties about an alcoholic actress being rehabilitated. The film has not worn well although it was a star vehicle for Bette Davis and won her her first Oscar. It is said that she deserved an Oscar the previous year,. 1933, for her performance in Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage. It is considered that this Oscar was a consolation prize. However, she was to win an Oscar in 1938 for her performance in Jezebel. She received many subsequent nominations, especially during her great popularity in the late thirties and early forties. Franchot Tone is the supporting male lead. The film is definitely Bette Davis's.

1. The significance of the title, its reference to her ,and her effect on people, an indication of themes?

2. Comment on the thirties' techniques, black and white photography, studio locations, photographic techniques, styles of acting?

3. How was the film a Bette Davis vehicle, its impact as such? The fact that she won an Oscar for her performance?

4. The initial introduction to Joyce an audience curiosity about her, the fact that she was down and out, her pride, her drinking? Her superstition, the jinx about her career? The fact of her talent and yet her failure? Her sense of desperation? Her reaction to people pitying her? Her puzzle about Bellowes?

5. How complex was Joyce's response to Bellowes? His seeking her out? his taking her home, the suspicions of his maid? Her own behaviour in his home, the ironic taunts, and yet the gratitude? The fighting, and yet the indications of love? The building-up of tension for Bellowes and for herself?

6. The importance of Joyce’s' husband and his intervention in her life? The interaction between husband and wife? The effect on Bellowes?

7. The build-up of the financial investment in the play? People pinning their faith in her, her collapse, the challenge to her determination, the fact that she could succeed? The emotional conflict for her success? her husband her dependence on Bellowes?

8. Her love for him? How interesting a character was Bellowes? His relationship with Gayle? with Joyce as an actress, his return?

9. Why did he try to help her? Pity? The effect of Joyce on him and his not being able to live his life well, the financial troubles, money for the play?

10. The character of Gayle and her family? Relationship with Bellowes, the effect of his relationship with Joyce?

11. The marriage? Prudence? What was Bellowes left with at the end? strong? how weak a character, how
ruthlessly had Joyce treated him?

12. How insightful a study of a woman, a melodramatic plot?