Another Entry Into My Own Mixed-Up Files

I recently watched Now, Voyager for the first time.  It's beautiful, and may be one of my favorite Bette Davis movies.  Her leading man (after a fashion) is played by Paul Henreid, but throughout the entire movie, I thought I was drooling over Charles Boyer.

Paul Henreid

Charles Boyer

Seriously, how identical are they?  Very.

Anyway, back to the movie.  Now, Voyager (based on the novel of the same name) is about a mousy, dowdy, plump old maid played by Bette Davis (insane, but [for once] not criminally so), who is nearly unrecognizable:

Those eyebrows are impressive.

She has been reduced to nearly nothing by her overbearing, demanding harpy of a mother, until her sweet sister-in-law decides to have a psychiatrist, Dr. Jacquith (Claude Raines!!!) step in.  Charlotte, Bette's character, retires to his recuperative facility to have a nervous breakdown and lose weight.  She then goes on a pleasure cruise.

On this cruise, she meets an exceptionally kind, interesting, and handsome man.  His name is Jerry.  They fall madly in love, and he understands completely about her illness and situation in life.  Just as she understands his.  He's married, you see, and very unhappily.  They decide to spend five glorious days together in the fresh air of Rio.

Then they part, presumably forever.  That is, until winter.  They meet at a party.  Charlotte, believing Jerry is lost to her, is engaged to be married to a well-intentioned, sincere, all-around stand-up guy.  Who is also a widower.  And boring.  And not Jerry.

I uploaded my favorite scene to youtube, but it's not embeddable due to copyright claims.  So go watch.  I'll wait.

You're most likely crying.  I'll give you a moment to recover.

All better?

I won't spoil the ending, but I will recommend (demand) that you see this movie.  It's beautiful.  There isn't really a 'happy ending' the way we're used to them, but the end is satisfying nonetheless.

Garnet