PAULA

US, 1952, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Loretta Young, Kent Smith, Alexander Knox, Tommy Rettig.
Directed by Rudolph Mate.

Paula is a brief emotional melodrama, a star vehicle for Loretta Young, prior to her retirement. She had won the Oscar in 1947 for The Farmer's Daughter. The emphasis is on a glamorous star enacting a would-be mother role, compounded by the overtones of hit run accident, orphan, deaf boy learning and overcoming resentment. There is a competent supporting cast directed by Rudolph Mate, former photographer who made many genre films in the '40s and '50s: action, westerns, romances.

1. The impact of the emotional drama? The elements of soap opera? How superior to soap opera? The blend of sentiment and authentic feeling?

2. The brevity of the running time, a Loretta Young vehicle, a piece of Americana, 1950s style? Black and white photography, score?

3. Paula and the miscarriage situation? Her sadness, pretending for her husband, the doctor's fears, questions of adoption. her husband's career improving and this curbing her eagerness? Her visits to other doctors? Holding the baby in the reception room? The mixed reactions towards motherhood and the loss of motherhood?

4. Her going to the reception for her husband, the fast driving, overtaking Mr. Bascomb in the truck, the accident and Bascomb's blaming her, bending over Davey and the focus on the necklace? Her finding it impossible to follow Bascomb? Going to the party? Finding it impossible to tell her husband? The cover-up and yet not fixing the car etc.? Her going to work in the hospital, enquiring about Davey, seeing him and offering to help? Audience sympathy for Paula in this situation?

5. Her beginning to teach. her success, John and his initial disapproval, the humour of the bath sequence, the taping of the lessons, Davey's getting to know her and improving?

6. The role of the doctor: His concern about Paula, advice to John, allowing Paula to help. curious about her interest in Davey, discussions with the police, helping Paula. explaining the situation to the police? Strong friendship?

7. John and the university world, his becoming Dead, the avoiding of scandal? His growing attachment to Davey?

8. Davey as orphan, hurt, quiet, in the hospital, being helped, the lessons, improving, the harsh encounter with the kids in the park, being rescued by Paula? The discovery of the truth via the necklace? Paula defying him to learn to expose her? His drawings and trying to tell that Paula caused the accident?

9. The melodrama with Bascomb's arrival, the clash with Paula? Davey and the stairs and Paula saving him?

10. The background of the police work and the research?

11. The build up to Davey's exposing Paula, Paula’s readiness to give him up, Davey's declaration of love?

12. The impact of the film and its basic story, the delineation of characters, themes, guilt and responsibility,
help and love?