SUSAN SLEPT HERE
US, 1954, 98 minutes, Colour.
Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Frances, Glenda Farrell, Alvy Moore, Horace Mc Mahon, Herb Vigran, Les Tremayne, Mara Lane, Rita Johnson, Maidie Norman.
Directed by Frank Tashlin.
Susan Slept Here is the slightest of comedies yet popular in its time – despite the fact that the Catholic Legion of Decency gave it a condemned rating allegedly for the suggestiveness of its title (others pointing out that they had no difficulty with a male, George Washington Slept Here).
Dick Powell plays a writer who was won an Oscar (the Oscar itself introducing the film and doing some of the commentary, especially about what happens to it in the author’s apartment). He is looking for a new subject and some police friends bring a young woman, a teenager, who has run away from home, to stay with him for a few days so that he can study her. She is played by a vivacious Debbie Reynolds.
When the author’s fiancee (he is described as 35, although Powell was 50 at the time of the film’s release), Anne Francis, somewhat dour and full of herself, phones and Susan answers the phone, we know that there is going to be trouble.
Susan becomes infatuated with the author, almost taking over the house, interacting with the maid and the author’s rather sardonic elderly friend, played by 30s star, Glenda Farrell.
From then on, there is a fair amount of ambiguity and suggestiveness, Susan falling in love with the author, he trying to keep her out of trouble, some farcical incidents in the house, some fantasy sequences – and he goes off to write a script after marrying her to keep her out of trouble.
If you can believe it, there is a happy ever after ending with the author and Susan.
The film was directed by Frank Tashlin, a cartoonist, who was to make quite a number of light comedies as well as a number of Jerry Lewis films.
1. A comedy, with suggestive to
nes, for 1954? In retrospect?
2. The issues of an older man, an underage girl, relationships, sexuality, marriage?
3. Colour photography, the light style and work of the director, a cartoonist, his later career?
4. The Oscar opening the film, comments, its place on the mantelpiece, feeling neglected?
5. Dick Powell as the author, his years in Hollywood, scriptwriter, the writing block? Allegedly 35, having a fiancee? His household, the maid, Maude and her influence? His discussions with the police, landing Susan, having her for several days, allegedly for research? The interactions, Susan as a live wire, in danger of compromising him? The issue of marriage, his going through it to protect her, wanting an annulment eventually? His relationship with Isabelle, her not being very happy with Susan’s presence?
6. The author, going off, leaving Susan, the attraction, his return, Susan and her growing up, her behaviour, manner, situations? Out on the town? Try to behave in a sophisticated manner?
7. The minor characters and their contribution, comic touches, the buddy from the war, sharing the war experience with the author, helping him with his career, eventually going to Washington to the Navy? Maude and her sardonic presence, criticisms, with Susan? The maid, her role in the household? The two police, the repartee, lending Susan to the author for a couple of days? The lawyer and his seriousness? His shrink? The neighbour?
8. Isabelle, haughty, glamorous, suspicious of Susan, their encounters, the discussions with the author?
9. The comic repartee? Of the period? The comic situations, – cartoon style?
