MovieChat Forums > The Secret Fury (1950) Discussion > Could have Done with Younger Leads

Could have Done with Younger Leads

posted 14 years ago by LadyJaneGrey
5 replies | jump to latest

Although I like Colbert, at 47 she was a bit long in the tooth to be playing a character getting married for the first time AND still have a guardian, even a financial one, and to be still living with her aunt and being told what to do. And to be called "child." Improbable. Ryan at 41 was plausible in his role as perplexed groom. Both gave excellent performances; I just think the story could have been rearranged a little so as to make Colbert's age a little more believable.

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

[–] misspaddylee 13 years ago

There was only one mention of her age. Talking with her aunt on the wedding day Ellen commented "Mother would probably say I waited too long" or "started too late" - something like that.

"Tell me about the squares, Buzzie."

[–] HarlowMGM 13 years ago

Can't a woman 47 get married for the first time? The character is a professional pianist with a major career, she has always put her career ahead of her private life and been very headstrong and independent, touring without associates, etc. it stands to reason such a woman would wait quite a while to marry. And as misspaddylee notes, the character acknowledges she has waited quite a while to be finally married.

I think the character could have not be any younger than mid-thirties given her history via her career and independence.

And the age thing that people keep mentioning about movies because we now know how old this and that person were when they made the movie (which was rarely publicized at the time); movie stars nearly always play five years younger than their real age and often a decade or so less. I don't think 1950 audiences had the least problem with Claudette in this role. Claudette was presumed to be in her early forties by the public back then.

The "guardian" bit seems to be little more than a financial advisor/family friend, I think they called him that just to tie him more into the story.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

Okay you convinced me. I was going to complain about Colbert's age. But you are right about her. Robert Ryan is quite a catch, in any case.

I've always seen something melancholy or sinister in Ryan. He was deeeep. Any very handsome.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

HarlowMGM says > Can't a woman 47 get married for the first time?...

So true! A lot of people on these boards seem to take issue with a character's age, the actor's age, and whatever difference there may be between them. What nonsense!

In addition to everything you've already pointed out, it was mentioned that Ellen had already suffered one nervous breakdown and now she was experiencing a complete mental meltdown. If she could fall apart that easily, it would stand to reason she was a fragile person who had trouble dealing with life's difficulties. She also seemed to be very impulsive.

These personality traits were, no doubt, evident in her early on. Her father, in an attempt to protect her, appointed someone he thought he could trust to keep an eye on her and her affairs. She had made a snap decision to marry David, she could just as easily jumped into other risky situations or decided to marry a man who didn't have the best of intentions. Once she was married, I suspect her 'guardian' would have played a lesser role, if any, in her life.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] tesab-1 8 years ago

Personally, I appreciate having 'older' characters for a change in romantic lead roles, especially older women. It is a refreshing and realistic change.