While many may remember the film Now, Voyager mostly for the famous cigarette sharing scenes between Bette Davis and Paul Henreid, it was also an early enlightened look at mental illness and its causes.
This 1942 classic also touched on the theme of female independence at a time when women in America were experiencing newfound freedom by entering the workforce that had been depleted by men going off to fight in World War II.
Bette Davis Goes from Frumpy to Fabulous
Bette Davis stars as frumpy spinster Charlotte Vale, the daughter of a wealthy Boston family. She lives under the thumb of her domineering mother who has berated Charlotte at every turn and thwarted her attempts at love through guilt in order to keep her in line as a faithful caregiver.
Charlotte is introduced to psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith portrayed elegantly by Claude Rains. He recognizes the depression and self loathing she is suffering from living with her mother and convinces them both that she would benefit from a stay at his sanitarium.
Under his care, she gets a second chance at owning her life. She becomes brave enough to embark on a South American cruise. Dr. Jaquith encourages her by quoting from the Walt Whitman poem, The Untold Want:
The untold want by life and land ne'er granted,
Now, Voyager sail thou forth to seek and find.
On the cruise, she emerges as a social butterfly and meets married businessman Jerry Durrance portrayed by the debonair Paul Henreid. Like Charlotte's mother, Jerry's wife didn't want their daughter Tina (portrayed by Janis Wilson). Through her mother, Tina is being instilled with the guilt Charlotte lived with all her life. While their love affair is limited due to his marriage, Jerry, Charlotte, and Tina still manage to create a lasting bond.
Charlotte returns home better able to cope with her mother. She still struggles but quietly stands her ground earning the respect and admiration of friends and family shocked at her transformation.
A Message Before its Time
Mental illness was of course discussed in the 1940s, but in films it was usually either ignored or the butt of a joke. Fans of more modern films exploring this such as Girl, Interrupted will appreciate the sophistication and sensitivity by which the subject was dealt with at the time.
The movie combines classic chick flick elements of a sad love story and triumph over the odds. Who can forget the last line of the film when Charlotte says to Jerry, "Don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars."
Some may find this to be typical melodramatic girl-movie fare, but they would be missing the larger message. This look into the reasons and treatment of mental illness was truly before its time. Because of this along with outstanding performances and the peek into first-wave feminism, Now, Voyager is a must-see for the classic film buff.
- Now, Voyager
- Starring Bette Davis
- Screenplay written by Casey Robinson
- Based on novel written by Olive Higgins Prouty
- Directed by Irving Rapper
- Running Time: 117 minutes
Patricia Deneen - Patricia Deneen works at home doing medical transcription and web content writing. She was a professional massage therapist for 10 years ...
