DAISY KENYON

US, 1947, 99 minutes, Black and white.
Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Ruth Warrick, Martha Stewart, Peggy Ann Garner.
Directed by Otto Preminger.

Daisy Kenyon is soap opera, '40s style. It receives lavish treatment with its star cast led by a glamorous Joan Crawford with the solidity of Dana Andrews and Henry Fonda. It was also directed by Otto Preminger, who had moved into films in the mid-'40s with such successes as Laura and the controversial Forever Amber.

The film is in the 20th Century Fox style of the late '40s, a so-called `woman's picture' which still retains its interest because of the star presence and the style of film-making.

1. Entertaining romantic melodrama? Of the '40s? Soap opera of the period?

2. Black and white photography, glossy style, David Raksin's score, the power of the stars?

3. The moral stances of the '40s, relationships, fidelity, divorce? Moral themes? Moral focus?

4. Joan Crawford as Daisy Kenyon, her strong screen presence, seeing her at work, her relationships? Friendships? The relationship with Dan? His marriage? Out with him, kept waiting? The encounter with Peter, the meeting, the warm memories, the accident, the attraction? Her dilemma?

5. Daisy in herself, able to see Dan and his life more clearly, the build-up to the break, the job, friendship with Peter, the marriage? Growing, chance and the encounters with David? The contacts with Lucille, the phone calls and the consequences? The three meeting and facing the situation? Peter puzzled and her concern about him? The build-up to the court case, the break-up, the issue of the children? Daisy alone? The drive, the crash, seeing more clearly? Her future?

6. Dana Andrews as Dan, his work and career, his relationship with Daisy, visiting her, the expectations? His reputation, the law? His relationship with Lucille, the children? In-laws? Going out, covering up? The encounter with Peter and the taxi? The Washington appointment, the Japanese job, the pressure of his father-in-law, turning it down? The reconciliation with Daisy? The importance of his relationship with Lucille, her treatment of the children - background of child abuse? At home, the phone call, the clash? Meeting Daisy? The court case? His giving in, the divorce, the ending and his future?

7. Henry Fonda as Peter, the war experience, the meeting, liking Daisy, the background of his past, relationships, the making of boats? The outings with Daisy, in love with her? Marriage, the growth in love between them? His attitude towards the divorce, disappointment, respect for Daisy, his strategy and winning out?

8. The portrait of Lucille, the quality of her relationship with Dan, the spoilt marriage, her treatment of the children, bashing and child abuse? Her father and his dominance? The phone calls, overhearing? Hysterics? Behaviour in court?

9. The father-in-law, his expectations, the law?

10. Daisy and her friends, their support, their testimony in court?

11. The popular ingredients for a romance? Issues of fidelity and infidelity? Broken marriages? Child abuse? Careers? The treatment of these themes, '40s style?