Now, Voyager

I always thought the early ugly duckling scenes are laid on a bit thick at times but wow her transformation both physical, mental and emotional is just stunning.It is always a pleasure to see Claude Rains too, I love him in this and also Deception.

Claude Rains offers his usual touch of brilliance.
As well as being a wonderful actor, he was so charming. That voice, just marvellous. I have heard it described as warm honey over gravel. I always thought he should play a devil (I 'm not talking about pea soup spewing possession) because I think he would have made evil so seductive - a genuine silver tongued devil.

Bette Davis said she thought that Charlotte would end up with Dr Jacquith(?sp).

Great idea!

For years I've entertained the fantasy of a perhaps early 40s incarnation of The Witches of Eastwick. I've always seen it as a bringing together of three great women that never worked together: Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Myrna Loy. Well, at least that's the casting I have come to settle on. The way they correspond to the actual film is:

KH = Cher
BD = Susan Sarandon
ML = Michelle Pfeiffer

And, I propose, perhaps Claude Rains in the Nicholson role?

One can dream.

That could work really well, except perhaps Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis, if both were at their peak, might be too much of a good thing. Although, with, for example Mary Astor, Miriam Hopkins or Olivia De Havilland, BD didn't try to overshadow them, and I have read that she disliked MH, so at that time in her life, DB was probably prepared to put the good of the film before her ego. Actually, in that case Myrna Loy could possibly steal the show. She was such a stunner, and an extremely deft actress and comedienne. She lit up the screen so often, especially with William Powell. it sad how she's a most forgotten nowadays.

i know BD said that she truly admired KH looks.

Claude Rains would make a good devil in the Nicholson role, because he could have that faintly sinister, yet irresistible, manner.

Oh good God, no. I had it all wrong. It goes like this... remember, The Witches of Eastwick...imagine it like this

Claude Rains as Daryl Van Horne
Katharine Hepburn as Alexandra Medford
Myrna Loy as Jane Spofford
Carole Lombard as Sukie Ridgemont
Bette Davis as Felicia Alden
Charles Laughton as Clyde Alden

Ooh, now, see that's delicious. I've always thought Davis and Laughton would go well together. This would play to their strengths quite well, too. I had totally forgotten about that Felicia character - but I actually think Davis would do it brilliantly. I debate about others in place of Laughton...Bogart? Tracy? In fact, Gary Cooper could bring something to it even. That stone wall expression of his, taking her crap for a long time and just melting inside if you ask him about it. He could snap ferociously too. But then again, I would just entrust Laughton to do his magic with anything. In fact, I'd even go as far as hearing his ideas for Daryl Van Horne to be honest. He can do almost anything.
I wonder about others in place of Lombard too. I like Lombard, a lot, and I actually love the idea of her as an over-taxed mother, not knowing whether to clutch at her hair and scream or wipe down one of her many children. Transposing the story elements appropriately to the early 40's period in question for this makes considerable alterations. I suppose it retains its dark comedic elements, but places them in a slightly screwball setting but delving, I imagine, into some darker, more expressionist or noirish moments at times. It would have been an interesting project.

At any rate, it's pointless conversation I suppose since all of these people are dead. But it's not the first time I've had a dream cast for something like this.