The best thing that can be said for SUSAN AND GOD is that FREDRIC MARCH gives a restrained, sensitive performance despite his lack of sobriety compared to the absurd portrayal of JOAN CRAWFORD as a woman who has suddenly found religion and thinks it's her business to rearrange everyone else's lives, whether they resist or not.
As a feather-brained do-gooder, Crawford is at her absolute worst as a performer. The whole film would make marvelous material for a Carol Burnett spoof of all the characters, especially Susan.
NIGEL BRUCE has an unlikeable role to play, improbably cast as the elder husband of--of all people--RITA HAYWORTH. Crawford's circle of friends includes BRUCE CABOT, ROSE HOBART, RUTH HUSSEY and JOHN CARROLL.
George Cukor directed, never curbing all the Crawford mannerisms that make her Susan seem like a cross between "Blondie" and Crystal Allen ("The Women"). To put it simply, her characterization doesn't ring true at all. He lets the film go on and on for an exhausting length of nearly two hours.
If you keep a sharp lookout, you may spot JOAN LESLIE, DAN DAILEY and GLORIA de HAVEN in the background of a party scene--that is, if you're still awake.
Summing up: Not Joan's shining hour, as intended, nor is it Cukor's best by any means.
As a feather-brained do-gooder, Crawford is at her absolute worst as a performer. The whole film would make marvelous material for a Carol Burnett spoof of all the characters, especially Susan.
NIGEL BRUCE has an unlikeable role to play, improbably cast as the elder husband of--of all people--RITA HAYWORTH. Crawford's circle of friends includes BRUCE CABOT, ROSE HOBART, RUTH HUSSEY and JOHN CARROLL.
George Cukor directed, never curbing all the Crawford mannerisms that make her Susan seem like a cross between "Blondie" and Crystal Allen ("The Women"). To put it simply, her characterization doesn't ring true at all. He lets the film go on and on for an exhausting length of nearly two hours.
If you keep a sharp lookout, you may spot JOAN LESLIE, DAN DAILEY and GLORIA de HAVEN in the background of a party scene--that is, if you're still awake.
Summing up: Not Joan's shining hour, as intended, nor is it Cukor's best by any means.