MovieChat Forums > Cass Timberlane (1948) Discussion > Terribly miscast...

Terribly miscast...

posted 10 years ago by USAFmedicVET
5 replies | jump to latest

There was no chemistry between Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner. None, nada, zero! He treated her like a child and their kisses were cringeworthy.
He treated everyone with an air of superiority so typical of many of Spencer Tracy movies, that I wonder if he wasn't just playing himself.
And Lana Turner played her usual spoiled, 'I need more out of life' character. As a classic movie fan, I don't see her appeal. Fake tears, fake tantrums...CUT...PRINT!

"We in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few,
We Band of Brothers" ~ W.S.

[–] Zuider_Zee 10 years ago

She did seem to be more his child than his wife. May/December didn't work so well here.

[–] hka-3 10 years ago

Oddly enough when I first turned it on it was a scene in which Lana's hairstyle made her look a lot older than she usually did in the 1940s. I couldn't help seeing her as being older for the rest of the film, so the age difference wasn't an issue for me.

Another odd thing is that this is the only time I can remember enjoying a Spencer Tracy performance. His character was endearing and he truly seemed to want to do whatever it took to keep his marriage intact. The way it was written I could believe they had a shot at making things work out.

[–] auntbee (202) 7 years ago

I agree with you about the hairstyle. I felt like Lana looked very matronly in this movie and I was wondering how old she was IRL. I was shocked to see she was only 25 when this movie was made! Maybe because she was teamed with the much older Tracy, it made her seem older too. But I felt like her hair and clothing made her look older, rather than highlighting the May/December aspect of their relationship.

[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

<< Lana Turner played her usual spoiled, 'I need more out of life' character. As a classic movie fan, I don't see her appeal. Fake tears, fake tantrums...CUT...PRINT! >>

(I know that was the OP's quote, Aunt Bee, but it was 3 years ago, and WE'RE the one's here now!)

(CURTAIN UUUUUP....! LIIIIGHT THE LIIIGHTSSS....!!)

But anyway, I agree Lana Turner's a pretty hopeless actress : ( Probably my least favorite from that era.
.

[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

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