Stolen Hours

To get past Bette Davis' original star turn in this heart-tugging tale. Although I love Susan Hayward, she could not match the passion and authenticity Davis mastered. Hayward's, in comparison, comes off as pure melodrama. Wanted to manage a 7 rating for this, but 6 seems appropriate if only for the beautiful cinematography and stunning English countryside.

A very intelligent screenplay by Jessamyn West, updating the classic 1939 "Dark Victory" (which in turn was derived from the 1934 Broadway play of the same name). Although some of the character structuring is changed (the best friend of the protagonist now becomes her younger sister, for example) and the geography moves from NYC, Long Island and Vermont to London and the English countryside, still the basic story and message remain intact - to use one's life to achieve something of value. My only complaint, and an ambivalent one to be sure, is the casting of Susan Hayward in the lead. Although this legendary actress does a terrific job with the part, she was simply too old for the role at the time. (In "D.V.", the doomed heroine was 23, in this picture Hayward was already 45 - so her untimely death seems a little less tragic, the talk of having children with her much-younger doctor-husband is less credible, etc.); overall, however, a perfectly sound film, with some truly lovely photography of the Kentish countryside and the Cornish coast.

Stolen Hours is the remake of 1939's Dark Victory starring Bette Davis. Parts of the movie are very good, because I love Susan Hayward, and her acting always improves a script. The opening setup of the plot is also very clever, but the very famous ending from the original is completely changed-and not for the better.

At the start, Susan Hayward is seen hosting a party; she's dressed to the nines and all her guests are having a marvelous time. Her sister Diane Baker arrives from the airport and joins in the fun, but the fun isn't all it appears to be. Michael Craig is a guest, but he's actually a doctor, brought by a well-meaning friend to secretly evaluate Susan Hayward's headaches and failing health. While that scene is pretty clever, it sure paints Michael out to be unlikable and deceitful. It's very hard to root for him, even when he falls in love with and marries Susan.

I recommend watching the original first, because the story is laid out a little better. If you're a Susan Hayward fan, you'll probably want to watch this one, even though it's a little sad. You probably won't go through as many Kleenexes as the original, though. The ending is pretty lousy.

Susan Hayward, at the height of her beauty, gives a stunning performance here as an American farm girl turned jet setter due to family wealth in the oil business, who is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Now living in England, the film concentrates on how she adapts to her reality and finally accepts it with courage and grace, never forgetting the humble roots from which she came. Hayward's performance here ranks second to her Oscar winning role in "I Want To Live," but it is a terrific one. She is totally believable and manages to make the viewer sympathize with her without being overdramatic and sensational. Although wealthy and a member of the social elite, she developes a character that you can identify and sympathize with no matter what you own social standing is. You just like this woman no matter what. The ending is quite beautiful and very memorable in its sincerity and grace. Comparisons to Bette Davis' also great performance in "Dark Victory" are unfair. This was a different era with more modern circumstances and relationships.

Filmed in England, the outdoor settings are exquisite, captured quite stunningly by director Daniel Petrie. The sets and costumes are rich looking and very well done even by 2021 standards. Even the opening credits designed by Maurice Binder (famous for the Bond film credits) are special and when they are combined with the theme song by Mort Lindsey and Marilyn and Alan Bergman, it lets you know that you are in for a special story and an extremely lovely, complicated performance by Hayward.

Susan Hayward was a Great Academy winning actress. Box office star of the first magnitude and a beautiful woman. This film is a remake of the Bette Davis classic Dark Victory. Harold Mirisch in his book complemented Ms. Hayward as being "A truly great star and woman" Bette Davis was none too happy that her classic "Dark Victory" was being remade. Robert Wise who directed Susan in her Oscar winning performance said in his opinion Susan was the finest actress he ever directed and was second only to Garbo! Speaking of Garbo, the Great Star considered Susan her fave actress and made an in person visit to Susan's home as Susan dying of a Brain tumor.

Ms. Hayward is splendid in this film and is given fine support by Michael Craig and Diane Baker, The fact that Susan plays a woman dying of a brain tumor is eerie.

This film has beautiful photography.

RIP Susan