Now, Voyager (1942)

Director:

Irving Rapper

Writers:

Casey Robinson (screenplay)
Olive Higgins Prouty (from the novel by)

Release Date:

31 October 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Today Her Greatest! For a woman there's always an excuse . . .

Plot:

Boston spinster blossoms under therapy and finds impossible romance.

Plot Keywords:

Spinster | Cruise | Domineering Mother | Heart Attack | Love Affair

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Charlotte Vale
Paul Henreid	...	Jerry Durrance
Claude Rains	...	Dr. Jaquith
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Henry Vale
Bonita Granville	...	June Vale
John Loder	...	Elliot Livingston
Ilka Chase	...	Lisa Vale
Lee Patrick	...	'Deb' McIntyre
Franklin Pangborn	...	Mr. Thompson
Katharine Alexander	...	Miss Trask (as Katherine Alexander)
James Rennie	...	Frank McIntyre
Mary Wickes	...	Dora Pickford

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:PG | Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #8341) | Germany:o.Al.

Filming Locations:

6621 Whitley Terrace, Whitley Heights, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Claude Rains initially turned down the Jaquith role, finding it too insubstantial. The part was built up for him and he was paid $5000 a week for six weeks' work.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Jerry (Paul Henreid) introduces Charlotte (Bette Davis) as 'Camille' to his friends on the cruise line. Later, when the foursome take a break from shuffleboard and the two women retire to deck chairs, Deb McIntyre (Lee Patrick) calls her Charlotte.

Quotes:

Charlotte Vale: I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid, mother. I'm not afraid.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Soundtrack:

It Can't Be Wrong

Now, Voyager -An Excellent Expedition

After seeing this great film, I realized that not every mother wants the best for her children.

Gladys Cooper gave a brilliant performance as the outrageously domineering mother. Her best supporting actress nomination was well deserved. It's a pity she lost the coveted award to Teresa Wright, the tragic daughter-in-law in "Mrs. Miniver." Obviously, Oscar voters could not bring themselves to vote for such a wicked mother that Cooper portrayed. (The following year Cooper gave another brilliant performance as the wretched nun in "Song of Bernadette." She lost the Oscar because who would vote for a vicious nun?)

No words are adequate to describe the outstanding Bette Davis performance in this film. Sorry, Greer Garson, Bette deserved this Oscar as she did so many. Her change from a hopelessly-drawn spinster to a ravishing beauty with all its torment can never be forgotten.

Thank you Claude Rains for your excellent portrayal of the psychiatrist.