The Helen Morgan Story

Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Ann Blyth, Paul Newman, Richard Carlson, Gene Evans, Alan King, Cara Wilson
Genre: Biography/Drama/Music 1957
Running time: 118 mins.
Rating:★½

Helen Morgan (Ann Blyth) has beauty, talent, success. Yet they mean nothing to her without the love of Larry Maddox (Paul Newman), the bootlegger who leads Helen on and drops her so often she finally hits bottom. Set in the roaring '20s, The Helen Morgan Story is also Maddox's story. Gogi Grant performs the vocals on signature Morgan tunes.

Comical '20s news story of how it was in this swinging time that somehow is illustrated in a 30 second span on train ride, where our heroine sheepishly makes her start towards the entertainment business. She is already "oh so excited", as she tries to subtly out stage her dancing with two other women, while Larry Maddox (Newman) is trying to sell land in Florida at a carnival. Because thats not convenient as a window of her determination to be a star and to the romance to come with Newman's character. I know its supposed to be a biography with some fictional embellishments, but come on! You can tell right away that this Maddox guy is a sleazy scumbag, but Paul Newman walks that fine line of charming and asinine beautifully. He forces himself on her and when he leaves her the next morning, Helen Morgan (Blyth) is naively heart-broken and feeling foolish. Wee wee wee....pfff! She so hungry to become a star that she keeps ignore his flaws. What unrealistic drama and "hardship" drag! Nevertheless, Newman gives Larry Maddox a suave, fast-talking, money-skeeming dick that you love to hate.

The cinematography is architecturally beautiful that plays with high/low contrasts and intentional what is in focus and what is blurred. The silhouette of the girl hanging herself was pleasantly subtle, Blyth's reaction to the death not so subtle. She over and under acts this role of Helen Morgan. The costume design, cinematography, and Paul Newman's performance is the only thing that makes up for it. But its no surprise that Newman stole the show, he's one of the greats of his era! Along with Marlon Brando, James Dean (yes, I'm including him. Punch me!), and Sidney Poitier, to name a few.