Marjorie Morningstar

Marjorie Morningstar
Beachwold Pictures / Warner Bros., 1958, Color, 123 minutes, ***
Released April, 1958

Natalie Wood turns in a captivating performance as Herman Wouk's heroine in this faithful adaptation of his novel. An aspiring actress with stars in her eyes discovers only rejection and heartbreak along the road to fame and fortune. Co-stars Gene Kelly, Claire Trevor and Martin Balsam.

A very good film. Not really a musical, but there is some singing and dancing in it. My only problem with this film is that I think Gene Kelly gets carried away with the self-pity, and it puts a bit of a damper on the whole production. But, overall the movie is fun and enjoyable with really great performances by Natalie Wood, Claire Trevor, Everett Sloane and Ed Wynn.

Produced by: Milton Sperling
Directed by: Irving Rapper
Assistant Director: Don Page
Screen Play by: Everett Freeman
Based upon the novel Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk
Song: "A Very Precious Love" music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music Composed by: Max Steiner
Vocal Arrangements: Lyn Murray
Orchestrations by: Murray Cutter, Gus Levene
Musical Supervision by: Ray Heindorf
Dances and Musical Numbers Staged by: Jack Baker
Art Director: Malcolm Bert
Set Decorator: Ralph Hurst
Costume Consultant: Howard Shoup
Makeup Supervisor: Gordon Bau
Sound by: Stanley Jones
Director of Photography: Harry Stradling
Film Editor: Folmar Blangsted
Interior scenes photographed at Schroon Manor and Camp Cayuga Boys and Girls Camp, Schroon Lake, New York

Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("A Very Precious Love")

Cast: Gene Kelly [Noel Airman], Natalie Wood [Marjorie Morgenstern], Claire Trevor [Rose Morgenstern], Everett Sloane [Arnold Morgenstern], Martin Milner [Wally], Ed Wynn [Uncle Samson], Carolyn Jones [Marsha Zelenko], George Tobias [Greech], Martin Balsam [Dr. David Harris], Jesse White [Lou Michaelson], Edd Byrnes [Sandy Lamm], Paul Picerni [Phillip Berman], Alan Reed [Puddles Podell], Ruta Lee [Imogene], Eddie Foster [Carlos], Patricia Denise [Karen], Howard Best [Seth], Lester Dorr [Elevator Operator], Carl Sklover [Leon Lamm], Jean Vachon [Mary Lamm], Elizabeth Harrower [Miss Kimble], Guy Raymond [Mr. Klabber], Leslie Bradley [Blair], Maida Severn [Tonia Zelenko], Fay Nuell [Helen Harris], Fred Rapport [Nate], Harry Seymour [Frank], Shelley Fabares [Seth's Girl Friend], Walter Clinton [Mr. Zelenko], Pierre Watkin [Civil Official], Reginald Sheffield [Clerk], Sandy Livingston [Betsy], Peter Brown [Alec], Gail Ganley [Wally's Girl Friend], Russell Ash [Harry Morgenstern], Rad Fulton [Romeo]

Musical Program: [0:08] Jewish Hymn; [0:17] O Tamarack (sung by Girls at Camp Tamarack); [0:19] Southwind Blues (?) from Princess Jones (danced by Karen and Bob, then danced by Gene Kelly and Karen); [0:24] A Very Precious Love (sung by Gene Kelly at the piano [onscreen], this melody is also used as a theme in the background score); [0:47] Fiesta: Rock Cucaracha (danced by Natalie Wood and Ensemble); [0:58] A Very Precious Love (sung by guests at beach party); [1:59] A Very Precious Love (sung by Gene Kelly at the piano [onscreen])