This will be kind of an odd Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte post because the focus here isn't on cousin Miriam but on the cold, enigmatic Widow Mayhew (portayed by Mary Astor). In my copy of the script (and the finished movie) retired insurance investigator/amateur sleuth Harry Wills has been trying to figure out who murdered John Mayhew back in 1927, for purely personal reasons; he had met Charlotte Hollis when she arrived in London after fleeing the country following the scandalous murder of her married lover (a crime most believed she had committed) and apparently he conceived quite a crush on Miss Hollis. Having been rebuffed by Charlotte's cousin Miriam Deering when he requested an interview with her, he then decides to go straight to the source and arrives at Mayhew Manor via taxi, with only a brief appearance by Miriam (Joan Crawford) at the beginning of the scene. Most of this scene in the film plays out exactly as written in the script but as in previous posts, I'll italicize all dialogue that was deleted. This is kind of important, because (just as when the character of Miriam was diminished when Joan Crawford left the role) Jewel's character suffers from these omissions. In the film as released, Ms. Mayhew is a superficially gracious (albeit very formidable) old woman, but clearly she has some underlying motives of her own.
But the deleted dialogue between Harry Wills and Jewel reveals a mournful woman who feels a lot more forgiving than many women in her position would be (especially to Charlotte, who "stole" her husband, back in the day). It pisses me off that these few snips of talking were removed, because they couldn't have added more than a few minutes to the running time and they really illuminate Jewel Mayhew's strength and decency.
LONG SHOT-ROAD, MIRIAM'S CAR-DAY
The car, headed for Hollis House, approaches Mayhew Manor.
INTERIOR-CAR-SHOT OF MIRIAM
She is driving. There are parcels on the seat beside her to show that she has been to town for supplies. She looks out at the roadside. As Miriam APPROACHES in passing we have a clear view of the drive. There is a glimpse of a waiting taxi, the driver dozing at the wheel.
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Then we shift to Jewel Mayhew and Harry Wills having tea. After some casual conversation, Jewel asks Harry:
"Tell me, Mr. Wills, weren't you a little surprised when I agreed to see you? After all, you must have been told I don't normally receive visitors."
Harry replies: "Well, yes, but then I've found the hospitality in this part of the country delightful...Besides I imagine you have your own reasons."
"...I did have my reasons, Mr. Wills, I did...You mentioned Lloyd's of London. I still have a policy on my deceased husband---a Lloyd's policy. I take it that's what you're interested in."
Harry: " It's a policy for a very considerable sum . In all these years, you've never even put in an inquiry."
(could Harry BE any cuter? I think not!)
Jewel: "And you want to know why...I didn't think you meant to urge me to collect after all these years. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed--I didn't exercise that policy, Mr. Wills, because--well, because I simply couldn't. There are some things-losses-you just can't bring yourself to capitalize on. At least I couldn't. And--then--I didn't need the money...Do you understand? I believe you really do. Which leads me to confess to my own ulterior motives for this meeting. I have a particular need for a stranger now."
Harry: "Yes, they do have their uses, don't they?"
"Here, in this little town, our interests are all too tightly interlocked. If you confide in one person, you confide in the whole community."
"You need someone to talk to?"
"Only in a sense. I'm not a well woman, you can see that much for yourself. Who was it said 'This long disease my life'? Well, it's coming to an end. Perhaps a month, a week, a few days, who knows?"
Harry: "I'm so terribly sorry."
Jewel puts up a hand: "No, don't be--not for me. I think I'm even glad. But never mind that. I take it you're no stranger to the unhappier aspects of people's lives, and yet you're still a cheerful man.That makes me think you're an honest one, as well. Also--I believe you must know a thing I've been very late in learning...that the wickedest act in this life is to sit in judgement on others...and bring down vengeance upon them."
Harry: "Yes. And yet there are actions that require our judgement."
Jewel: "The frightful things that happened when my husband died. And the other things, the quiet, slowly festering ones that have gone on happening ever since..."
(a pause)
"Me, alone here in this house---Charlotte alone over there, a frightened exile from the world. No matter what she did..."
(she breaks off, lost in some private reminiscence, then she shakes her head)
"More than one life was taken that night."
Again, Jewel studies Harry, and Harry offers a tentative smile. Finally (she) produces a sealed letter from her shawl and holds it in her trembling hand, her gaze fixed on Harry.
"Are you the honest man you seem to be, Harry Wills? No, don't give an answer to that. The only way to trust someone is on instinct alone."
(She drops the letter within Harry's reach)
"I want you to have this. I only ask that you don't open it until after I'm gone. Then I want to you to act on your own experience and judgement. You'll know what to do when the time comes. Or what not to do."
Harry takes the letter: "It sounds a heavy responsibilty."
"It is, a terrible one. My honest advice is to refuse it."
"But you know I won't."
"Yes, I know that." Jewel fingers a worn spot in her embroidered napkin, abandons it limply.
"Ruined finery. Yes, that's all I have left. I'm stoney broke--is that the phrase. It's a relief to admit it."
"But then, your policy with Lloyd's..."
"You know how long it would take to process an old claim like that. By the time I received it--it's likely I'd be past needing it."
There is a brief pause.
Harry: "You must be ready for another cup of tea."
End of scene.
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Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte is one of my all-time favorite movies (despite the fact that between Bette as Charlotte and Agnes Moorhead as Velma it's something of a ham-a-thon) but in her few scenes, Mary Astor as Jewel Mayhew pretty much steals the show. Astor has an interesting connection to Joan Crawford beyond 1964's HHSC. Almost 40 years previously, the two had in 1926 been named WAMPAS (Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers) Baby Stars, meaning both had promising futures in Hollywood (and how!).
(That's a very young, fairly haughty Joan Crawford in a 1926 WAMPAS publicity photo at lower left, with an equally young Mary Astor two tiers above her)
Joan Crawford went on to become the Greatest Star in Hollywood history, and Mary Astor didn't do too badly herself, starring in 1941's The Great Lie (a favorite guilty pleasure of mine wherein she holds her own against Miss BetteFuckingDavis, thank you very much, and winning an Oscar in the process), not to mention a little movie called The Maltese Falcon, as well as Meet Me In St. Louis with Judy Garland and her stunning turn as the Mother-In-Law from Hell in 1961's Return To Peyton Place (she's the only reason to watch this dreadful movie, which might have been a success had Joan Crawford essayed the role of Connie, as was originally intended).
Although I'd heard of her scandalous divorce trial in the mid 1930's and had read one of her autobiographies (honestly, she didn't seem like someone I'd want to get to know better), Mary Astor remained an enigma to me for a long time, until I saw this post at Self-Styled Siren.
Well okay, she's still an enigma, but I thought that was a pretty interesting discussion about Ms. Astor.
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And P. S. , I've been working like a fiend lately (not necessarily a bad thing!) but I've fallen behind as far as catching up with with all of my online friends, so my sincere apologies, but I did happen to see a few items last night that might be of interest to my fellow Joan-nuts, and this is at the top of the list!
Courtesy of cette journee m'attend I saw this awesome compendium of reactions from Joan's friends, peers and co-workers (in other words, the people who knew Joan Crawford best) to that pathetic, despicable book. Regardez-vous:
“Joan was a fine mother to Tina, she spoiled her beyond belief, though. What Tina has done in return is disgusting.”- Gloria Swanson
“Excuse me while I toss my lunch.”- Barbara Stanwyck
“I was never close to Joan, but I found that sickening.”- Katherine Hepburn
“It makes me want to cry.”- Doris Day
“I can’t understand why Christina would do something like this, it’s terrible.”- Ava Gardner
“That’s not the Joan I knew.”- Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
“I knew both Tina and Joan pretty well. Every time I saw Tina, she seemed almost jealous of Joan; It’s like she wanted to be Joan. I swear, that Brat made me glad I didn’t have kids.”- Myrna Loy
“Nobody Deserves a Death like that.”- Marlene Dietrich
“Now I know why tigers eat their young.”- Bob Hope
I'm not sure who I love more, but Myrna, Barbara and Doris are pretty much at the top of the list, especially after reading this!
5 comments:
I've only seen this movie once and consider that a shameful failing on my part.
Toon, it's kinda (er, VERY) dark, but how often does a movie contain this many great actresses?
That said, the first time I saw HHSC, a few of the events in the film really grossed me out. It's not exactly a feel-good movie!
Favorable comments about Joan are usually unrepeated so it was good to see these. I remember a couple of years back on e bay someone was selling a copy of a memorial to Joan signed by dozens of people (including the twins) and published (in Variety or a similar magazine) a few years after her death. It called JC "Our Beloved Friend." I would have put in a bid if I had had more cash at the time...just to prove some people did not believe CC.
Yes, ex-actress Joan Evans (Crawford's godchild) signed that memorial article in Variety. I'd love to see it, too!
Dear Janie, I'm in the same place as far as buying Joanie items--if I win the lottery, I'd have a field day with memorabilia-- and I'd spread the wealth, too! Joan Crawford is too important, not just historically, as an artist and a legend, but personally.
This astounding human being worked more and harder than anyone else in Hollywood to be worthy of the love she received from her fans (or,as she considered us, her friends) and she deserves more attention for her talent, ability and kindness than she is often accorded! Thankfully, the tide is slowly turning. Thank you so much for writing, it's always a thrill to hear from you, my friend!
And Poseidon, it's great to hear from you too! I'm working like a fiend lately, but I check out The Underworld whenever possible!
Talk to all y'all soon! XXXOOO Rob
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