THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
Director: Henry Levin, 1953
One of the better biographical films made by Hollywood, THE PRESIDENT'S LADY stars Charlton Heston as Andrew Jackson, whom the actor also played in THE BUCCANEER. Heston in full make up actually looked quite a lot like Andrew Jackson in his later years.
SYNOPSIS:
It's 1791 in Nashville, Tennessee. Susan Hayward is married to philandering Whitfield Connor, a local businessman, when she meets attorney Charlton Heston, and there is an instant attraction. Hayward is having a tough time with Connor, so her mother, Fay Bainter, suggests she go to Natchez, Mississippi, to get some breathing space. Since the area is fraught with danger, Heston volunteers & accompanied her to Natchez on the riverboat. En route, Indians attack the boat, and the experience brings Heston and Hayward closer together and they fall in love. In Natchez, Hayward initiates divorce proceedings at Heston's request. Meanwhile, Heston's law partner, John McIntire, sends a note saying that Connor has sued Hayward for divorce on the grounds of her adultery with Heston. The future president is stunned by this accusation (especially since it isn't true), but he doesn't let it stop him from marrying Hayward. During this day and age divorce was one of the worst scandals anyone could be associated with. Back in Nashville, Heston decides to run for office, but he is forced to put his political career on hold when he learns that Connor's divorce has only recently been made legal, meaning that Heston and Hayward have been living in sin for a year. This is not the sort of thing candidates want on their records. Heston and Hayward marry once more at Bainter's house and all seems well, but it isn't long before Carl Betz accuses Heston of stealing another man's wife. To uphold his honor Heston challenges Betz to a duel, in which Heston is wounded and Betz killed. Tennessee society never fully accepted Hayward because of her 'divorce', which causes her great unhappiness. Years pass and Heston is nominated by his party to run for the presidency. Heston and Hayward have grown quite old at this time in the story. The campaign was very arduous, which contributed to Hayward becoming ill. She is in the audience at a campaign rally when hecklers begin insulting Heston, bringing up Betz's death and Heston's premature marriage to Hayward and her divorce. When one of the hecklers calls Hayward a "woman of ill repute," Hayward faints. Ultimately, Heston is elected president. The night of the election Hayward is on her deathbed and Heston re-new his un-dying vow of love to her. Hayward dies in his arms as he weeps over her still body. Heston is distraught by Hayward's death but goes on to become the 7th President of the United States.
Chuck has stated saying about this famous President, "I think I admired Andrew Jackson more than any of the other men of that genre I've played." Heston says "In preparation for this film, DeMille had let me see his 1938 version of THE BUCCANEER to study the character of Jackson. DeMille also let me look at some research materials he had. He was very kind about it . In fact, he loaned me a combination research item and good luck piece; a lovely little wax statuette of Jackson, about ten inches high, which I kept in my dressing room while we were shooting THE PRESIDENT'S LADY. Afterwards, I duly returned it to him. " Heston continues, "Five years later, DeMille was planning to remake THE BUCCANEER. At the time, I don't think it was settled to what extent he was planning to involve himself in the production. I still had one picture left on the contract that Paramount had purchased from Hal Wallis. I asked to play Jackson in a cameo role to use up the remaining commitment. He thought it was a fine idea. The intended cameo role, however blossomed into a considerable part as the script developed. As additional recompense, DeMille gave me the little wax statue of Jackson to keep. This statue now sits on my home office desk. "
*NOTE: SEE PICTURE BELOW OF DeMILLE GIVING THIS STATUE TO CHUCK
AWARDS: THE PRESIDENT'S LADY received Oscar nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction-Set Direction.
MY COMMENTS:
Susan Hayward gives an outstanding performance, as usual. Ben Nye's terrific makeup job helped her to successfully aged from 18 to 61. Nye also did a very convincing job on Heston's make up to help him age during the story. Pictures of Jackson compaired to Chuck in make-up almost look a like! Susan and Chuck had a 'chemistry' between them that made their romantic scenes some of the tenderest in Chuck's movie career. Chuck gives a wonderful performance as a young 'Jackson' which ages some 40 years during the movie. Chuck did an excellent job with this role and it was very evident that he had done tons of research on Jackson to fully grasp the role. As a love story between two very famous people THE PRESIDENT'S LADY is done very well.
MY FAVORITE MOVIE PICK
BLACK & WHITE PICTURES FROM
THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
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MORE INFOMATION ON
THE PRESIDENT'S LADY:
Academy Award Nomination: Best Art Direction-Set
Decoration (B/W) - Lyle Wheeler (Art Direction),
Leland Fuller (Art Direction),Paul S Fox(SetDecoration)
Best Costume Design (B/W) - Charles LeMaire, Renie
Country of origin: U.S.
Genre: Biography
Color or b/w: Black & White
Production Co(s).: Fox
Released By: Fox
MPAA rating: NR
Parental rating: Acceptable to Children
Running time: 96
CAST:
Charlton Heston- Andrew Jackson
Susan Hayward- Rachel Donelson Robards
John McIntire-Jack Overton
Fay Bainter -Mrs. Donelson
Whitfield Connor -Lewis Robards
Carl Betz -Charles Dickinson
Gladys Hurlbut-Mrs. Phariss
Ruth Attaway -Moll
Charles Dingle-Capt. Irwin
Nina Varela -Mrs. Stark
Margaret Wycherly -Mrs. Robards
Ralph Dumke -Col. Stark
Jim Davis -Jason
Robert B. Williams -William
Trudy Marshall -Jane
Howard Negley -Cruthers
Dayton Lummis -Dr. May
Harris Brown -Clark
Zon Murray -Jacob
James Best -Samuel
Selmer Jackson -Col. Green
Juanita Evers -Mrs. Green
George Melford -Minister
CREDITS:
Producer: Sol C. Siegel
Director: Henry Levin
Writer: John Patrick (based on the novel by Irving Stone)
Cinematographer: Leo Tover
Editor: William B. Murphy
Music Composer: Alfred Newman
Art Director: Lyle Wheeler and
Leland Fuller
Set Decorator: Paul S. Fox
Special Effects: Ray Kellogg
Costume Design: Renie
Make Up: Ben Nye
DeMILLE GIVING CHUCK A STATUE OF JACKSON
GRAPHICS LOADING
COLOR PICTURES FROM
THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
SUSAN HAYWARD CLICK ON THE PICTURE
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THE PRESIDENT'S LADY
1953
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Previous Counter Number: 14086
Replaced on 2-14-07
