The Star **** (1952, Bette Davis, Sterling Hayden, Natalie Wood) – Classic Movie Review 2747

In Stuart Heisler’s 1952 romantic and Hollywood drama The Star, Bette Davis boldly takes on a role written for her arch-rival Joan Crawford, who then turned it down, about Margaret ‘Maggie’ Elliot, a has-been star who tries for a comeback. By 1962 they were both has-been stars who tried for a comeback – and they succeeded brilliantly with What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? – though that did mean they had to work together finally.

The clichés come thick and fast and the mundane writing and direction just show how good Sunset Boulevard and All about Eve are. But Oscar nominated Davis gives a fearless performance and is great in a brio turn of suffering humiliation and the realisation that she is over the hill and all washed-up, as she is forced to sell her property, is jailed for drunk driving and does an over-the-top sexy screen test.

Among those helping Davis out are Sterling Hayden as Jim Johannsen, the nice boat-builder and ship worker, who offers a hope for romance and happiness, and Natalie Wood as her young daughter Gretchen.

Johannsen, who back in the day got his big break in Hollywood movies through Maggie, with the stage name of Barry Lester, has quit acting to work as a boat parts supplier and mechanic. Luckily, Johannsen re-enters Maggie’s life just as she is hitting rock bottom. 

Also in the cast are Warner Anderson, Minor Watson, June Travis, Katherine Warren, Kay Riehl, Barbara Woodel, Fay Baker, Barbara Lawrence, David Alpert and Paul Frees.

The Star is directed by Stuart Heisler, runs 90 minutes, is made by Bert E Friedlob Productions, released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Katherine Albert and Dale Eunson (original screenplay), is shot in black and white by Ernest Laszlo, is produced by Bert E Friedlob, is scored by Victor Young and is designed by Boris Levin.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2747

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