 |
| Jane Wyman is the governess who wears “The Blue Veil” from 1951. |
The Blue Veil is a most easy
melodrama, a tearjerker story of a life-long governess, of what was as soon as referred to as
a “lady’s image.” The 1951 movie was launched by means of RKO, a reasonable hit in its
day with largely constructive evaluations, however as we speak is generally forgotten. That is
as a result of there’s nary a superb copy available and isn’t proven. Whether or not it’s
copyright or property points—it’s really a Norman Krasna and Jerry Wald
manufacturing—The Blue Veil deserves to
be restored.
 |
| Jane Wyman as Louise Mason wears the normal governess/nanny “Blue Veil.” With Cyril Cusack because the toy retailer proprietor who admires “LouLou.” |
As The Blue Veil takes place over a number of many years and nonetheless clocks in
at the usual one hour and 45 minutes, among the occasions and
particularly reactions appear a bit perfunctory. What helps is the forged is populated with outdated
professionals, who convey probably the most with every scene. But, it’s Jane Wyman’s heat and
energy that maintain this episodic tearjerker collectively, and nabbed Wyman a Greatest
Actress Academy Award nomination.
 |
| Jane Wyman is a younger widow who simply finds out her new child has died, in 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” Jane was 34 when this was filmed. |
There may be the period’s “get
on with it” perspective towards trauma and life modifications evident in The Blue Veil. For instance, throughout the first
5 minutes, Jane Wyman’s Louise Mason goes from a struggle widow with a child, to
out of the blue dropping her baby, with a health care provider who is available in and offers the world’s most
generic non-explanation, capped with, “…we did all we might for it.” Later, a sensible employment
woman who thinks that Louise must be a nanny ASAP to ease her ache! Likewise, when
Louise is eased out from her duties after the widower boss remarries, his new
bride asks what number of weeks it would
take the nanny to show her the whole lot about caring for the child. No time for
remedy again then!
 |
| Jane Wyman as nanny Louise Mason, along with her first cost. Charles Laughton is her boss and Vivian Vance is his new bride. “The Blue Veil” from 1951. |
Whereas the “mom
love” storyline could be very sentimental, Jane Wyman’s performing is heat, however not
sticky candy. That is why I get pleasure from Jane in film soaps. Some film followers consider
Wyman as boring, however I discover her performing naturalistic. Particularly when shed of
glamour, Jane Wyman appeals with these large doe eyes and smooth however agency voice.
She suggests deep feeling with out the diva posturing so typical of the period. I
discover Wyman’s performing extra in step with Barbara Stanwyck and Olivia de
Havilland than say, Crawford or Davis.
The Blue Veil begins after WWI and ends after WWII, so
Jane’s Louise goes by means of a collection of jobs, with the governess/nanny/nurse in
the “blue veil” uniform connecting deeply with a number of households.
Louise’s first cost
is Freddie, whose mom died giving delivery, virtually the reverse of her personal state of affairs.
The widower is Charles Laughton as Frederick, most interesting because the lonely man,
in a uncommon regular function. Laughton and Wyman have a pleasant rapport, and the businessman
proposes to Louise. She properly turns him down, feeling two lonely folks does
not make for a cheerful marriage. So secretary Vivian Vance quickly accepts his
proposal as a substitute, and lives the dream of a affluent businessman’s spouse. An
instance of how even-handedly The Blue
Veil is advised, Vance’s character is pragmatic however not a villain. Whereas Wyman’s
Louise is saddened by her departure, she made the decision, and accepts the
state of affairs gracefully.
 |
| I like overlap “dissolves”from basic movies. Right here, Jane Wyman’s nurse says goodbye to her first baby, then proven leaving to discover a new job, from “The Blue Veil.” |
If Wyman’s Louise was a younger struggle widow simply after WWI, that
would put “LouLou” in her early ’50s on the post-war finish of this movie. As
Louise begins caring for her final baby, every subsequent scene makes her appears
older. By the finale, Wyman appears like Margo in Misplaced Horizon, after she escaped Shangri-La!
 |
| On the finale of “The Blue Veil,” Jane Wyman’s nanny is suppose to be in her early ’50s, however appears like Helen Hayes in “Airport!” |
Subsequent, “LouLou” cares
for 2 boys, the youthful particularly connected, the sons of a rich couple, with
Agnes Moorehead in sympathetic mode as Fleur Palfrey. Moorehead acted 5
instances reverse Wyman: Johnny Belinda;
The Blue Veil; Magnificent Obsession; All
That Heaven Permits; and Pollyanna.
 |
| Agnes Moorehead is Jane Wyman’s second employer in 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” |
Right here, she meets
Richard Carlson because the boys’ tutor, Jerry. A heat charmer and dreamer, he desires
greater than this momentary gig. He will get a educating job supply in Syria—of a
century in the past! He desires Louise to run off with him and marry. That Jerry is weak
of character exhibits when he is simply discouraged by Moorehead, then Wyman
herself, once they each make legitimate factors of his intentions. On the prepare, he
initiatives his doubts on Louise, who then calls it off and goes again to her job.
 |
| I like this heat romantic scene between Jane Wyman & Richard Carlson in 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” |
A while elapses when Louise now takes care of the daughter
of Annie Rawlins, an growing older musical stage star. Her daughter Stephanie, performed
by 12 yr outdated Natalie Wooden, adores Louise. As is often the case, the kid
turns into connected to doting nanny LouLou. Annie is good-hearted however inconsiderate
and sometimes a no-show at her daughter’s massive life moments. When Stephanie calls
Louise her mom at her affirmation, the nanny lets her mom know that it’s
greatest to go away. This units up a serious tearjerker scene, when Louise tells
Stephanie she has to go. Wyman and Blondell had been outdated professionals by this level and
play with their typical naturalism. Wooden is exceptional because the disillusioned
daughter and performs her massive scene, begging Louise keep, fairly movingly.
 |
| Tearjerker scene from “The Blue Veil,” when Jane Wyman’s governess realizes it is time to transfer on. Younger Natalie Wooden as her cost & Joan Blondell because the mom. |
 |
| Natalie Wooden was 12 when she made “The Blue Veil.” She is sort of good because the lady who turns into connected to Wyman’s nanny. |
I used to be a bit stunned that Blondell received a supporting actress
Oscar nomination for The Blue Veil.
Her function is transient as the great natured broad, and she or he is not doing something new.
But, she received no nods for A Tree Grows in
Brooklyn or Nightmare Alley, in
roles that had been greater and juicier. However that is Hollywood, the place some very
unusual Oscar nominations and wins had been awarded within the ‘50s. Gloria Grahame in The Dangerous and the Stunning and Jan
Sterling and Claire Trevor for The Excessive
and the Mighty come to thoughts.
 |
| Dan O’Herlihy & Audrey Totter play a younger couple who go to England throughout WWII, leaving their child boy with Jane Wyman’s reliable nanny, in “The Blue Veil.” |
Louise’s final stint as nanny comes for Helen and Hugh
Williams, performed by Audrey Totter and Dan O’Herlihy. They’ve a child boy,
Tony, and LouLou suits proper in. Then British hubby Hugh is named off to struggle.
When he’s reported lacking, Lulu holds down the fort whereas Helen goes off to
discover him. He’s wounded and later dies, and she or he stays on for the struggle’s
period. After the struggle, Helen stays on, for very obscure causes. By this time,
Lulu is caring for Tony free of charge, even working to assist him! Whereas Lulu has
taken care to not develop into too connected to her costs prior to now, this time she
does. When Helen lastly returns, the boy is a grade-schooler taking part in baseball.
Lulu makes an attempt to run off with Tony, however is discovered. Totter’s Helen now has
bulldog husband Henry Morgan in tow, who desires to press costs. However the
district legal professional shames them for his or her lack of communication, appreciation, or
cost. Louise is heartbroken once they go away with Tony.
 |
| Have a hanky useful when Audrey Totter’s Helen comes again almost a decade later for her son, within the care of Jane Wyman’s nanny, from 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” |
By this time, Louise is wanting like and performing like a
latter day Madame X, however having had none
of her enjoyable! Alongside the best way, Louise turns down a 3rd supply of marriage, from
irascible however good man Frank (Cyril Cusack), who owns a toy retailer that she
frequents for her costs. Sadly, he dies of a coronary heart assault when the
police come in search of Louise.
 |
| Jane Wyman’s nanny is now an elementary college janitor in 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” |
Louise winds up as a janitor at an elementary college, to be
close to youngsters. In the present day, she’d in all probability be pegged as a predator, however that is
one other dialogue! Going residence in the future, she almost steps out in entrance of a automotive,
however is saved. At a watch physician for a checkup, he seems to be her second cost,
Robbie Palfrey, who was as soon as afraid of storms. Unbeknownst to Lulu, he
arranges a dinner for her and her earlier kiddos. With their spouses, they
get pleasure from a beautiful reunion, with Robbie saying he desires Lulu to take care of his personal
youngsters. At this level, you should have used up a field of tissues!
 |
| Jane Wyman’s “LouLou” is requested to be nanny to her one-time cost’s youngsters in the finale of 1951’s “The Blue Veil.” |
One in every of Jane Wyman’s smaller movies, just like the likewise
underrated So Huge, The Blue Veil is a straight up cleaning soap, however
performed with real feeling. Director Curtis Bernhardt, who made his identify at
WB, did properly with actors and retains this film shifting alongside easily. The Blue Veil feels extra like a ‘40s
film within the more and more trendy ‘50s movie world, however when you’re within the temper for
cinema struggling with an uplifting finale, Wyman and a stellar forged are value
watching.
Right here’s my have a look at one in every of Jane Wyman’s greatest latter day roles,
in Douglas Sirk’s All That Heaven Permits,
with Rock Hudson: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2020/10/all-that-heaven-allows-1955.html
 |
| A stellar forged is a bonus in 1951’s “The Blue Veil,” however Jane Wyman’s efficiency as Louise Mason, a nanny for over three many years, holds this movie collectively. |
