That song is the most interesting thing about this film. The movie is rather bland with Turner looking too mature to play a fresh-faced girl seeking to make her mark in New York's fashion world. The fashion is dull, the film screams for younger leads, lush color and less melodramtic acting but the score, by Kaper, is absolutely fabulous. I just listened to Sarah Vaughan's haunting version of Invitation and realized the music deserved a better film.
shareI just saw this on TCM its shown for Ray's birthday and he still looks quite good though the charm is missing a bit but thats due to his role. I'm a Lana fan and she's the only reason I sat through this so I can agree that color would have helped immensely but I think Lana did well, though the 50s have to be the worse decade of style-not even natalie wood could pull off Lana's hairdo and Lana doesnt do too bad with it. I hardly doubt though that a man like Milland would have taken a younger pup seriously so the casting with Lana makes sense-but different leads altogether would have fixed that-but who in 1950? Seems like all the major stars were aging. So glad they changed the ending-Lana killing herself would made this a ridiculous depressing story.
http://jeanettediscography.blogspot.com/
Hi miss meli,
I love Lana but she was simply too mature. The boozing and smoking with Bob Topping showed. I would have looked at young stars. Elizabeth Taylor was under contract at that time, already a big star and it would have worked with an actor like William Holden, Kirk Douglas, Glenn Ford or Van Johnson. The fashions from that period could have been fabulous but they were off as was the hair. What was Guilleroff thinking? I think they should have shot it in color, in New York and agree with you about the ending, it would have been horrible.
Well Van and Elizabeth were in a film in 1950 called the Big Hangover and she starred in Father of the Bride so she was busy but I could have seen her in it! But was she the only young star? Every MGM actress from June Allyson to Lana seemed to be older by then. I can only think of Jane Powell but that would have made this film into a musical. I do think Lana could have done a better picture for her comeback but she made this movie her own. Seriously though the original ending would have told us what-dont be ambitious in life? I honestly would have been depressed and instead with this ending I'm glad for her and that she's going to go live a life of her own.
http://jeanettediscography.blogspot.com/
Hi miss meli,
One would think that George Cukor could have done better. Jean Simmons and Arlene Dahl were around then too but it was a vehicle for Lana. I agree Lana should have found a better picture for her comeback. I could see her opposite Barry Sullivan in a noir thriller. She had real chemistry with Sullivan and the amazing music would have supported them. Agree with you about the the original ending was a slap in the face of any woman. What the hell were the writers' thinking?
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