Thursday, June 23, 2011

Lizzie (3 stars)

Lizzie, starring one of my favorite actresses, Eleanor Parker, is a 1957 drama that explores the subject of multiple personalities.  This is a role which, I think, really shows the amazing range Eleanor had as an actress.   She is joined here by Richard Boone and Joan Blondell.


Elizabeth Richmond is a quiet and rather dowdy-looking young woman, who suffers from forgetfulness and chronic headaches. Socially awkward, she refuses the invitations of her co-workers and, instead, prefers to retreat to the home she shares with her aunt. While at work one day, Elizabeth discovers a threatening letter in her purse, signed by "Lizzie." She has no idea who Lizzie is or why Lizzie would want to kill her.


Later that evening, after transforming into Lizzie, a bold and brash seductress, Elizabeth ventures out.  While enjoying drinks and flirtations with a man, Lizzie writes another threatening letter to Elizabeth.

Lizzie isn't the only personality living inside Elizabeth, though.  There's also Beth, the likeable "real" personality of this young woman.  It will take the skill of a good psychiatrist to uncover Beth and bring her to life.  That, of course, is the focus of this film.




Oh, there's a little treat in this movie, in the form of a very young Johnny Mathis singing "It's Not for Me To Say" in the nightclub scene.  Those who enjoy the velvet voice of Mr. Mathis will love it.

Happy viewing!!