Picked up Stage Fright in the library a few weeks ago, which got me going on Michael Wilding, who, in addition to being Elizabeth Taylor’s second husband, was a reasonably successful actor, more in England than in Hollywood.
So I checked Netflix to see what else they had, and ended up with Torch Song (1953) in my DVD player last night. Oh good lord. Joan Crawford, trying to show her versatility, plays a Broadway musical star – Michael Wilding plays her pianist, who, though blind, is the only one who can see beyond her hateful facade to the passionate woman within. Crawford ain’t much of a dancer, but damn, the stems on that tomato – and the woman who dubbed her singing voice did a fine job.
All of which is all okay, but then you get to the penultimate scene, the dress rehearsal of the big musical number – “Two-Faced Woman” – which Joan performs, for absolutely no reason explained or unexplained, in blackface.
Wow.
I’m sure Eve has seen it (I was wishing she was there to provide running commentary) – but has anyone else?