I had the privilege of seeing Polly Bergen on stage towards the end of her life in two Broadway musicals, revivals of "Follies" and "Cabaret", belting out "I'm Still Here" and "What Would You Do?" as if she was playing an older version of Helen Morgan, having survived all of the traumas in her early life. Morgan wasn't as lucky as Ms. Bergen, but the performance. Polly gives in this film shows her magnetism on stage and the insecurities and shyness that led her to alcoholism in spite of fame on Broadway and in nightclubs.
This Playhouse 90 drama with songs was made the same year as Warner Brothers did a movie with Ann Blyth in the part. As good as Blyth was, she lacked the intensity that Bergen slowly built up in the role as Morgan hits rock bottom in tragic ways. two other standout performances are by Sylvia Sidney as Bergen's loyal mother (also narrating the story) and Benay Venuta as the outrageous Texas Guinan.
Ironically, when Morgan is at her worst as far as alcohol dependency, Bergen highly resembles Judy Garland as she would look several years later around the time of "I Could Go on Singing". In real life, Bergen was married to Freddie fields, at one time Garland's manager. Further evidence of this resemblance has Bergen highly resembling Judy Davis's version of Garland in her emmy-winning TV movie performance. When Bergen gets to sing Morgan's standards, particularly "Bill" and "Why Was I Born?", Ice becomes truly haunting. An unremarkable beginning to the teleplay reaches dramatic heights and will have you reaching for the Kleenex.
This Playhouse 90 drama with songs was made the same year as Warner Brothers did a movie with Ann Blyth in the part. As good as Blyth was, she lacked the intensity that Bergen slowly built up in the role as Morgan hits rock bottom in tragic ways. two other standout performances are by Sylvia Sidney as Bergen's loyal mother (also narrating the story) and Benay Venuta as the outrageous Texas Guinan.
Ironically, when Morgan is at her worst as far as alcohol dependency, Bergen highly resembles Judy Garland as she would look several years later around the time of "I Could Go on Singing". In real life, Bergen was married to Freddie fields, at one time Garland's manager. Further evidence of this resemblance has Bergen highly resembling Judy Davis's version of Garland in her emmy-winning TV movie performance. When Bergen gets to sing Morgan's standards, particularly "Bill" and "Why Was I Born?", Ice becomes truly haunting. An unremarkable beginning to the teleplay reaches dramatic heights and will have you reaching for the Kleenex.