Originally Posted by El Loro:
I saw Stage Struck (1958). An aspiring actress is trying to break through into Broadway theatre. The film is a remake of Morning Glory (1933) which was Katherine Hepburn's third film.
Susan Strasberg who played the actress in Stage Struck was the daughter of Lee Strasberg who set up the Actors Studio and was the key person in method acting. This film was also her third film but she was no Katherine Hepburn and did not get to the top as Hepburn did. The film does have its moments but isn't a great film.
I've now seen Morning Glory (1933). Besides Katherine Hepburn it atarred Adolphe Menjou and Douglas Faibanks Jnr. Near identical to Stage Struck but Katherine Hepburn made far more of her role than Susan Strasberg.
The final scene between her and Helen Ware (who played her costumer) is extraordinary. The costumer was once a young actress rising to the top but like the morning glory flower fades away. Hepburn is torn between despair, exhilaration, sadness, and determination showing all those emotions at the same time. She justifiably won her first Oscar.
In 1942 Adolphe Menjou recreated his role in a version for The Lux Radio Theatre. Hepburn's role was played by Judy Garland who would of course later be the lead in A Star in Born.