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{{short description|1933 film by Lowell Sherman}} {{Short description|1933 film by Lowell Sherman}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Morning Glory | name = Morning Glory
| image = Morning_Glory_1933_US_poster.jpg | image = Morning_Glory_1933_US_poster.jpg
| caption = Original US cinema poster | caption = Original US cinema poster
| image_size =
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = ] | producer = ]
| screenplay = Howard J. Green | screenplay = Howard J. Green
| based on = {{based on|''Morning Glory '' (play)|]}} | based_on = {{based on|''Morning Glory '' (play)|]}}
| starring = ]<br/> ] <br/> ] | starring = ]<br/> ] <br/> ]
| music = ] | music = ]
Line 19: Line 18:
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $239,000<ref name="rko">Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', ''Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television'', Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p55</ref> | budget = $239,000<ref name="rko">Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', ''Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television'', Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p55</ref>
| gross = $582,000<ref name="rko"/> | gross = $582,000<ref name="rko"/>
}} }}


'''''Morning Glory''''' is a 1933 American ] ] which tells the story of an eager would-be actress and her journey to stardom, and what she loses as a result. The picture stars ], ], and ], was adapted by Howard J. Green from a then-unproduced stage play of the same name<ref name=AFI> Linked 2013-11-02</ref> by ], and was directed by ]. Hepburn won her first ] for this movie. ''Morning Glory'' was remade in 1958 under the title '']''. '''''Morning Glory''''' is a 1933 American ] ] which tells the story of an eager would-be actress and her journey to stardom, and her gains and losses. The picture stars ], ], and ], was adapted by Howard J. Green from a then-unproduced stage play of the same name<ref name=AFI> Linked 2013-11-02</ref> by ], and was directed by ]. Hepburn won her first ]. ''Morning Glory'' was remade in 1958 under the title '']''.


==Plot== ==Plot==
Eva Lovelace (]) is a performer from a small town who has dreamed since childhood of making it big on Broadway. She has evidently gone to many auditions, but no one has given her a break. At the management office of the Easton Theatre, where she hopes to land a role, another actress, current star Rita Vernon (]), breezes in to see the handsome middle-aged theater owner and producer, Louis Easton (]), a consummate businessman who is well aware of his prestige in the theater world. Blonde diva Rita is high-handed and self-absorbed, with an alcohol problem as well, but she's under verbal contract to Easton. She shamelessly flirts as she negotiates a deal; she'll accept a small role (which she doesn't want) in the upcoming play, for one big concession: her pick of roles in the next production. The principals are taking a risk that she'll contain her artistic temperament and lay off the bottle. Even so, her name and fame will help launch the play, a new comedy by Joseph Sheridan (]) Eva Lovelace is an aspiring performer from a small town who dreams of making it big on ]. Despite attending numerous auditions, she hasn't been given an opportunity yet. At the management office of the Easton Theatre, star actress Rita Vernon, known for her diva behavior and alcohol problem, negotiates a deal with the theater owner and producer, Louis Easton. Rita accepts a small role in an upcoming play in exchange for her pick of roles in the next production. Eva impresses Robert Hedges, an experienced actor, who agrees to help her. Playwright Joseph Sheridan is also captivated by Eva's vibrant personality. Months pass, and Eva struggles to find significant roles while moving frequently due to financial difficulties.


Hedges eventually finds Eva in a desperate situation and takes her to a celebrity party at Easton's apartment. Inebriated, Eva makes a scene, but surprises everyone by delivering powerful Shakespearean monologues. She falls asleep and is put to bed by Easton's butler. The next morning, Easton, feeling guilty for taking advantage of Eva's innocence, confides in Sheridan and asks for his help. Sheridan, who is secretly in love with Eva, decides not to reveal the truth to her, causing her to leave with the belief that her night with Easton marks the start of a committed relationship.
Meanwhile, as she waits to see if she'll get a chance to talk to Easton, Eva meets and impresses Robert Hedges (]), an experienced character actor also under contract to Easton. Delighted with her childlike ebullience, Hedges agrees to help her. He takes Eva into the office and introduces her as his protegee. Sheridan, there to cast his upcoming comedy production, is also immediately struck by Eva's vivacious and eccentric personality, A non-stop talker, Eva bubbles over with intensity about her small town bourgeois background and her belief in non-conformity and self-realization. She declares that after a long and successful career, she'll kill herself onstage as a dramatic farewell to her fans. Joseph is entranced, but the aristocratic Easton sees her as too young and inexperienced, even somewhat crazy.


Months go by, and Eva repeatedly tries to see Easton, who ignores her. Sheridan keeps his feelings hidden as well. Easton's theater company prepares to showcase Sheridan's new play, with Rita as the star. On opening night, Rita demands a written contract with a huge salary increase and half the profits from the play. Feeling cornered, Easton considers complying, but Sheridan suggests bringing in Eva as a surprise understudy instead. Reluctantly, Easton agrees, leading to Rita storming off the set.
Months pass. Hedges has lost touch with Eva. She frequently moves due to poor finances and hasn't been cast in meaningful roles. Hedges finds her struggling and hungry. Eva expresses regret that Easton gave her a small role in one of his lesser plays, one which flopped. She bravely declares she won't take any more offers, unless the role truly suits her abilities. Realizing she's broke and basically starving, Hodges escorts her to a celebrity party at Easton's apartment. Eva quickly downs two glasses of champagne, although she's not a drinker. Inebriated, Eva sits on the arm of Easton's chair, stroking his face and vowing to prove her dramatic talents to him. She makes a spectacle of herself before the bemused party guests. Then unexpectedly she gives two Shakespearean orations, Hamlet's well-known monologue ("to be or not to be") followed by Juliet's balcony scene. The difference in the roles demonstrates her art; she gets a polite ovation from the guests and further impresses Sheridan. Eva lays her head on Easton's lap and promptly falls asleep. His butler put her to bed in his own bedroom.


In Rita's dressing room, Eva and Sheridan find themselves together. Overwhelmed by the sudden opportunity, Eva is filled with doubt and fear. She feels unable to perform in front of Easton, and questions her own talents and inevitable failure. Sheridan reassures her, reminding her of her strength, beauty, and natural acting abilities. Encouraged by his words, Eva regains her confidence and decides to embrace the role.
The next morning, Easton asks Sheridan for help. Easton gave in to temptation and explains the encounter through innuendo. He's remorseful at taking advantage of a girl's innocence and can't face her. Joseph is devastated to learn that the overnight guest was Eva. Easton apologizes and leaves. A radiant Eva comes downstairs and sees Joseph, whom she regards as "just a friend." Happily she tells him everything. To her, the night with Easton is the beginning of a long commitment. Joseph can't bring himself to break her heart. He lets her go without explaining.


As predicted by Sheridan, Eva's performance is a resounding success. Backstage, Easton reconciles with Eva, offering her his professional friendship and support. After Easton leaves, Sheridan musters the courage to confess his love for Eva, but she remains silent, leaving their relationship uncertain. Left alone with her dresser, an elderly former star known as "morning glory," Eva is comforted and reminded that true love is the most important thing in life, as her dresser once made the mistake of choosing fame over love.
More months pass. Eva has tried numerous times to see Easton. Unwilling to face her, Easton has simply ignored her. Joseph keeps his own love a secret. Easton's theater company is ready to showcase Joseph's dramatic masterpiece. The play will star Rita Vernon. Joseph approves of her performance in rehearsals. Backstage on opening night, Rita calls Easton into her dressing room. Heretofore she and Easton have had only verbal agreements. Aware of the power she holds at this late hour, Rita now has outrageous demands. She wants a written contract with a huge salary increase and half the profits from the entire run of the play. Otherwise, she won't go onstage. Easton thinks he has no choice but to comply. Joseph draws him aside. He urges Easton to let Rita go. Instead, they can bring in a special understudy, one he's kept secret until this very moment. She is now revealed as Eva Lovelace. Easton reluctantly agrees and Rita storms off the set.


Renewed and ready to face the challenges ahead, Eva prepares herself for the rocky road to stardom. The film ends on an optimistic note, with Eva confidently declaring to her dresser that she is unafraid to be a "morning glory."
Eva and Joseph end up together in the star's dressing room. Faced with this sudden opportunity, Eva seems overcome with doubt and fear. She can't perform with Easton in the audience; they haven't even spoken since their night together. She feels unsure of her talents, doomed to failure. Joseph reassures her that she can handle whatever is thrown at her. She's strong and beautiful, a born actress who can now prove it. Buoyantly, Eva rallies, gathers her self-confidence and resolves to conquer the role.


==Cast==
The film resumes with everyone onstage taking their bows to tremendous applause. Eva is a complete success. Backstage after the amazing debut, Easton reconciles with Eva, offering her his professional friendship and aid. When he goes, Joseph gathers the courage to declare his love for Eva. Unsure of everything, Eva hushes him and makes him leave. Now she's there with only her dresser, an elegant elderly lady who was herself once a brief star or "morning glory." The dresser comforts Eva, assuring her that she has the talent to succeed in show business and life; but really only one thing matters, true love. She knows that because she once spurned the love she was offered, choosing fame instead, at the beginning of her all too brief career. Renewed, Eva readies herself to forge down the rocky road to stardom ahead of her. The film ends with some uncertainty, but on an upbeat note. Once again self-confident, dramatic to the heart, Eva declares to her dresser, "I'm not afraid...to be a morning glory. I am not afraid!"

==Main cast==
] ]
*] as Eva Lovelace *] as Eva Lovelace
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When RKO bought the rights to the play from ], it still hadn't been produced on stage. It eventually saw a limited stage run in 1939.<ref name=AFI/> The director Lowell Sherman managed to get the RKO bosses to agree that he was given a week of rehearsal with the actors before the shooting began, in return for promising a shooting schedule of only 18 days (April 21 - May 12, 1933).<ref name=AFI/> Unlike most feature films, ''Morning Glory'' was shot in the same sequence as the script. Katharine Hepburn was paid $2,500 per week for her work on the picture, for which she eventually won her first ].<ref name=AFI/> When RKO bought the rights to the play from ], it still hadn't been produced on stage. It eventually saw a limited stage run in 1939.<ref name=AFI/> The director Lowell Sherman managed to get the RKO bosses to agree that he was given a week of rehearsal with the actors before the shooting began, in return for promising a shooting schedule of only 18 days (April 21 - May 12, 1933).<ref name=AFI/> Unlike most feature films, ''Morning Glory'' was shot in the same sequence as the script. Katharine Hepburn was paid $2,500 per week for her work on the picture, for which she eventually won her first ].<ref name=AFI/>


==Reception== ==Box office==
After cinema circuits deducted their exhibition share of boxoffice ticket sales this production earned a profit of $115,000.<ref name="rko"/> After cinema circuits deducted their exhibition share of box office tickets, this film earned a profit of $115,000.<ref name="rko"/>


==Radio adaptation== ==Radio adaptations==
In October, 1942, ] broadcast a radio adaptation of the film, starring ] as Eva Lovelace and ] reprising his role of Louis Easton. Garland performed the song "]" on the broadcast. On September 19, 1938 '']'' broadcast a one-hour radio adaptation of the film, starring ], ] and ].<ref name="Reading Eagle">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ohkxAAAAIBAJ&pg=2155%2C3547475&q=Lux+Radio+Theatre |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Lux Radio Theatre Tonight (advertisement) |page=13 |newspaper=The Reading Eagle |date=1938-09-19 |access-date=2021-05-20 }}</ref> On October 12, 1942 a second '']'' adaptation was aired, this time starring ] as Eva Lovelace, with ] reprising his role of Louis Easton.<ref name="Pittsburgh Press 2">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sXcbAAAAIBAJ&pg=2626%2C4347773&q=Judv+Garland+Adolphe+Menijou+John+Pav+Morning+Glory |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Pittsburgh Radio Programs -- Monday Afternoon and Evening |page=25 |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=1942-10-12 |access-date=2021-05-20 }}</ref> Garland performed the song "]" on the broadcast.


In 1949, a second radio adaptation was aired on the radio, this time with Elizabeth Taylor in the lead role of Eva Lovelace. On April 7, 1949 a half-hour radio adaptation was aired on '']'' with ] in the lead role of Eva Lovelace.<ref name="Toledo">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=y3pOAAAAIBAJ&pg=2748%2C1476477&q=Morning+Glory+Elizabeth+Taylor |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Thursday Selections |page=4 (Peach Section) |newspaper=Toledo Blade (Ohio) |date=1949-04-07 |access-date=2021-05-20 }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
*{{AFI film|4905}} *{{AFI film|4905}}
*{{IMDb title|0024353}} *{{IMDb title|0024353}}
*{{tcmdb title|920}} *{{TCMDb title|920}}
*{{Amg movie|33357}}


{{Lowell Sherman}} {{Lowell Sherman}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 02:35, 22 December 2024

1933 film by Lowell Sherman
Morning Glory
Original US cinema poster
Directed byLowell Sherman
Screenplay byHoward J. Green
Based onMorning Glory (play)
by Zoë Akins
Produced byPandro S. Berman
StarringKatharine Hepburn
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Adolphe Menjou
CinematographyBert Glennon
Edited byWilliam Hamilton
Music byMax Steiner
Production
company		RKO Radio Pictures
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures (US)
Release date
  • August 18, 1933 (1933-08-18) (US)
Running time70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$239,000
Box office$582,000

Morning Glory is a 1933 American Pre-Code drama film which tells the story of an eager would-be actress and her journey to stardom, and her gains and losses. The picture stars Katharine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Adolphe Menjou, was adapted by Howard J. Green from a then-unproduced stage play of the same name by Zoë Akins, and was directed by Lowell Sherman. Hepburn won her first Academy Award for Best Actress. Morning Glory was remade in 1958 under the title Stage Struck.

Plot

Eva Lovelace is an aspiring performer from a small town who dreams of making it big on Broadway. Despite attending numerous auditions, she hasn't been given an opportunity yet. At the management office of the Easton Theatre, star actress Rita Vernon, known for her diva behavior and alcohol problem, negotiates a deal with the theater owner and producer, Louis Easton. Rita accepts a small role in an upcoming play in exchange for her pick of roles in the next production. Eva impresses Robert Hedges, an experienced actor, who agrees to help her. Playwright Joseph Sheridan is also captivated by Eva's vibrant personality. Months pass, and Eva struggles to find significant roles while moving frequently due to financial difficulties.

Hedges eventually finds Eva in a desperate situation and takes her to a celebrity party at Easton's apartment. Inebriated, Eva makes a scene, but surprises everyone by delivering powerful Shakespearean monologues. She falls asleep and is put to bed by Easton's butler. The next morning, Easton, feeling guilty for taking advantage of Eva's innocence, confides in Sheridan and asks for his help. Sheridan, who is secretly in love with Eva, decides not to reveal the truth to her, causing her to leave with the belief that her night with Easton marks the start of a committed relationship.

Months go by, and Eva repeatedly tries to see Easton, who ignores her. Sheridan keeps his feelings hidden as well. Easton's theater company prepares to showcase Sheridan's new play, with Rita as the star. On opening night, Rita demands a written contract with a huge salary increase and half the profits from the play. Feeling cornered, Easton considers complying, but Sheridan suggests bringing in Eva as a surprise understudy instead. Reluctantly, Easton agrees, leading to Rita storming off the set.

In Rita's dressing room, Eva and Sheridan find themselves together. Overwhelmed by the sudden opportunity, Eva is filled with doubt and fear. She feels unable to perform in front of Easton, and questions her own talents and inevitable failure. Sheridan reassures her, reminding her of her strength, beauty, and natural acting abilities. Encouraged by his words, Eva regains her confidence and decides to embrace the role.

As predicted by Sheridan, Eva's performance is a resounding success. Backstage, Easton reconciles with Eva, offering her his professional friendship and support. After Easton leaves, Sheridan musters the courage to confess his love for Eva, but she remains silent, leaving their relationship uncertain. Left alone with her dresser, an elderly former star known as "morning glory," Eva is comforted and reminded that true love is the most important thing in life, as her dresser once made the mistake of choosing fame over love.

Renewed and ready to face the challenges ahead, Eva prepares herself for the rocky road to stardom. The film ends on an optimistic note, with Eva confidently declaring to her dresser that she is unafraid to be a "morning glory."

Cast

Lobby card

Production

In pre-production, the script had been tailored to fit the talents of Constance Bennett, then RKO's biggest attraction. However, when newcomer Katharine Hepburn read the script, she convinced producer Pandro S. Berman that she was born to play the part, and she was given the role over the more popular Bennett, who was thereupon reassigned to Bed of Roses (1933).

When RKO bought the rights to the play from Zoë Akins, it still hadn't been produced on stage. It eventually saw a limited stage run in 1939. The director Lowell Sherman managed to get the RKO bosses to agree that he was given a week of rehearsal with the actors before the shooting began, in return for promising a shooting schedule of only 18 days (April 21 - May 12, 1933). Unlike most feature films, Morning Glory was shot in the same sequence as the script. Katharine Hepburn was paid $2,500 per week for her work on the picture, for which she eventually won her first Academy Award for Best Actress.

Box office

After cinema circuits deducted their exhibition share of box office tickets, this film earned a profit of $115,000.

Radio adaptations

On September 19, 1938 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast a one-hour radio adaptation of the film, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Melvyn Douglas and Ralph Bellamy. On October 12, 1942 a second Lux Radio Theatre adaptation was aired, this time starring Judy Garland as Eva Lovelace, with Adolphe Menjou reprising his role of Louis Easton. Garland performed the song "I'll Remember April" on the broadcast.

On April 7, 1949 a half-hour radio adaptation was aired on Hallmark Playhouse with Elizabeth Taylor in the lead role of Eva Lovelace.

References

  1. ^ Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p55
  2. ^ AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Morning Glory Linked 2013-11-02
  3. "Lux Radio Theatre Tonight (advertisement)". The Reading Eagle. 1938-09-19. p. 13. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  4. "Pittsburgh Radio Programs -- Monday Afternoon and Evening". The Pittsburgh Press. 1942-10-12. p. 25. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  5. "Thursday Selections". Toledo Blade (Ohio). 1949-04-07. p. 4 (Peach Section). Retrieved 2021-05-20.

External links

Films directed by Lowell Sherman
Categories: