The Imperfect Lady

Some of the plot turns of The Imperfect Lady will have you shaking your head at the mistakes and bad judgment of the characters, but that's what makes an unforgettable story. Remember The Mayor of Casterbridge and Tess? Surprisingly, this movie wasn't based on a book. It definitely had the old-fashioned flavor of a novel, which I would definitely look forward to reading, but it was an original screenplay. Hats off to Karl Tunberg and Ladislas Fodor making their script authentic!

In the olden days, being an actress was only one step up from prostitution, so it's understandable that when Teresa Wright decides to pursue a career on the stage, her father disowns her. She's a good girl (then what is she doing in the theater?) but often consorts with people with lower morals. When she and her colleague, Virginia Field, have an accidental run-in with high-brow politician Ray Milland, he takes them for a pair of real ladies. Virginia puts on a phony accent and pretends she's well bred as well, and Ray falls for Teresa's natural sweetness.

Ray isn't the only accidental run-in the girls have. While walking home from work one evening (still in their stage makeup and looking like harlots), they're approached by a handsome smooth talker: Anthony Quinn. Teresa is outraged; she's no street walker! A nearby policeman doesn't believe her, and she finds herself accused and on the run - what's a lady to do?

There's so much more to this story, but I want to let it all unfold for you. It is very dramatic (and at times melodramatic), really fitting into the classic novel formula. Secrets, scandals, forbidden love, class distinction, and more that I won't spoil for you, are all found in The Imperfect Lady. Although Teresa doesn't put on an English accent, she tries awfully hard in this meaty role. I'd definitely recommend it, and I'm waiting for someone to write an after-the-fact novel that I can pick up!