La flamme du passé

What plays on the surface as a "romantic triangle" film carries a strong anti-McCarthyism message. Robert Young is the once-idealistic President of an exclusive Women's College who years earlier had trysted with Joan Crawford, a Congresswoman who has made a film depicting aspects of injustice. Crawford wants to reunite with Young and have the film played during Graduation Weekend. The school's trustees don't want the film shown, thinking it too "dangerous" for their students to see. The characters' arguments about democratic values play well with a modern audience, and both the political and the romantic aspects of the plot unfold in an engrossing and entertaining manner.

I'm glad to see that TCM has chosen to include this film in its lineup. I have, however, noted an error in the TCM and Wikipedia summaries regarding filming location. Both cite Occidental College in Eagle Rock, Calif. as the site for outdoor scene filming. In fact, most if not all were shot on the University of Redlands campus in Redlands, Calif. I attended the U. of R. for 4 years and graduated in the outdoor Greek Theater that appears in the film. Other scenes show the U. of R.'s distinctive chapel with the San Bernardino Mountains beyond, as well as the school's administration building on Ad Hill, its quadrangle and residence halls. The movie was shot two years before I enrolled there. Perhaps Warner Bros. had originally intended to film Goodbye My Fancy on the Occidental campus (much closer to the studio) and for whatever reason had to switch at the last minute to Redlands, but the planned LA area location remained on the studio's records.

This was one of Crawford's last films under her Warner Brothers contract and was probably here first big box-office failure since her MGM days eight years earlier. The film is not too bad, but not as good as "Mildred Pierce," "Possessed" or "Flamingo Road." Crawford plays a congress woman who returns to her alma mater to receive an honorary degree, but finds romance with professor Robert Young.

As a devoted fan of old movies which were released when I was a little boy and in those days already an ardent film fan and moviegoer, I was highly surprised to see this film on TCM today because I had never heard of it. But I was certainly glad to have finally caught up with it. As the plot unfolded it became obvious that this must have been originally a finely crafted stage play from the way it led you sympathetically from one character to another and kept you in complete suspense as to different possible denouements for the action. In fact it reminded me of some of Terrence Rattigan's finer plays. But now I see that the play was written by the wife(?) of Garson Kanin. I thoroughly agree with the first review that the romantic side of the plot, though very touching, was by no means all there was to it. Strong statements on wider issues such as academic freedom, ability of big money to call the educational tune, the growing up out of illusions which must be discarded (very Ibsen or George Bernard Shaw) all were pithily and dramatically dealt with and skillfully presented to the audience. The side roles (especially Eve Arden) were all brilliantly executed in that wise-cracking, zany style that made the plays of the 1920s and 30s such favorites. And the main leads (Crawford, Young, etc) were equally outstanding in their emotional portrayals. This film was at least 10-15 years ahead of its time. When the 1960s finally rolled around American youth finally took the blinders off just the way Kanin and the makers of this film advocated. A brilliant and enthralling accomplishment. I wish we could all personally congratulate all the makers of this film of 50 years ago.

Despite the low rating and mixed reviews, there was no doubt about seeing 'Goodbye, My Fancy' anyway as part of my quest to see as much of Joan Crawford's filmography as possible. Crawford gave so many great performances, as well as some not so good ones during her twilight period, and Eve Arden was always a plus to any film she was in. Vincent Sherman was an uneven director but did do some very good films such as 'Mr Skeffington' and 'The Damned Don't Cry'.

'Goodbye My Fancy' is not one of those very good films. Actually thought it was towards being of Crawford's weaker films, though she did do worse, and am going to agree with those that felt that she was miscast. That's being said with a heavy heart. It does have its good things, namely two good performances that remarkably rises above their material, but 'Goodbye My Fancy' fails to live up to its potential and Crawford deserved a lot better than this.

Shall start off with talking about the good things. It looks good, the one exception being Arden's frightful hair here that does not flatter her. Crawford looks typically elegant and the photography is at its best luminous. Arden has some nice witty lines.

The two good performances come from Arden and Robert Young. There was no surprise that Arden would be good, she very seldom disappointed and despite deserving better she brought a dry wit and elegance to what she is given. Young has a rather underwritten character but remarkably his acting wasn't bland, actually found it very distinguished and easy to like with him being by far the most rootable of the three leads.

As said already, Crawford didn't work for me. She tries hard, too hard in fact, and the role needed a lighter touch than what she actually gave it. Here she overacts and it overbalances the film in my view, it was like she thought she was acting in a melodrama. Worse was Frank Lovejoy, who really got on my nerves fast to the extent that one is at a loss in understanding what anybody sees in him. Lurene Tuttle could have done with a toning down, too shrill. Very few of the characters are easy to get behind, Matt especially is just obnoxious, due to being annoying or dull. Woody held my attention most and that is namely down to how Arden played her.

Moreover, the script could have done with a lot more bite and also subtlety, as well as wit. Too filmed play-like and on the too heavy side. The story tended to be dull and the primary subplot felt underdeveloped. Will agree too that the ending is a real let down, very contrived with a final decision that doesn't make sense in the slightest and feels like a cheat. Sherman directs with too much of a heavy hand and fails to do any kind of reigning in, while also being quite leaden.

In conclusion, rather lacklustre with two good performances and nice production values but Crawford fans best look elsewhere. 4/10