Right of Way (1983)---Better Late Than Never, The One and Only, Late-Career Pairing of Bette Davis and James Stewart

Impossible as it may be to believe, it wasn't until they were both 75-years old, that screen legends Bette Davis and James Stewart ever made a film together (both were born in 1908). While both are extremely beloved, iconic stars of the golden age, it took until 1983 for their film paths to cross for the first (and only) time.  That film, an emotional, heart-tugging, made-for-Cable-TV drama called Right of Way, also stars Melinda Dillon.  Based on Richard Lee's play of the same name, Right of Way is my addition to the "Diamonds and Gold Blogathon" hosted by Wide Screen World and Caftan Woman.  This event---dedicated to celebrating stars who were working well into their senior years---is sure to have a multitude of terrific entries.  You can access all the other articles HERE.

Elderly and long-married Teddy and Minnie Dwyer (Stewart and Davis) have recently learned that Minnie is afflicted with a terminal blood disorder.  Although there are complex treatments which could possibly buy her a bit more time, Minnie's prognosis is bleak, and the couple, who have lived together as one for years, have determined that they will die together as one.  Wanting to inform their daughter, Ruda (Melinda Dillon), of their plans, Teddy phones her and requests that she come for a visit.

Shocked by her parents' suicide plan---yet unable to talk them out of it---Ruda contacts Human Services, and after a social worker visits the Dwyer's unkempt home, Teddy and Minnie are rendered unable to care for themselves.  Knowing it is only a matter of time until they are under the state's care and no longer free to do as they please, the couple realize they will have to act quickly if they hope to be in control of when and how they die.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.




It seems amazing to me that the only pairing of these two screen legends did not take place until the tail-end of both their careers.  While I don't know how they got along on set (Bette Davis, Larger Than Life doesn't say), they gave every appearance of being a loving, devoted, decades-married couple. The tender scenes between them easily reminded me of my own parents, grandparents, and in-laws.  I found Jimmy and Bette both to be wonderful and very believable in their roles.  Bette was typical Bette---sharp-tongued and not inclined to tolerate any foolishness.  Jimmy, too, was his usual self---lovable, slightly confused, somewhat-stammering. If I closed my eyes and just let my mind go, I would have thought Margo Channing and Elwood P. Dowd had come together.  What a testament to both of them that their iconic All About Eve and Harvey characters could still be envisioned at the end of their careers.

While patient suicide and euthanasia generate much controversy here in the 21st century, back in the early 1980's, they did even more so, making Right of Way quite bold for its time. I want to make clear that while I enjoyed this film and give it 4 stars, because of my faith, I absolutely cannot condone euthanasia or patient suicide.  However, the subject is handled with dignity and sensitivity and makes for a powerful discussion-piece kind of film.  Also, with many of us Baby Boomer/Generation X'ers currently watching our own parents age, Right of Way will probably hit close to home for the bulk of us.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Right of Way is out on DVD; it is, however, available on VHS, as well as on YouTube (HERE).  I do hope you get a chance to see it, especially if you are a Bette Davis or Jimmy Stewart fan.

Happy viewing!!

An Act of Murder (4 stars)

An Act of Murder, from 1948, is a controversial-themed drama starring Fredric March, his wife Florence Eldridge, and Edmond O'Brien.  Featuring Geraldine Brooks in a supporting role, this little-known gem takes a look at the issue of mercy killing.

Hard-nosed judge Calvin Cooke (Fredric March) sits on the bench, having little tolerance for defendants or defense attorneys.  Because of his notoriously unsympathetic attitude towards those convicted of crimes, he has earned the nickname Old Maximum.  Even his daughter, Elly (Geraldine Brooks), feels that he stops being human as soon as he puts on his robe.

Just as Calvin and his wife Kathy (Florence Eldridge, Mr. March's real-life wife of 45+ years) prepare to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, Kathy finds herself having severe headaches, coupled with visual and hearing disturbances and loss of feeling on one side.  Though she has ignored the symptoms for close to a year, she makes an appointment with the family doctor, and in short order, Kathy is diagnosed as having terminal brain cancer.  Several physicians concur that the situation is completely hopeless.

The doctor informs Calvin of Kathy's prognosis; however, he lies to Kathy that she is fine---and he requests that Calvin, also, not tell her the truth of her impending death.  Though the disease will progress rapidly and Kathy will be in a great deal of pain, Calvin arranges the second honeymoon which his wife had been requesting.  On the trip, Kathy takes a dramatic turn for the worse, and Calvin, unable to bear seeing his beloved wife in agony, decides to perform a mercy killing, an action which makes him a lawbreaker and exactly the kind of man for whom he has no tolerance in the courtroom.  Defending him is none other than Dave Douglas (Edmond O'Brien), a defense attorney with whom he often clashes.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.



An Act of Murder is a really great, well-acted film, and it handles this controversial issue very well---a bit safely, but very well nonetheless.  Fredric March gives his usual terrific performance.  I really loved his character, and I loved seeing him evolve from a "black and white only" kind of guy to one who realizes that there are sometimes gray areas.  As one who has previously held tenaciously to "black and white only," but who has found that there are, indeed, gray areas, I could really empathize with and relate to Mr. March's character.   I was moved by this film and found myself getting teary-eyed on more than one occasion.   I think the fact that the real-life Mrs. Fredric March was the wife in this film probably made the situation that much more personal and real, as I felt like I was witnessing Mr. March's actual response to the terminal illness of the woman he loved.  Edmond O'Brien was very solid and capable in his role---actually, I've never seen him give anything but a quality performance.  Finally, since An Act of Murder deals with a very controversial subject---which is still greatly debated today---it makes a great discussion piece kind of film.  I think it's a definite must-see!

The film is not out on DVD, nor is it on the TCM schedule; however, it is available on YouTube.  Try to catch it there if you can.

Happy viewing!!