Old Acquaintance (1943)

Old friends Kit Marlowe and Millie Drake adopt contrasting lifestyles: Kit is a single, critically acclaimed author while married Millie writes popular pulp novels.

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

John Van Druten (screenplay), Lenore J. Coffee (screenplay) (as Lenore Coffee)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins, Gig Young

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bette Davis	...	Katherine 'Kit' Marlowe
Miriam Hopkins	...	Midred 'Millie' Drake
Gig Young	...	Rudd Kendall
John Loder	...	Preston Drake
Dolores Moran	...	Deirdre'DeDe' Drake
Phillip Reed	...	Lucian Grant (as Philip Reed)
Roscoe Karns	...	Charlie Archer
Anne Revere	...	Belle Carter
Esther Dale	...	Harriet

Storyline

Jealous of best friend Kit, a critically acclaimed but financially unsuccessful author and playwright, Millie writes a novel, the first in a string of bestselling trashy novels. After eight years of neglect and taking a backseat to Millie's fame, her husband Preston leaves her. Another decade passes and Kit announces her intention of marrying the decade-younger Rudd. Millie thinks Preston wishes to reconcile, only to discover he is engaged. He also admits that he was in love with Kit, who had turned down his many advances. Feeling Kit to blame for the failure of her marriage, Millie flies into a rage and confronts Kit. Later, learning of Rudd's affection for Millie's daughter Diedre, Kit graciously steps aside to bless their union. In the end, Millie and Kit make up, sharing a champagne toast for each one's old acquaintance.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | author | old friend | success | playwright | 

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Taglines:

Together Again! in their greatest emotional triumph

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'impossible amour

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's earliest documented telecasts took place in Tucson Thursday 13 September 1956 on KDWI (Channel 9) and in Bellingham WA Monday 17 September 1957 on KVOS (Channel 12); it first aired in Boston Sunday 4 November 1956 on WBZ (Channel 4), in Miami Saturday 10 November 1956 on WTVJ (Channel 4), in Bloomington IN Saturday 8 December 1956 on WTTV (Channel 4), in Los Angeles Sunday 16 December 1956 on KTLA (Channel 5), in Spokane Sunday 30 December 1956 on KREM (Channel 2), and in San Francisco Sunday 20 January 1957 on KRON (Channel 4).

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Goofs

Kit is in bed smoking a cigarette. The cigarette is almost to her finger and the next moment it is longer.

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Quotes

Preston Drake: Oh, so you saw her?
Millie Drake: Yes! I saw her. She looked like someone who was selling something. I'm sure if she'd have been a man she wouldn't have shaved.

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Connections

Version of Old Acquaintance (1958)

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Soundtracks

Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes
(uncredited)
Music by R. Melish (1780?)
Whistled by Charles Jordan

User Reviews

Hopkins + Davis = Drama

Bette Davis really has her hands full in Vincent Sherman's 1943 gem, in which she battles it out with an "Old Acquaintance". The woman vs. woman war, so prominent in the films of the 1930s, '40s and '50s, gets some serious ammunition with this classic film. As excellent as it is, it is unfortunately not available on VHS/DVD, nor does it get the recognition bestowed upon many of Davis' other, and dare I say, lesser movies.

Davis plays writer Kit Marlowe, a woman who is unable to find true happiness as she selflessly puts the needs of her childhood friend, Milly(Miriam Hopkins), ahead of her own desires. Milly, a self-absorbed, insecure - even childlike - housewife is constantly in competition with Kit. As the two woman have successes over the years, their friendship endures strains, but never totally collapses. The battle between them even extends to Milly's teenage daughter(Dolores Moran)during the later years of their lives.

Davis nails the cattiness, insecurity and self-effacing humor that embodies Kit. Hopkins also succeeds as Milly. Even though Milly's self-destructive jealousies border on tedious and Hopkins almost succumbs to over-acting, Hopkins manages to pull back the reigns just in time. As good as "Old Acquaintance" is, however, there are moments that just don't ring true. For example, why wouldn't a teenage Deirdre(Moran)recognize her own father(John Loder), even if she hadn't seen him in a decade? Surely she would have seen a photo or had a faint memory. Despite that, though, this is a great classic just waiting to be restored and released. Fine writing, classic lines, smooth direction and stellar performances are what drive this film. One of Davis' finest and a shining entry into the women's genre.