THE SECOND TIME AROUND
US, 1961, 99 minutes, Colour.
Debbie Reynolds, Steve Forrest, Andy Griffith, Juliet Prowse, Thelma Ritter, Isabel Elsom.
Directed by Vincent Sherman.
The Second Time Around is best described as a Debbie Reynolds vehicle. Debbie Reynolds was always a lively presence in films, right from the beginning in such films as The Daughter of Rosie O’ Grady and Two Weeks With Love. She emerged centre-screen in Singin’ in the Rain. She appeared in a number of MGM musicals but, at the end of the 50s with the demise of the musical, she appeared in many comedies. This is one of the best – and typical of her. She is a widow with two children, leaves New York, goes to Arizona, sets up a ranch, becomes the mayor. She has two leading men vying for her attention: Steve Forrest and a young Andy Griffith. There is humorous support from Thelma Ritter, as always.
1. The meaning of the titte, reference to marriage, to Lucretia?
2. How well did the film combing the conventions of the Western, the comedy, the period drama?
3. The importance of the photography, colour, locations, the West and its scenery, towns? Musical background?
4. How credible was the plot? The role of the young woman in the west, the western conventions and characters, her behaviour, the search for gold, becoming sheriff? Did the reality of the plot matter?
5. How attractive a character was Lu? As a widow in New York, her relationship with her children, with her mother-in-law? Her hopes for the west, her arrival and failure to get a job with Jones, the attentions of Collins? The importance of her work with Aggie and the film’s collage of all her hard working efforts? Her settling into the town? Her gaining the attention of both Collins and Jones? Her falling for Jones, the search for gold, the question about roasxy and his role as sheriff? Her standing for election and winning, her strength in standing up to the criminal element? Her final love for Jones and the children coming out? The screenplay for a heroine of the west? Debbie Reynold’s contribution to this role and making it attractive and believable?
6. Hour conventional a smooth gambling man of the west was Jones? the humorous touches in his portrayal, his fear of her being a widow and with children? His relationship with Rena, his devising the gold search in order to woo Leucria? Her reaction to him, imprisonment and final help? The contrast with the character of Collins? The homespun man of the west, dependant on his mother, paying court, yet attracted to Rena?
7. The minor characters, especially Aggie as the tough elderly woman of the west, with the kind heart? Her helping of Lu especially with money and with the law? Rena and the town dance and her devotion to Collins? Mrs Rodgers and her harsh attitude to her daughter-in-law?
8. The people of he town, the sheriff and his harshness, his bullying of the Mexicans, of the Indians? His standing up to Lu and her reaction towards him?
9. How well did the film explore the themes of the west, of frontier land, survival, law and justice? The particular emphasis on women and their role and their rights? A satisfying comedy western?
