MovieChat Forums > The Corn Is Green (1945) Discussion > Which version is best?

Which version is best?

posted 18 years ago by Rob_Dan
15 replies | jump to latest

WHich version is best? the 1945 movie starring Bette Davis or the 1979 television
version starring katharine Hepburn?

I prefer the 1945 movie because:

1. The entire cast is much better than the tv version.

2. Bette Davis is better as Miss Moffit than Miss Hepburn. Miss Hepburns head
is always shaking too much as if she had some sort of shaking disease, it distracts from her preformance.

3. The 1945 production has all the best qualities of Warner Brothers Studio of the 40's. first class in every department. The tv version is lacking in everything except it is in color.

What is your opinon ? Which version do you like better?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

I greatly enjoyed the German dubbed version with the nude dancing. As far as can be ascertained, it is only shown in Nirobi these days. Too bad.

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

Go suck an eel!

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Pipeman_Toronto 15 years ago

Miss Hepburns head is always shaking too much as if she had some sort of shaking disease, it distracts from her preformance.

In Miss Hepburn's own words:

"No, I don't have Parkinson's. I inherited my shaking head from my grandfather Hepburn. I discovered that whisky helps stop the shaking. Problem is, if you're not careful, it stops the rest of you too. My head just shakes, but I promise you, it ain't gonna fall off!"

[–] littlekaren 15 years ago

Never knew there were 2 versions!

[–] Jeffthinx 15 years ago

I have always been a fan of Katherine Hepburn's later work (particularly "The Lion in Winter") and I remember being most impressed by her performance in this TV film. I didn't see the Bette Davis version til years after I'd seen the Hepburn version, so I always had a soft spot for the version I saw first. But the poster who preferred the 1945 version makes very good points. There is something magical about the studio look of many of the films from the 30s and 40s. I haven't seen the Hepburn version in many years and I'm anxious to find a copy so I can see if it is still as fine as in my memory.

Ciao, e buon auguri

[–] msilva7-1 15 years ago

I HAVE A HEPBURN COLLECTION THAT WAS IN A PINK CASE I GOT FROM BORDER'S. ONE OF THEM IS "CORN" AND WAS VERY GOOD. I WISH I HADN'T IGNORED IT PREVIOUSLY WHEN IT CAME ON, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE TITLE. I DO LIKE BETTE DAVIS' VERSION THOUGH. I THINK MISS HEPBURN WAS A BIT LONG IN THE TOOTH BY THE TIME SHE MADE "CORN".

[–] Jeffthinx 15 years ago

msilva,

I keep hoping TCM or FOXMO will show it. But I suppose I should just break down and look for a DVD to buy.

Ciao, e buon auguri

[–] johnrupertg 15 years ago

Jeffthinx:

Johnthinx: You better breakdown and buy a copy. Assuming you're in Italy you missed it by hours. Assuming it is broadcast in the USA it would have aired around 3:30 PM Monday afternoon September 21, 2009 in Italy.

[–] Jeffthinx 15 years ago

John,

Oh wow! Are you telling me I missed it? That's alright, I just ordered a VHS on e-bay. I'll copy it onto DVD.

Thanx for the heads-up.

Ciao, e buon auguri

[–] film-collector 14 years ago

Both versions display a marvelous acting ensemble and both are directed well. As with others on here, I have to agree with the production values at this point and the studio/back lot version is superior to the on-location TV version.
Somehow the lighting and color work against it. It loses the antiquity the story demands. Despite the excellent performances it becomes more of a story about Miss Moffets independence and liberal agenda over Morgan's academic rise, because of lighting and video quality. We seem to be watching a staged, 1970's production instead of being transported back to the late Victorian era that the story needs to display. (And, indeed, WAS staged on a back lot here!)

[–] Zipper69 12 years ago

To be fair to Ms Hepburn the "head shaking" that Rob Dan (OP) noticed was a medical condition.

Come on lads, bags of swank!

[–] bill-1640 11 years ago

My, my...their is never any better performances than Bette Davis, especially the brilliance she always put forth in the 40's. She has always been a favorite no matter the period but her early works were certainly so professional.