THE HELEN MORGAN STORY

US, 1957, 118 minutes, Black and white.
Ann Blyth, Paul Newman, Richard Carlson, Gene Evans, Alan King, Cara Williams.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.

The Helen Morgan Story is of interest as yet another biopic of a popular singing star of the '20s and an example of Paul Newman's early acting career. Helen Morgan was a torch singer in Prohibition days and appeared in Showboat on Broadway. She appeared in such films as Applause in 1930 and reprised her role as Julie in the 1935 film version of Showboat. In 1955 James Cagney and Doris Day had success in Love Me Or Leave Me, the picture of Ruth Etting, a torch singer with racketeer connections. The Helen Morgan Story is in this vein though not nearly as successful. Ann Blyth, an attractive actress and singer, is dubbed by Gogi Grant for this film. Paul Newman does what he can with a gangster role - which seems somewhat implausible. The film was directed by Michael Curtiz, a director who turned his hand to all kinds of genres, and made several of Doris Day's musicals as well as the drama with Kirk Douglas, Young Man With A Horn. Several screenwriters receive credit for the screenplay - which may indicate difficulties in writing the film; it certainly appears to be sketchy and an outline of a film rather than an in-depth exploration of a character and her times.

1. The popularity of the biopic - the star, show business, career, failure, relationships? Audience expectation of this kind of film? How successful this example?

2. The traditions of the story of stars - A Star Is Born as the basic plot? The rise after hard beginnings, peak of success, failure? The atmosphere of the '20s and Prohibition. gangsters? Goals of success on Broadway? The conventions - and cliches? The mixture of fact and fiction? The seamy side of life? The impact of this kind of film in the '50s, now?

3. Black and white photography, creation of the period, the musical score and its quality, its placement for thews throughout the film? Ann Blyth being dubbed?

4. The portrait of Helen Morgan - audience knowledge of her and her career, symbolising the hard-struggling actress of the '20s? Ann Blyth and her presence? Helen Morgan's origins, working with Larry at the sideshow in Chicago, being stood up by him and her love for him? Mixing with the gangs, Prohibition, the speakeasies in the cities? Auditions, success with the help of Larry? Her being persuaded to go into the Queen of Canada competition and the discovery of the fraud? The encounter with Russell Wade and what it led to? Greater success, her own club with Russell's money? The raids - and gangsters tipping off the police? Her opportunity in Showboat, her world tour? The difficulties of her personal relationships - love-hate for Larry? His using her and leaving her? Russell and his wife? Her turning to drink? Her decision to get the doctor for Larry after the shoot-out and his going to prison? Her collapse and his visiting her in hospital? The sentimental ending? Fact and fiction? The strengths and weaknesses of the screenplay - a sketch or a portrait of an actress? How much insight? How much conventional material?

5. How well did the film fill in the background of the '20s and Prohibition? The role of the law? The bootleggers? Deals, cover-ups, customs? Police raids and imprisonment, the law? The prison sequence - with Helen in prison (and the comic woman there) and the contacts with Wade? The pros and cons of Prohibition?

6. The show business story - the humble origins, auditions, the selection of songs (especially from Showboat)? The Showboat songs with reference to Larry? Ziegfeld and his presence in New York? Helen and her success in the show – her drinking and collapse?

7. Larry and his work at the carnival, his love for Helen and leaving her? The Canada deal and transporting the liquor? His connections, rise to success, friendship with Ben? The deal with Wade for the setting up of the club? The raids? The other women and his ignoring Helen, his visit to her in her apartment? The plan and the shoot-out? Imprisonment, the visit to the hospital? How plausible his arranging the tribute at the end? Paul Newman's presence and style?

8. The character of Russell - as judge on the Queen of Canada competition, his dating of Helen, his wife and her later visit? His being persuaded to set up the club by Larry? Helen's discovery of the truth? The up-and-coming lawyer with shady background?

9. Ben and his friendship with Larry, Dolly and her getting Ben to marry her? The support for Helen?

10. The portrait of the police, the action against Prohibition? The friendly policeman and his allowing Larry to visit Helen in hospital?

11. The themes of the need for success, gifts for entertainment, broken relationships, the stress of circumstances, failure in life, the possibilities for success? An American story?