Hello, Nic at Nite (and Day):
I'm really racking my brain trying to remember where I saw this before. It's frustrating when I can't place this in its proper perspective. I took several quarters of a film class here in the late '80s, possibly until '91, and I associate this film with that.
I distinctly remember the instructor talking about Otto Preminger's treatment of Jean Seberg and how she was intentionally burned at the stake in "Joan of Arc," and I really think he showed this film. Maybe he had a pre-release version or a working print. Maybe I later saw it at a film festival or on PBS and just connected the dots. Or maybe I have early-onset Alzheimer's (though wouldn't that make me forget seeing it?)
Regardless, it's a fascinating depiction of a woman completely unprepared for stardom who allowed herself to be used by the men who pulled the strings. Clearly she was woefully miscast as Joan of Arc, and probably most of her films, and her life spiraled down from there.
I need to see more of her films to judge her talents. I recently bought "A Fine Madness" with Sean Connery and Joanne Woodward. Have you seen that?
I'll seek out her biographies. I tend to have really good luck at local thrift stores and sidewalk sales. I've read a lot of actresses bios/autobios lately: Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, Teri Garr, Phyllis Diller, Shirley MacLaine.
I saw a live production of "Rock Hudson's Home Movies" several years ago, I think with Michael Kearns. It was a very good production, though all I remember about it is a segment where he freezes on Tony Randall staring at his chest. That's in Mark Rappaport's film also, isn't it, or am I again fuzzy on history? I guess I should watch that next.
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