There is magic attached to a door that leads to a stage. There is an unexplainable power, yet very present to all who enter the darkness of infinite possibilities. The door offers hope and inspires dreams. It shouts out loud the two most amazing words in the universe…what if? Two simple words that can change the trajectory of any aspiring actor. It can make the impossible come true. Pieces of wood and a frame can click that kaleidoscope of life into ways a person never saw coming. Yet it can also lead to major disappointments. It can slam tightly shut, never allowing a break or a second chance.
How many times do people walk by a stage door and never give it a second thought? I can honestly say…not me…not once. Walking past a stage door makes me smile. It makes me stop in my tracks and wonder who is on the other side, creating and working hard to bring the written page to life. It represents all the hundreds of individuals who come together for a brief moment to bring artistic joy into our bland world. It showcases colors, lights, sets, sounds, music, dance, and the spoken word. A stage door is like a magnet for all who desire to enter. I know that feeling well. I lived it for most of my career. I understand the mentality of anyone who wants an actor’s life. I watched it in my students’ faces for over 35 years. It is palatable and profound, lying deep within my soul.
In 1936, George F. Kaufman and Edna Ferber wrote a play called STAGE DOOR. It ran on Broadway for 169 performances at the Music Box Theatre. It brought audiences into an all-female boarding house for wannabe actresses.
In 1937, director Gregory La Cava sent his assistant into the Hollywood Studio Club to live among aspiring women who dreamed of making it in film. Rich dialogue, along with authentic background stories, was gathered. La Cava wanted to know where these women came from. What was their home life like? Were they from small towns? Why would they risk everything for their big break? Was it worth it? Was the casting couch real, causing these young female actresses to lose dignity and self-esteem? There was much eavesdropping and note-taking until the foundation for the screen version of STAGE DOOR premiered. The monologues and dialogues were real and delivered with lightning speed. The cast was a veritable who’s who, including experienced, beloved actresses alongside ingenues who would become massive stars. It was a tremendous success to express and explain what it felt like to open that STAGE DOOR.
STAGE DOOR starred Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Ann Miller, and Gail Patrick. How could this movie be anything less than fabulous with this ensemble? Many sarcastic, one-line zingers were released throughout each scene, executing perfect timing to hit the punchline. At times, it was even tough just keeping up. These women were fierce, competitive, and extremely loyal to each other, yet they would rarely admit it out loud. Auditioning, dating, making enough money to eat, and maintaining a roof over their heads were all they could talk about. It was realistic and natural. I loved it when the cat-claws came out to play. Women in any decade can be very bitchy.
STAGE DOOR introduced Hepburn’s most famous line in a brilliantly delivered speech. “The calla lilies are in bloom again…” Frankly, the complete monologue was even more incredible. Each beat or pause for intention was a masterpiece. By the same token, watching Rogers and Miller tap-dance together was spectacular. Their precise, in-sync dancing was unforgettable, especially since Miller was only 14. She lied about her age to be cast in the film. She didn’t miss a step, even at her young age, while performing next to Fred Astaire’s dance partner. It was a treat for any dancer’s soul.
STAGE DOOR also touched upon controversial aspects of an actress’s reality. The men in power controlled their world. Women didn’t have a say. And often it would boil down to how much a woman would give up concerning her body to get her moment of fame. This horrible dynamic has been going on for decades, and only recently has a light been shed on these situations. Again, the question…how much is any young actress willing to sacrifice to be seen and recognized for their talent? Perhaps this is why STAGE DOOR received four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay. Though it didn’t win, it was food for thought and made the public realize STAGE DOOR was more than another comedic film about show business.
STAGE DOOR shines with legends and superstars from days long ago. It is a beautifully choreographed film, filled with daring, brazen, ad-libbed lines. It raised the bar for what constitutes a comedy classic. It gave new life to Hepburn’s slumping career while catapulting the next generation of promising actresses. The film gave audiences a peek into what goes on behind closed doors. It is so much more than what anyone would imagine, and all it takes to begin is opening a STAGE DOOR. The majority never regret it, including myself. They were some of the best years of my life.
STAGE DOOR is available on TCM.
