Today's Bill Collins Midday Movie is proudly brought to you by Chandler's.
The series features the
Good afternoon. Today a very special film, likewise tomorrow. Today we have Claudia and
David. Claudia is rather a special case. Why? Well I'll tell you why. For about half the
film you'll be wondering why you're keeping on watching it. But you will keep on watching
it, won't you? Because you know that there's something special coming. I'm telling you
right now. There's something that is in this film which will move you greatly, give you
something to think about. And you realise that all the first half of the film is a preparation
for an extraordinary moment. You see Claudia is rather a strange person in a way. She's
like a child bride. David is played by Robert Young. He's the husband. He's very tolerant
of Claudia. He understands. He knows she hasn't grown up. She's a bit tired to her mother
a little bit. But he loves her so much. And it's a good marriage. But you see Claudia
has a rather annoying little habit. She listens in on phone conversations. Oh it's just a
little trick a child might play. But you know sometimes eavesdroppers hear things they shouldn't
hear. And in this particular film Claudia hears something which changes her greatly.
And I'm not going to spoil the film by telling you what happens, why it changes her. I just
want you to be patient. I want you to look and listen and enjoy the gaiety of the first
half of the picture. It's quite good fun. Beautifully made. Directed by Edmund Goulding
who directed some of Bette Davis' best pictures. He directed The Razor's Edge of Time Power
too. And it's written by Rose Franken who has a great deal of understanding. The play
was a great success. Did you know that Dorothy McGuire made her name playing Claudia? And
she made a movie to boo playing Claudia. Beautifully played. The two of them together are pure magic.
They got on very well. So much so they made a third film together, The Enchanted Cottage
which is one of my favourite romantic dramas. Do you know this woman? Her name is Ina Claire.
She was in her nineties when she died last year. Ina Claire plays Claudia's mother and
has a great line. Claudia has to learn to let go of people she loves. To hold close
with open hands. I'll repeat those words at the end of the film. Ina Claire as Claudia's
mother gives one of the most wonderful performances ever on the screen by a woman. If you don't
believe me, see and be patient and then be overcome by the wonder of this quite remarkable
film.
Today's Bill Collins Midday Movie was proudly brought to you by Chantlers. There you are,
Claudia. It's remarkable. Remember the lines? Claudia has to learn to let go of people she
loves. To hold close with open hands. They're the words I like. Hold close with open hands.
Spoken by Ina Claire as the mother. It is for me a special experience that film. Is
it for you? What does it mean to you? Think about that. I'll be back in just a moment.
Tomorrow I'm so pleased that I can present for you Claudia and David. Now Claudia and
David is quite different. Some of it's very amusing and some of it's very serious. Surprisingly
a very short film. But to me, Perfection, directed by Walter Lange. Beautifully photographed
in black and white. And I'm sure you'll find it a stimulating experience to see. When I
saw it after many years, or was last year again, I was astonished how good it was. So
much so that in the book that I have coming out in a few months time, I have written about
Claudia and Claudia and David with a great deal of enthusiasm. That's why I hope people
will read the book and use it for reference because I put into that all sorts of things
relevant to the movies I present on Network 10. And in an effort to bring you closer to
the riches of some of the films that are so easily taken for granted and ignored by some
people who could learn so much from them. How's this for the opening line of a novel?
When he killed his father, they sent him to a psychiatrist called Mice in Wimpole Street.
That's the book. Published in Australia by William Collins. Surely Winston Graham needs
no introduction. This is his newest book, The Green Flash. He's a good storyteller.
He puts suspense into situations where other writers don't. And look at all the books he's
written. Just look at his list of books. We have a nice close shot of the list of books
that he's written. Isn't that amazing? And some of his books are made very interesting
movies. Fortune is a Woman is one that I like very much. There's Night Without Stars. I
think that was filmed. And The Walking Stick with Samantha Edgar. So many interesting films
from books by Winston Graham. And of course the Poldark series. The Green Flash by Winston
Graham, his latest novel, published by William Collins. And Graham Green, no less, said of
him, he is a master of the art of pure storytelling. Well, that coming from a top critic, I'm sorry,
it wasn't Graham Green, it was Richard Church. That is quite praise indeed. Winston Graham,
The Green Flash, published by William Collins, is a fascinating novel. Before I go, I remind
you once more, tomorrow it's Claudia and David, with Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young. And
there are moments in Claudia and David which are so astonishing and close to the truth
of human experience that you may find yourself identifying with them. There are two special
women in the cast. One of them is Mary Astor, who has some great moments, and another is
Rose Hobart. Please, don't be late tomorrow. I do have some things to tell you about Claudia
and David, and I think you're going to find it a special experience, as I hope you found
Claudia today. We try to present you with interesting movies in the afternoon. Thank
you so much for your wonderful support. I love you all. Tomorrow, Claudia and David.
Good afternoon.
Thank you.