HILDA CRANE (1956). Director: Philip Dunne.
After two disastrous marriages and what she considers "failure" in New York City, Hilda Crane (Jean Simmons) returns to her home town and her mother and ponders her future. Her unaffectionate mother, Stella (Judith Evelyn), thinks she should forget all about romantic notions of "love" and settle for appearances, a marriage that is settled and stabled (and, perhaps, without passion). Should Hilda marry small-town guy Russell Burns? (The fact that Burns is not only rich and nice, but is played by handsome Guy Madison, must have made Hilda's indecision over the matter seem a little comical to some ladies in the audience.) Or should she settle for a more passionate relationship with her former teacher Jacques (Jean-Pierre Aumont) whom she apparently finds more exciting? Evelyn Varden almost steals the picture as Russell's termagant of a mother, who thinks Hilda is nothing but a tramp and isn't afraid to say so. Peggy Knudsen adds some bite as Hilda's blunt friend, Nell, and Jeannette MacDonald's sister Blossom Rock (AKA Marie Blake) is cast as Mrs. Crane's housekeeper. (Years later she played Grandmama on The Addams Family TV show.) The usually reliable Judith Evelyn doesn't quite seem to get a handle on how she should play her character. Hilda Crane is watchable and generally well-acted, but despite the occasional crisp or intelligent line, it's just comes off as a forgettable soap opera.
Verdict: Peyton Place Lite. **.
2 comments:
I never saw this because I wasn’t a Jean Simmons fan growing up, but I have come to appreciate her more and more — she was far more subtle an actress than a Lana, a Bette, a Joan or a Barbara Stanwyck, who captured my imagination as a child. But this looks like it is right up my alley. Give me a glossy soap opera and a pint or two of Hagen Dazs on a long lazy Sunday afternoon and I am in heaven. The supporting cast here looks first rate too.
- Chris
Yes, Chris, I get you! It's not a great movie but it IS enjoyable, and ice cream -- or pizza -- goes well with it. Simmons was not as dramatic as the ladies you mention but she got it across with her own style. Hope you enjoy this -- it might be on youtube.
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