Dark Victory (1939)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Edmund Goulding

Writers:

Casey Robinson (screenplay)
George Emerson Brewer Jr. (play) ...

Release Date:

22 April 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

"I've Crammed EVERY MINUTE SO FULL of waste. And now there's so little time. I don't know what to do. I'm afraid!"

Plot:

A young socialite is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, and must decide whether she'll meet her final days with dignity.

Plot Keywords:

Doctor | Brain Tumor | Secretary | Horse | Horse Trainer

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Judith Traherne
George Brent	...	Dr. Frederick Steele
Humphrey Bogart	...	Michael O'Leary
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Ann King
Ronald Reagan	...	Alec
Henry Travers	...	Dr. Parsons
Cora Witherspoon	...	Carrie
Dorothy Peterson	...	Miss Wainwright
Virginia Brissac	...	Martha
Charles Richman	...	Colonel Mantle
Herbert Rawlinson	...	Dr. Carter
Leonard Mudie	...	Dr. Driscoll
Fay Helm	...	Miss Dodd
Lottie Williams	...	Lucy

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #4835) | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

Bette Davis said that this was her favorite role to play.

Goofs:

Continuity: Lottie Williams is credited onscreen as playing "Lucy", but she plays Agatha. Lucy is played by Diane Bernard.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Michael O'Leary: [on the phone] Hello, there. Is this the house? I've been trying to get you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Homicide: Life on the Street: Just an Old Fashioned Love Song (#7.3)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Vienna Blood

The ultimate tear-jerker!

Not only is this sublime classic the greatest tear-jerker of all time (well, let's call it a tie with "Lassie Come Home"), it also contains one of the greatest performances ever given by Bette Davis. In the hands of a lesser actress this movie could have been a soppy pot-boiler. In the hands of Ms Davis it is close to being a masterpiece. If most of the supporting players can't match her it's no wonder - Bette is truly inspired here! The normally fine Geraldine Fitzgerald seems rather self-conscious in a difficult role (and an early one for her), and George Brent can't handle the really emotional stuff. But Bogart is stunning in that sexually charged scene with Bette in the stables. Ronnie doesn't have much to do, but Virginia Brissac is memorable as Martha and Henry Travers terrific as the old doctor.

Above all this is the excellent direction of Edmund Goulding, the fine cinematography of Ernest Haller and the great music of Max Steiner. Sure, dying in real life is never this beautiful, but don't we all wish we could go out with the style that Bette Davis does? Be warned: the last 15 minutes of this film are almost torturously moving - but then ALL of "Lassie Come Home" is. And don't we just love a good cry!