Plot
Fanny Trellis, played by Bette Davis is a spoiled, self-absorbed young woman in pre First World War, small town America, interested only in hearing about how beautiful she is. In order to save her wayward brother from a foolish mistake, she marries the rich but boring Job Skeffington, played by Claude Rains. As the years go by the couple grow apart and they eventually divorce. Fanny even gives custody to Job of their daughter in order to pursue her own selfish life.Her world changes dramatically when her beauty is ravaged by illness. She finally begins to realise how superficial her old life was and it is her ex husband, Job, returning from a Nazi concentration camp who helps her to see what true love is.
Summary
This is a very enjoyable movie. It was well written with many witty lines. The characterisation is good also and the main characters are very believable. The film delivers a message or even a moral, about the transiency of physical beauty, and the beautiful background music by Franz Waxman puts the seal on a first class film.Main Cast
Bette Davis ... Frances Beatrice SkeffingtonClaude Rains ... Job Skeffington
Walter Abel ... George Trellis
Richard Waring ... Trippy Trellis, Fanny's brother
Marjorie Riordan ... Fanny Rachel Trellis, (Fanny Junior)
Robert Shayne ... MacMahon
John Alexander ... Jim Conderley
Jerome Cowan ... Edward Morrison
Peter Whitney ... Chester Forbish
Bill Kennedy ... Bill Thatcher
Johnny Mitchell ... Johnny Mitchell (Born Douglas N. Lamy, the actor changed his name to that of the character he played)
George Coulouris ... Doctor Byles
Dorothy Peterson ... Manby
Bette Davis(1908-1989) One of the finest actresses ever to grace the screen, Bette Davis was nominated on 10 occasions for the Best Actress Oscar and won it twice in 1935 and 1938. She gives a marvellous, utterly believable performance as the spoilt Fanny Skeffington.
Claude Rains (1989-1967) A magnificent actor, Rains almost steals the show from Bette Davis. His serious demeanour is the ideal foil to her flamboyance. His long career spanned five decades and included classic films such as 'The Invisible Man' in 1933 and 'Casablanca' in 1942.
Walter Abel (1898-1987) was a brilliant character actor who had one of the longest Broadway careers on record, appearing there from 1919 to 1975. He began a prolific movie career in the mid 1930's and then smoothly made the transition to television.
Richard Waring (1910-1993) was a British-born American actor who had a successful career, appearing in both Hollywood movies and in many Broadway plays.
Credits
Director ... Vincent ShermanProducer ... Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Jack L. Warner
Screenplay ... Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein
From the Novel ... "Mr. Skeffington" by Elizabeth von Arnim
Music ... Franz Waxman
Cinematography ... Ernest Haller
Distribution Company ... Warner Brothers
Format ... B & W
Release date ... May 25, 1944
Running time ... 145 minutes
Academy Awards
No Wins:Two Unsuccessful Nominations:ass
Best Actress ... Bette Davis
Best Supporting Actor ... Claude Rains