NOW, VOYAGER (1942) Starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Ilka Chase, Gladys Cooper, Bonita Granville, and directed by Irving Rapper. The screenplay by Casey Robinson is based on the 1941 novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty. In, Hal B. Wallis casting decisions. His initial choices for Charlotte were Irene Dunne, Norma Shearer, and Ginger Rogers. When Bette Davis learned about the project, she campaigned for and won the role. More than any other of her previous films, Davis became absorbed in the role, not only reading the original novel but becoming involved in details such as choosing her wardrobe personally. Consulting with designer Orry-Kelly, she suggested a drab outfit, including an ugly foulard dress for Charlotte initially, to contrast with the stylish, timeless creations that mark her later appearance on the cruise ship. The choice of Daviss leading men became important as well. Davis was aghast at the initial costume and makeup tests of Austrian actor Paul Henreid; she thought the slicked back gigolo-like appearance made him look just like Valentino. Henreid was similarly uncomfortable with the brilliantine image and when Davis insisted on another screen test with a more natural hairstyle, he was finally accepted as the choice for her screen lover. Davis and co-star Paul Henreid claimed the moment in which Jerry puts two cigarettes in his mouth, lights both, then passes one to Charlotte, was developed by them during rehearsals, inspired by a habit Henreid shared with his wife. Paul Henreids act of lighting two cigarettes at once caught the publics imagination and he couldnt go anywhere without being accosted by women begging him to light cigarettes for them. Filming went a few weeks over schedule, which in turn caused some conflicts with Casablanca (1942), which also starred Claude Rains and Paul Henreid. Rains finished work on this movie June 3rd in 1942 and did his first scene on Casablanca (1942) at 10:30 the next morning. The biggest box office hit of Bette Daviss career. The screenplay is a fairly faithful adaptation of the novel, except that in the book Charlotte takes a Mediterranean cruise, not a South American one. The Walt Whitman poem that Bette Davis reads (just before leaving Cascades) is The Untold Want from Songs of Parting (just 2 lines): The untold want, by life and land neer granted,/ Now, Voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find. The main love theme from the score was published as the hit song It Cant Be Wrong with music by Max Steiner and lyrics by Kim Gannon. Nominated for 3 Oscars, Awarded 1 for Max Steiners scoring. The love theme from this film was later used as background music in the seduction scene from the 1945 film Mildred Pierce starring Joan Crawford. Filming Locations: Warner Bros Burbank Studios, 1, 12 11, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 4, 5, 6, and 9.,6621 Whitley Terrace, Whitley Heights, Hollywood, Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, Harvard Medical School, Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Laguna Beach, California. In celebration of Paul Henreids Birthday, January 8th.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:32:09 +0000
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