Little Gloria... Happy at Last

"Little Gloria...Happy at Last" is a two-part television mini-series about the unhappy childhood and child custody trial for Gloria Vanderbilt.

The story begins with Gloria Morgan meeting and falling for Reggie Vanderbilt. They soon marry, have a child and then Reggie dies...all withing about 2-3 years. The widow soon learns how dire her financial situation is. The alcoholic Reggie apparently blew through almost his entire fortune. Apart from a couple properties, the only other asset is a trust fund for $2,500,000. But since Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt is not yet 21, an executor is appointed to dispense money for little Gloria.

During the next eight or so years, the mother mostly parties and has fun in Europe...while leaving the child to be raised by a goofy nanny...often in a different country. To call the mother neglectful and selfish would be reasonable. When Gloria Morgan later petitions to have herself appointed little Gloria's guardian (and get rid of the court appointed executor), the trial has a surprising twist, as Gloria Morgan's own mother and step-sister file for custody of the child. Is this a selfless thing being done to save poor little Gloria...or is a bid to try to take control of the child's trust fund?

Part one of the story consists of Gloria Morgan and Reggie Vanderbilt meeting, marrying, Reggie dying and the mother and child leaving to live in Europe. Part two picks up just after the petition by Gloria Morgan's mother and step-sister is filed. Most of the second part is about the hysteria and ensuing trial. Through all this, what's best for little Gloria seems secondary...at best.

The reason I watched this mini-series is mostly because it's one of Bette Davis' final performances. She was just fine though wasn't a major character in the shows. Now this doesn't mean the mini-series is bad...just that if you only care about Davis, you might be disappointed.

Overall, this is a very good but also an incredibly sad mini-series. Well acted and well made throughout.

This movie was very well done. Lucy Gutteridge did a wonderful and believable portrayal of Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt. You can feel her pain as you follow along. The actress who played little Gloria looked just like Gloria Laura Vanderbilt which helped to make her credible. Angela Lansbury was also amazing as Gertrude Vanderbilt, I ended up disliking her by the end of the movie (which is rare for this actress). Definitely see this movie.

I remember seeing this one weekend years back, and really thought the story was cruel. The film portrays the custody battle of young socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, legend in the world of fashion design, and the possible ramifications of this emotional turmoil.

The thing that struck me about this movie was that it didn't feel like a movie. It was technically very competent, but didn't move well. There were props, there were costumes, there were sets, even one or two locations (though I seem to recall that most of the movie was comprised of interior shots), but there was little in terms of moving the story along, and less action.

Most of the film, from what I recall, was comprised of emotional vignettes. Like they were episodes out of a TV series as opposed to a feature film. Now that I've found this entry on the IMDb I understand that this was a made for TV movie, which makes a little more sense. Even so, not that I know that and it explains my viewing experience, I can't say that I would recommend this film nor call it good. It struck me as a movie made about a wealthy individual's childhood. A story that had emotional ups and downs, but otherwise wasn't much different than any other custody battle except that it involved the rich and famous.

And I guess that's what gets me about this film. For all of its gloss the basic tale wasn't anything more than a glitzed up version of "Kramer versus Kramer" or a made for TV movie thereof. We see suggestive tawdry details, but we're not really privy as to whether they're actually true or not. And that's the other thing that holds back this film; you don't know how much truth there is on either side of the trial. So, as a viewer, what do you do with that? I endured it, and sat through it, but to be exceedingly honest, I wish I had tuned it out.

I can't recommend this film in any capacity unless you're into the whole custody battle thing, and like stories about rich and famous people's childhoods. It's visually rich in terms of the shots that are there, and you do sympathize with young Gloria as her family tears itself asunder, but if this had been a couple in a trailer park, or a couple living out in rural or mountainous America, would you still find it interesting? If it had been a couple in India, Bhutan, outer Mongolia, Portugal, Brazilian Amazon, would you still tune in and sit through it? Of course you wouldn't.

I saw it once, and once was enough. To be fair it's an okay movie for what it is, but the entire production felt like it could have been more in terms of material portrayed, as well as trimmed down in terms of length.

Give it a shot.

I knew absolutely nothing about the Vanderbilt scandal, so when I watched Little Gloria...Happy at Last, I was completely surprised by every turn. Those who are very well versed in their socialite history might be a little bored or come to the miniseries with their own points of view. As it was, I got the distinct impression that William Hanley's screenplay, based on Barbara Goldsmith's book, had its own axe to grind. Without spoiling the story, I will just say that there is no clear-cut villain, but instead several potentials.

Lucy Gutteridge takes the lead as Gloria Vanderbilt, the older. It's a little ironic that Lucy Gutteridge was cast as Mother Gloria Vanderbilt, when she bore such a striking resemblance to what Little Gloria grew into as an adult. As a teen girl, Lucy gets swept off her feet by the older, world-wise Christopher Plummer. They marry, much to the delight of her money-hungry mother, Glynis Johns, but soon after the birth of their daughter, Chris drinks himself to death. Young, alone, and with an inheritance she believes is unfair, she becomes a careless mother who would rather galivant in nightclubs. The baby's nurse, Maureen Stapleton, forges a bond with Glynis and vows to help the child grow up with a Catholic faith, despite her Protestant christening. As Lucy becomes more distant and self-centered, Maureen becomes the most important fixture in the child's life. With the Lindbergh kidnapping case in the newspapers, Little Gloria becomes fearful and clings further to Maureen.

I loved Bette Davis's performance as Lucy's formidable mother-in-law. Stripped of her false eyelashes and over-the-top makeup, she really toned down her delivery and channeled her inner Gladys Cooper. A far cry from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, she seemed to finally adapt to modern times. Martin Balsam was once again cast as a lawyer who's not very good at his job (poor guy), and it was ironic because he also played the defense attorney in the tv movie The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case. Angela Lansbury's character was my favorite, as she was the only one who acted unselfishly and with the child's best interest at heart. Also toned down, she was subtle, savvy, and played a good match as Bette Davis's daughter. If the story interests you, rent this three-hour miniseries for a lot of soap and some very beautiful costumes and houses. It's a little dated, and part of it is upsetting, but you should be expecting some soap opera elements to a Vanderbilt story.

They don't make miniseries like this any more. Superb all star cast playing interesting historical characters in a straightforward clear and detailed way. Better than a lot of newer series that muddle things with non linear plots and focus on the obscure and salacious. Here the reasons for the custody battle financial and otherwise are clearly explained.

Lucy Gutteridge plays the too young widow who gallivants through Europe. Angela Lansbury plays Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney of the Museum game the aunt who alongside the nasty money faced Mother sues for custody of little Gloria. Supporting cast are so well cast including Christopher Plummer as the Father who died.

The sets and mansions are sumptuous. The trial is riveting. Along with Poor Little Rich Girl this one is just superb.