NOW, VOYAGER
It would be so easy to dismiss this 1942 Bette Davis vehicle as a mere ‘weepie’, especially given the more implausible elements of the story. Fortunately Bette Davis (spellbinding as only she can be) is supported by a strong cast, led by Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper and Paul Henreid, under the able direction of one Irving Rapper. Unsurprisingly Mr Rapper was a new name to me, given that his directorial career was not an especially long or distinguished one. He was a friend of Davis, which might explain how he got this gig, and indeed went on to direct her in three more films (none as acclaimed as this one). The film also benefits from strong dialogue, courtesy of Casey Robinson, who worked on several of Bette Davis' films. Davis plays Charlotte Vale, who when we first meet her is a neurotic mess thanks to the attentions of her tyrannical mother (Cooper). But enter psychiatrist Dr Jaquith (Rains) and very quickly she is off on a luxury cruise, complete ...