Very good documentary on the struggle film star MaryAstor had after her husband got hold of her notorious diaries, and the two fought for custody of their daughter, Marylyn.
The daughter in question, Marylyn Roh, talks about her mother, as do Leonard Maltin, Molly Haskell, and others.
What emerges is the story of a strong woman under tremendous pressure, making a very big film at the same time she is supposed to appear at a trial to get custody of her daughter, and her willingness to give up her career if it meant, she could have her daughter back with her.
At one point, she goes to a department store and asks if she were looking for a job, would they hire her? They said they would be thrilled to hire her and would make them their European buyer. She then knew that she could continue the fight and have a way to take care of her child.
Asked by the top studio executives to settle the case, as they were sick of all the Hollywood scandals, she said no, it would have to play out, as she was in the fight for her child.
The beginning of Astor's life was very sad. She was a big star as a teenager, kept a virtual prisoner by her parents, and paid a very tiny allowance while they built a lavish home and lived a huge lifestyle. Her diary was the only outlet she had for her feelings.
I especially liked the description of the time, the 1930s, the novelty of a court case as compared to today, and how Mary's diaries and case knocked the Olympics off the front page of the newspapers.
As Haskell explained, people were not used to movie stars speaking as themselves. Everything they said in public was scripted. This made the diaries and the trial all the more interesting to the public.
Highly recommended. A fascinating woman, and if you aren't familiar with her films, you will want to become familiar after you see this documentary.
