MovieChat Forums > The Star (1952) Discussion > the screen test

the screen test

posted 14 years ago by Echo_in_big_sky
6 replies | jump to latest

The screen test was horrible to watch. And it was even worse to watch Bette watch the screen test when she realized just how bad she was.

Just be truthful and if you can fake that you've got it made. ;)

[–] TCall2004 14 years ago

The screen test reminded me of Joan Crawford's later films when she insisted on playing roles she was TOO OLD for.

"Berzerk" comes to mind.

[–] Echo_in_big_sky 14 years ago

Well now a 40+ something woman can very easily be seductive and youthful. Thank goodness there are smart, classy, and sexy roles for mature women. Not enough I know, but better than in earlier years.

Just be truthful and if you can fake that you've got it made. ;)

[–] shandy8 13 years ago

I understand that the writers used Crawford as their inspiration. Joan Crawford was a star all the way, and she would have been better in the role than Bette Davis, whom I adore.

'Berserk' was a mistake; she didn't look very good with those young men. Watch 'Straight Jacket' (I imagine that you probably have seen it). She plays her age and even pokes fun of mature women who try to pass themselves off as young starlets.

I am surprised that Davis took this role. It could have been a good movie, but the plot took some odd turns that didn't work.

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] mmitsos-1 11 years ago

Yes, the screen test immediately reminded me of Joan Crawford, when, according to the film "Mommy Dearest", she filled in for her own daughter Christine on her soap opera when the daughter was in the hospital. She couldn't even read cue cards naturally.

[–] HarlowMGM 7 years ago

This whole part of the story didn't ring true though. She's auditioning to play the sister of an 18-year-old and they want the role to be a forty-something hag? And the woman shown at the party to ultimately lands the role is clearly a senior citizen!! This in addition to Margaret being an Oscar-winning actress; she would have known she couldn't "sex up" this part, plus being a "serious actress" she (like Bette Davis herself) would not have minded playing a character part, especially since she was in dire straits and hadn't worked in some time. Margaret is not a delusional Norma Desmond type living in the past, she's a realistic person whose career has crashed. I mean seriously, she was not above working as a sales clerk because she needs the money, she would have done absolutely anything the director asked for another chance at acting.