Stage Struck (1958)

Fantastic!

An absolute waste of money

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I know this is a remake of Morning Glory with Katherine Hepburn however Henry Fonda is here as well as Susan Stasberg. Plummer has always been one of the greatest chacter Actors we've ever had. He was Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music and later Agatha Christie's 'Ordeal By Innonce' which includes Sarah Miles and then we see him playing John Barrymore and a Nazi who has forgotten he ever was one. Plummer is good at the Classics as well but some of his earlier works are not available. He has won one Academy Award but has been nominated several times. He gives life to animated characters in 'Up', 9 and others. Stage Struck is a great film, see if you can find it.

Some people are born with talent. Some can acquire it. Others can take all the lessons in the world, and still not grasp that elusive "it". And that's the problem with Susan Strasberg's performance: she clearly understands the nuances and subtleties of acting, but cannot connect that knowledge to the empathy and passion an actor must have to be believable in their role.When at the party, Eva Lovelace recites the balcony scene from "Romeo & Juliet", and the guests become transfixed, I was never sure if they were staring in awe or horror. Strasberg pauses and reflects on her words perfectly -- at these moments, one could believe she's Juliet watching and waiting for her lover's answers. But when she recites the words -- and a recitation is all it is -- the fire, the passion of Juliet for Romeo is non-existent. She could just as easily have been telling the doorman to call her a cab.The most interesting aspect of the film was in watching the various methods of acting being presented. Herbert Marshall (who started in silents and early talkies), Henry Fonda (who started in film in the 1930s) and Christopher Plummer (one of the new method actors) are all believable in their roles and mesh seamlessly together. Then there's Strasberg, who is incapable of presenting even a fraction of the range of any of her co-stars. (Frankly, I didn't make the connection between her and her father, and wondered who she knew to have secured the role.) The film is interesting as a curio piece, and Lumet's brilliance in portraying New York's scenery. But as a moving story about the theatre, it can't touch "All About Eve".

I had to keep reminding myself that this film was made in 1958, not in our day. It is "timelessly modern." It's not just another fantasy film about the backstage theater world. The acting is so real and emotions so true, you get caught up in every scene as if you are part of the film. Add the excellent photography and cinematography which seem ahead of their time, and you think you are watching a movie made half a century later.This is not all dreamy, and it is not all hardline: It is a perfect blend of both the aspirations of the heart, and the realities people must overcome to achieve them.The story itself has true personal appeal, as it combines dreams of stardom with down-to-earth human feeling. The directing and acting prove that a halfway decent script can be brought to life, exuding an appeal uncommon in any film of any era.Moreover, this is a fine example of how acting and directing can make a movie entertaining MINUS sleeze and vularity.

I was lucky enough to find this movie on TCM. There isn't any other way to see it since there are no DVD or VHS copies made as far as I can find. I found it amazing. Kaherine Hepburn has pretty much owned this story with her 1933 Acadamy Award winning performance of "Morning Glory" but I have to say (and I yield to no one in my admiration for the late Ms Hepburn) Susan Strasberg's performance was better. First allowance has to be made for changes in acting styles between 1933 and 1958 but looking at both versions now Katherine was good but Susan's performance was better and more compelling. As a matter of casting, Katherine isn't as good at portraying the vulnerable ingenue perhaps because her personality was so sharp even in her 20's. Anyway, keep an open mind, see both versions and decide for yourself ! You will enjoy them.