DOUBLE LIFE, A
1947 / 103:00 / B/W / Film Noir/ Melodrama/ Mystery
Director: George Cukor
Starring: Ronald Colman, Edmond O'Brien, Signe Hasso, Shelley Winters
Formats: Available in High Definition restored version.
SYNOPSIS:
Two writers who knew the stage well, and knew Hollywood, wrote the screenplay for this classic. As the New York Times reported, "We have it on the very good authority of Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, who should know - they being not only actors and playwrights but wife and spouse - that what seems a fairly safe profession, acting, is as dangerous as they come and love between people of the theatre is an adventure fraught with infinite perils." In an Oscar-winning perfomance, Ronald Colman plays the matinee idol who starts to crack from the strain of the roles he plays, especially if the runs are too long. This doesn't present much of a problem until he agrees to play the lead in 'Othello'. His wife, beautifully played by Signe Hasso, is also Desdemona in the play. The mix of jealousy with a complex personality and a weakness for playing the Moor, propel Colman's character to the inevitable climax, right on stage. George Cukor directs with an obvious sense of the milieu and brittleness of stage personalities. Brilliant supporting cast and another Oscar for the musical score by Miklos Rosza, that so perfectly sets the tone of this intense drama.
REVIEWS:
"...by casting Ronald Colman as their matinee idol of vast renown and by giving him an opportunity to play a lot of Othello within the play, they have handed this veteran actor the role of his lengthy career. The only question is whether Mr. Colman is more spectacular as the mentally distressed star of Broadway or as the bearded Moor." New York Times Reviews, February 20, 1948
AWARDS:
Award	Categorie	Person	Year	Status
ACADEMY AWARDS	Best Director	George Cukor	1947	nominated
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