Happy Birthday, Dahling!

Tallulah Bankhead was born on this day in 1902 in Huntsville, Alabama.  Whereas she maintained her southern accent throughout her life, any trappings of the southern belle were left behind when, at the age of 16, she moved to New York City to begin her life in the theater.   The hard-drinking, chain-smoking and drug-using bisexual with a wonderful raspy voice found great success on the stage, less so on film.  I just read a review of her performance in Faithless (1932) wherein the author points to a lack of subtle expression in her face as a reason she was not successful in movies.  A good point.  Of course, there was nothing really subtle about Ms. Bankhead. 

                    Tallulah Bankhead and Bob in Faithless (1932)

Tallulah --- great name, isn't it! --- was the star of Faithless, Bob's role was almost a supporting performance.  He was in the hospital for three weeks during the scheduled filming of the move with a severe attack of appendicitis (keep in mind that penicillin was not widely available until the 1940s), so his part may have been cut back.  Whatever, he is in it enough to make you understand why Tallulah would "turn to the streets" to get medicine for her deathly ill husband.  And Bob certainly had the experience to portray a man confined to a bed.  All in all, a decent enough movie, worth watching if you don't expect a masterpiece.  Hey, it's pre-code and Bob is in it.  What more could one ask ...