THE STAR
(20th Century-Fox) HE new Bette Davis film, directed by Stuart Heisler, is the story of a faded film star who can’t bring herself to believe she will never again be the public’s darling. Even more than in The Intruder, the ending is the least convincing part-or maybe I’m just becoming a sourpuss. On the other hand, Miss Davis carries us along with her so completely almost all the way that we seem very close to her, especially when she is suffering, though the character she portrays could hardly be more remote from our experience. It’s the sort of part that only an experienced actress could play well, and she really lets herself go in it. Often not quite sure herself whether she is sincere or merely acting a part, her film star talks to her agent, visits her daughter in her ex-husband’s home, throws out her sponging relatives, gets drunk and goes to jail, is rescued by a boat mechanic (Sterling Hayden) she once gave a part in a film, takes a job in a store, and in an absorbing studio sequence makes her bid for a comeback. This is a Bette Davis film. She hasn’t
forgotten a thing. No one else really has a look in, but with her about no one seems to need one.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19540702.2.45.1.3
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 780, 2 July 1954, Page 20
Word count
Tapeke kupu
219THE STAR New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 780, 2 July 1954, Page 20
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in