George Cukor: On Cukor

A wonderful tribute to the Life and Work of George Cukor. He should have received more recognition, especially from the American Film Institute. Abroad, he was recognized, but at home, he was forgotten when the major studio system collapsed and his productivity declined. He overcame hardship and triumphed in Hollywood. His film career lasted over 50 years: a testament to his longevity. A truly creative artist, devoted to his actors and devoted to the true emotionality of the scene. He will be sorely missed. A wonderful acting coach and loyal friend to the stars of yesteryear. I loved the insight provided by George himself, along with his actors. The short movie clips provide insight into his genius. Worth watching again and again, especially if you are a film student.

This documentary on George Cukor is informative without displaying much depth, given the length of Cukor's career and the 90 minute duration. (The DVD additional interviews featured as an extra feature are actually more amusing than those in the film itself).

Cukor's homosexuality is noted, as is his infamous Sunday men only parties. However the Clark Gable rumor as to why he was really fired from Gone With The Wind is absent, and we are told that Cukor sadly never had a significant other. (The GWTW firing is said here to be due to David O Selznick's megalomania and Cukor's objections to his on-set interference).

Apart from film clips and interviews, we also see Paulette Goddard's screen test for GWTW, home movies of Hepburn and Tracy, behind the scenes footage from Sylvia Scarlett, and Joan Crawford announcing his 1962 Oscar for My Fair Lady.

Some interesting points raised are how Judy Garland was partially responsible for the idea of the Born In A Trunk sequence being added to A Star Is Born, which Cukor was against, and which lengthened it to become cut.

Although we are told Cukor hated the label "women's director" which stuck to him, general opinion is that A Star Is Born is his masterpiece, and his 50 year 10 film relationship with Hepburn is a cinematic record of collaboration.