Stage Struck (1958): Lumet’s Version of the 1933 Movie “Morning Glory,” with Susan Strasberg in Katharine Hepburn’s Part, with Henry Fonda (Nepo Baby)
Lumet directed Stage Struck, a drama set in the theater world, starring Henry Fonda, Susan Strasberg (Lee Strasberg’s daughter), and Christopher Plummer in his screen debut.
His second feature, reuniting him with Henry Fonda, was not exactly a sophomore jinx, but still a rather weak movie, with almost no reason to exist.
That is followed Lumet’s brilliant directing debut, the Oscar-nominated 12 Angry Men, made things worst.
The term “Nepo Baby” did not exist in the 1959s, but the phenomenon itself prevailed. The lead is played by Susan Strasberg, daughter of Lee Strasberg, the legendary “Method” guru and director of the Actors Studio.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
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Theatrical release poster
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Augustus and Ruth Goetz’ script is based on the stage play “Morning Glory” by Zoë Akins, which had served as the basis for the 1933 film Morning Glory starring Katharine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Adolphe Menjou in corresponding roles.
Susan Strasberg plays New Englander Eva Lovelace, an ambitious ingenue, is willing to sacrifice everything, including her love for suave producer Lewis Easton, to achieve her goal.
Her trials and tribulations ultimately lead to a moment of triumph when she successfully steps in for temperamental leading lady Rita Vernon.
Shot entirely on location in New York City, the film was produced by RKO and distributed by Walt Disney Productions.
In his review in the N.Y. Times, A.H. Weiler wrote: “Susan Strasberg is competent as the determined Eva Lovelace. She is petite and fragile and sometimes expressive but strangely pallid in a role that would seem to call for fire.”
One of the benefits of Stage Struck is watching the screen debut if Canadian-born Christopher Plummer, who would become a major actor (“The Sounds of Music”), and much later oldest Oscar winner (“Beginners”) over the next five decades
Cast
Henry Fonda as Lewis Easton
Susan Strasberg as Eva Lovelace
Christopher Plummer as Joe Sheridan
Joan Greenwood as Rita Vernon
Herbert Marshall as Robert Harley Hedges
Pat Harrington as Benny
Frank Campanella as Victor
John Fiedler as Adrian
Jack Weston as Frank
Credits:
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Screenplay by Augustus and Ruth Goetz, based on “Morning Glory”
play by Zoë Akins
Produced by Stuart Millar
Cinematography Franz Planer
Maurice Hartzband
Edited by Stuart Gilmore
Music by Alex North
Production: RKO Radio Pictures
Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution (US)
Release date: March 6, 1958
Running time: 95 minutes
