Recently I moved and as I was doing so, I threw some films into a bin I wanted to watch but never got around to looking at for one reason or another. After I settled in at the new place, I came across the bin-- and inside was MAGNIFICENT DOLL.
I had purchased a copy of MAGNIFICENT DOLL and was saving it-- who knows why. But what a treat to save. Ginger Rogers plays the title character, one of our country's early first ladies, Dolley Madison. She costars alongside David Niven as Aaron Burr and Burgess Meredith as James Madison.
Ginger Rogers had worked with both leading men before at her old stomping grounds RKO. She was in the romcom BACHELOR MOTHER (1939) with David Niven, and in the romcom TOM DICK AND HARRY (1941) with Burgess Meredith.
MAGNIFICENT DOLL was Rogers' first real attempt at doing historical drama. During her tenure at RKO, she sought the role of MARY OF SCOTLAND which went to her STAGE DOOR pal Katharine Hepburn. Studio bosses rejected Rogers for that part, despite doing a screen test, because they felt her playing any sort of historical figure was at odds with the persona that had been cultivated for her in musicals and romantic comedies.
By the mid-1940s, the actress was freelancing. She already had an Oscar to her credit, and had continued her winning streak at the box office. So when there was an opportunity to finally play a historical character in this Universal production, she leapt at it.
Unfortunately, MAGNIFICENT DOLL was a flop, probably for several reasons. First, I don't think Universal really knew how to market it...and second, audiences were probably not ready to see Ginger Rogers do anything but escapist entertainment. MAGNIFICENT DOLL has a serious message, which after four years of war, may not have been something her fans were interested in.
Watching the film convinces me that she was at her best when she was working in other genres, pushing herself as an actress. The set decoration is top-notch; and she gets to wear gowns by Vera West and hats by Lilly Dache. So it's a high class affair all the way.
It's the second time Burgess Meredith gets the girl in a Ginger Rogers movie. Though David Niven is higher billed, Niven is essentially playing a supporting role, because Meredith is the one holding Rogers in his arms as the final fade-out occurs.
Frank Borzage has handled the picture's direction with ease and sensitivity. Rabbi turned Hollywood executive Jack Skirball, who serves as the producer, ensures that the more melodramatic aspect of the main characters' relationship is depicted with dignity. A beautifully restored print of the film is currently available on home video...check it out and form your own opinion.
I had purchased a copy of MAGNIFICENT DOLL and was saving it-- who knows why. But what a treat to save. Ginger Rogers plays the title character, one of our country's early first ladies, Dolley Madison. She costars alongside David Niven as Aaron Burr and Burgess Meredith as James Madison.
Ginger Rogers had worked with both leading men before at her old stomping grounds RKO. She was in the romcom BACHELOR MOTHER (1939) with David Niven, and in the romcom TOM DICK AND HARRY (1941) with Burgess Meredith.
MAGNIFICENT DOLL was Rogers' first real attempt at doing historical drama. During her tenure at RKO, she sought the role of MARY OF SCOTLAND which went to her STAGE DOOR pal Katharine Hepburn. Studio bosses rejected Rogers for that part, despite doing a screen test, because they felt her playing any sort of historical figure was at odds with the persona that had been cultivated for her in musicals and romantic comedies.
By the mid-1940s, the actress was freelancing. She already had an Oscar to her credit, and had continued her winning streak at the box office. So when there was an opportunity to finally play a historical character in this Universal production, she leapt at it.
Unfortunately, MAGNIFICENT DOLL was a flop, probably for several reasons. First, I don't think Universal really knew how to market it...and second, audiences were probably not ready to see Ginger Rogers do anything but escapist entertainment. MAGNIFICENT DOLL has a serious message, which after four years of war, may not have been something her fans were interested in.
Watching the film convinces me that she was at her best when she was working in other genres, pushing herself as an actress. The set decoration is top-notch; and she gets to wear gowns by Vera West and hats by Lilly Dache. So it's a high class affair all the way.
It's the second time Burgess Meredith gets the girl in a Ginger Rogers movie. Though David Niven is higher billed, Niven is essentially playing a supporting role, because Meredith is the one holding Rogers in his arms as the final fade-out occurs.
Frank Borzage has handled the picture's direction with ease and sensitivity. Rabbi turned Hollywood executive Jack Skirball, who serves as the producer, ensures that the more melodramatic aspect of the main characters' relationship is depicted with dignity. A beautifully restored print of the film is currently available on home video...check it out and form your own opinion.