THE SAXON CHARM
US, 1948, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne, Audrey Totter, Harry Morgan, Harry von Zell, Cara Williams, Chill Wills, Heather Angel.
Directed by Claude Binyon.
It is not surprising to find that The Saxon Charm was not a box office success in its day. It is a very dialogue-driven film and a portrait of a megalomaniac. The film offers it tour-de-force performance from Robert Montgomery as the central character, completely self-absorbed, a theatre producer and director, arrogant and presumptuous, treating everybody as beneath him.
He takes on a young playwright, John Payne, and promises to produce his play while all the time leading the playwright on, tinkering with the text, getting to do continual rewrites. His wife is played by Susan Hayward who is alert to the truth of Saxon’s personality. The other central character is a singer, played by Audrey Totter, who is in love with Saxon.
The film is certainly an interesting character study, audiences continually aghast at Saxon and his behaviour, his comments, his treatment of people, leading to betrayal, lies, his being unmasked by the central characters but at the end of the film, starting all over again with a new playwright.
One of the best scenes involves Audrey Totter with Saxon directing her in a nightclub as to how to get the most effect from her singing and her presence. It does give an indication that Saxon does have some genius talents. And, later in the film, Audrey Totter has the opportunity to perform the song again.
The film was written and directed by Claude Binyon, former journalist, writer of a number of light Hollywood films during the 1940s.
1. The title? Expectations? Charm as attraction? Charm as casting a spell, evil spell?
2. Postwar US, the 1940s, drama, characters, the world of the theatre, agents, writers?
3. New York, black-and-white photography, apartments, clubs, theatre? The water and the island? The yacht and travel? Mexico, the club? The musical score?
4. Eric, his war service, the success of his novels, his first play, the focus on Moliere? His love for Janet? Their life, hopes?
5. Robert Montgomery as Saxon, a sinister and ingratiating performance? Saxon and his reputation, theatre, producer, director? His collaboration with his staff, Hermie and his absolute devotion? The secretary – and her leaving after not being paid? The gradual revelation of his character, arrogance, presumptions, absolute commands, time and appointments, overriding people, imperious behaviour?
6. Eric and his hopes, the interview with Saxon, waiting, unsure? His being summoned, discovering that he was approved, the presence of the producer and his wanting to make money? The invitation to the club, for Janet to come, Alma’s presence? The producer and his blonde wife and expectations? Saxon and his behaviour at the restaurant, throwing things on the floor, walking out? The embarrassment for everyone?
7. Eric and his working with Saxon, the number of rewrites, the discussions, the passing of time, the energy? Saxon and his control, ideas, the meetings, the effect? Janet being upset? Invited back and meeting Alma, their friendship? Her warning Eric about Saxon?
8. Saxon and his deals, the current play, directing? Janet and Eric going to the island, the break, swimming? The arrival of the boat? The notices being sent, the play being a failure? The effect on Saxon?
9. Alma, in love with Saxon, pleasant, her singing, the important scene of Saxon directing her how to sing the song with best effect – and her later using it?
10. Saxon, the boat, the interactions with the Captain, the destruction of the boat? Saxon and extravagance and no consequences?
11. Further plans, the betrayals, the promise to Alma to go to Hollywood and his undermining her?
12. Plans for Eric, going to visit the star in Los Angeles, borrowing the large amount of money, the further lies about what it happened there?
13. The actor and the producer visiting Eric, reading the original play, the agreement to produce it? Janet and her intervention, the return?
14. Saxon, living in his own world, exploiting everyone, no conscience, narcissistic? His hypocritical stances – contacting the playwright, his starting the whole process again?
