Tuesday 23 July 2013

Now, Voyager vs. Titanic: Making an entrance

We've all seen James Cameron's Titanic (1997) countless times; whether it was during it's initial release in cinemas, on VHS, or catching it on television at Christmas, we are all fully familiar with the film and it's star-crossed lovers, Jack and Rose. I rewatched it the other night after a few years of not seeing it and I happened to notice a similarity between the blockbuster and the Bette Davis classic Now, Voyager (1942). It has nothing to do with ships or the romances that take place in both films but rather a similar entrance given to both of our leading ladies, Davis and Kate Winslet.




















I don't know whether James Cameron had seen Irving Rapper's Now, Voyager, because the scene looks very much like a tribute to the famous revelation of Davis' transformation. To clarify, yes the scene I am referring to with Davis isn't her entrance in the film but it is her entrance to us after she has had her makeover. Winslet's scene on the other hand is her first appearance in the film, and you cannot deny that both certainly have a wow, movie-star factor about them that will undoubtedly be used in documentaries about their legacies in the future. Here are some screenshots comparing the two. 

Shot 1) A glimpse of our leading lady, whether it be her shoe or her glove - both are obviously expensive, beautiful things, and hint at our ladies wealth. Although Winslet shows us her hand first, her foot soon follows. Notice already similarities in colour use - white/navy/purple - clean and classic.




Shot 2) Pan of the outfit - we now get a glimpse of what else our actress is wearing. For Davis we see that she is wear a figure-hugging dress which is simple yet elegant, and very flattering. Her slim figure and the sophistication of her outfit vastly contrasts her frumpy, granny look previously. Winslet is in a very flamboyant boarding dress/jacket, which really emphasises the wealth she has, but also shows just HOW rich you had to be to sail 1st class on the Titanic. She stands out from the other thousands in the crowd. NOTE: both are wearing white gloves.




Shot 3) A large and glamorous hat - excellent for concealing the face and also teasing the audience as to who is beneath it, the shot helps to highten to mystery and anticipation of how beautiful Davis look, or in Winslet's case - who is behind the hat?



Shot 4) Partially revealed - the hat still hides half of our actresses faces but offers a glimpse of her mouth. By focusing on the mouth the camera is immediately telling us that this is an attractive woman, and the use of red/dark lipstick on both women adds a sense of sex appeal/youth.



Shot 5) The unveiling - both Davis and Winslet have lifted their heads enough so that their faces are fully revealed. Both are looking their best, with exquisite make-up used to enhance their best features. With Davis, we already knew that she was a star, this shot simply solidifies her legendary status. However, Winslet back then was not yet a star - Titanic had made her a global star. Therefore for Winslet this shot is her star entrance; as soon as the world saw her lift her head and gaze up at the enormous ship in front of her, she was forever immortalised on film and would be recognised by millions throughout the world.



Two very different films from two very different eras. Davis is getting off her ship, Winslet is about to board hers. Davis was already a huge star at the time Now, Voyager was released, Winslet was an up-and-coming starlet with solid roles behind her but no superstar status - yet. You can even go as far to compare the journey's both actresses take on this ship as a bildungsroman - an educational trip that empowers both women and ultimately helps them to detach themselves from their controlling mothers. As far as entrances go, you can argue that this scene is the entrance both actresses are most remembered for. You cannot argue with the similarities in these scenes - did Cameron want to pay hommage to this moment from Now, Voyager? Who knows. Whatever the reason or inspiration behind it - it worked. Both Bette Davis and Kate Winslet are at their most beautiful in these films, and these two scenes give them a mythical quality in tip-top Hollywood fashion.


NOTE: I am in no way comparing Davis and Winslet as actresses. This blogpost purely analyses the two scenes and their connotations. 

8 comments:

  1. Your analysis of both film entrances are so pertinent! There's something so magical about the classic Hollywood entrance, the way a director exposes a character to make him memorable on screen and forever stuck in the viewer's memory. Baz Luhrman played with that as he introduced Leo as Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby" and it was a grand moment indeed! The interesting aspect of both characters is that the ship and the journey represents the shift from lack of confidence/repression to empowerment, confidence, independence and love. you know that once they're off the ship, they're a whole different person with another attitude! I lent Now Voyager to a friend who's a Bette Davis fan and he LOVED it!!!! So happy! Can't wait to see what's coming up next from you dear! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good spot, Steph! Totally agree with you that both women experience a bildungsroman - an educational journey which enables these women to grow in confidence, etc. Interesting that Luhrman used similar direction to introduce DiCaprio as Gatsby. It is a very typical, introduce a star in Hollywood style technique. But what caught my eye was the similarity of angles, colours, and context with the characters in these two films. Glad your friend enjoyed the film. It's definitely one of my favourites.

      Delete
  2. This is your first post that I read- and I have to say it is fantastic! I absolutely love your analysis of the classic "star entrance." These two great examples remind me of another classic film- Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train." If you've never seen it, Hitch introduces the characters by first showing their shoes, gradually panning up to their suits and finally showing their faces. In "Strangers" Hitch also uses music to introduce elements of the characters to the audience, an aspect you didn't touch on, but no matter- the criticism is most excellent! After that excellent analysis, I can't wait for more. I love when you're able to connect past and present.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore Strangers on a Train! Superb film from Hitchcock (as ever!). Yes you're right it was used by many directors to great effect. I suppose there is music used in Titanic - and it finishes with a climax of cymbals as soon as Winslet's face is on full show - so they really build up to her entrance musically too. Thank you so much for your kind words. It's nice to know that people actually read my blog instead of it just coming up on google image search. Take care, and visit again soon! Best, Claudia

      Delete
  3. great analysis, man. i am sure JC was inspired by that movie. all high level creative work is based on tons of research and inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much! It would be appear so!

      Delete
  4. Claud! I was looking for my comment on this! But maybe it never uploaded a couple months ago. Anyhow, yes, of course, James Cameron like many Hollywood figures is inspired by old classics. Most people not in the film business probably wonder how could a connection be made? But think...if you love film (as you do) and make it a career, imagine how many films you must have seen before even getting into it as a career? Maybe Cameron saw at least 400 classic films when he was younger and it left a indelible mark upon his mind. Perhaps a conscious effort to emulate a great performance by Bette Davis. I would bet on it. And I bet Kate Winslet also knew, maybe not at the time, but she probably saw Now, Voyager at some point.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just saw Now, Voyager and immediately thought of Titanic at a different moment - the tryst in the car on the freight deck. But your comparison of their entrances is also very apropos. I never realized how much Kate Winslet resembles Bette Davis, but she really does. You should look at the biography of Evelyn Nesbit. I really think she was the inspiration for the character of Rose.

    ReplyDelete