Um Piano Para Mrs. Cimino

What a trip to read about the movie with BD and Keenan Wynn filmed for 2 days at my house on Superba St/Blvd.in Venice, CA. for 2 days in the scene where Betty gets back together with Keenan Wynn. I remember how uptight Betty was when our black cat got out of the bedroom and ran across the set in the living room and she freaked out. When I left for work the first day of filming Keenan was outside and invited me to come sit with him, a sweet, sweet man. My late ex-wife was 6 months pregnant with our firstborn and the fees paid for our belated honeymoon in Kauai! I remember coming home from work and Keenan was making out with Betty on our sofa! Sweet Hollywood memories!

In a very sympathetic and sensitive manner this fine little TV-movie portrays the difficulties of old age - and the problems that arise when the younger generation has to make a decision: what shall we do when our grandparents can't manage their lives any more. Bette Davis is very touching as she struggles for her self-responsibility. The film has many aspects, even love between older people, which gives it an additional touch of romance. Though the pacing is at times somewhat slow, this is not a flaw. It contributes to the overall atmosphere - the light and dark sides of old age.

7 out of 10

The story has two story lines: the visual story and the underlying one. It opens as Davis is forcibly removed from her home and taken to a hospital, the result of deep depression after the death of her husband. She hasn't fully recovered when she returns home. Neither of her sons can take her into their home, and make decisions to sell her home, move her into a nursing home and put her music business in the hands of a banker. A grand-daughter is her only ally and searches for an assisted living home that is not institutional. The movie gives thoughtful looks at differences in elder care. One day Davis plays the Rec Hall piano and mentions that her piano was given away. Eventually she moves away from the area into an active retirement hotel in California (I think). At the home's Christmas Party she meets Wynn, the saxophone player she remembers from the days he played in her husband's band. They begin seeing each other and enjoying music. One night a storm prevents her from returning home and she spends the night at Wynn's, who gives her the bed yet sleeps on the couch. Her family is notified of her absence and assumes it is another example of her confusion and unreliability. All her finances are in the hands of others. She begins legal action to resolve the situation, whereupon the people handling her financial interests bring all her miss-steps to light in the most unfavorable light. I've worked with many elder people and find this story is VERY close to the truth. It's an excellent window on elder problems.

I saw this many years ago. It becomes more & more meaningful as I see these experiences in real life. It should be repeated on the air for younger viewers to become more aware of what the future may hold for them -so they can attempt to prevent what may otherwise be the inevitable. I have often thought that Bette should have ended her career with this film. After that she was 'too old looking' to go on doing interviews & films. We do not need to remember people as they become too old & wrinkly. She was a beautiful star & an excellent actress. As a child, I remember thinking she was a 'bad person'. Even so, I was always anxious to see her movies & eventually realized it was the characters she played that made the child in me think Bette was the bad person. She played her parts well.

When the story begins, Mrs. Cimino (Bette Davis) is being forcibly taken to the hospital. Why? Because she is pretty much out of her mind. So it's not surprising that she is adjudicated as incompetent and a conservator is appointed to watch over her finances. She also is fortunate to be placed in a memory care facility which focuses on working with dementia patients. Over time and with assistance from the program, Mrs. Cimino regains her faculties and what she wants next is a return of her rights...such as the right to control her own money.

The film is important because films almost never talk about the elderly and especially dementia. Here, the story not only talks about it but provides hope. A nice film with some lovely acting...it's well worth seeing and is yet another terrific made for TV movie starring Ms. Davis.