Anne Francis in ROUTE 66
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Anne Francis
jeffyoung1 — 16 years ago(May 28, 2009 10:10 PM)
I'm somewhat embarassed at this late date to divine the genuine drama acting ability of Anne Francis when I watched her in a 1961 episode of ROUTE 66, titled, "A Month of Sundays".
Anne Francis starred as a beautiful New York Broadway young actress, Arlene Sims, who just achieved stardom only at the moment of her dream come true to learn she has a terminal illness. She returns home to Butte, Montana to die, not telling anyone. Tod accidentally learns her secret and they have a heartfelt conversation about it. But out of honor, Tod keeps her medical situation confidential. Buz falls in love with Arlene. Arlene decides to live it up in her last weeks. Buz and Arlene start dating. When Tod learns that Buz intends to propose marriage to Arlene, he confronts Arlene.
Now what happens is totally opposite than what we would all expect.
Running against cliche, the plot is a clever dramatic reverse.
Arlene tells Tod that she must decline Buz's marriage offer because of her limited time left. Tod convinces Arlene to live life to the fullest, even if only minutes are left; that is what Tod's dying father taught him. Don't be fatalistic, go with life to its very end. (Typical drama stereotype would have Arlene selfishly accepting marriage with outraged Tod trying to persuade her that is wrong)
At the evening's dance hall, Arlene accepts Buz's ring and let's him place it on her finger. Suddenly she faints. Buz carries Arlene outside to a grassy area. It is nighttime. Tod had summoned the ambulance and also brought the local parish priest, the only other person that Arlene had confided her terminal condition. The ambulance crew stands by. The situation is hopeless. Arlene is going through her last moments of life as the priest recites final prayers over her. Arlene reaches her hand out to Buz's hand. She smiles and intones that she had truly been aliv1354e. But before her hand can touch Buz's hand, it drops to the grass. She is dead. Buz clasps his face in his hands, I think the only time on the series where he cries.
I surprised even myself. I had tears in my eyes. I didn't expect this kind of emotion. This is a 1961, black and white, ancient television series drama and here, 48 years later it moved me. What I should say is that Anne Francis' dramatization moved me. She really is good. -
LaPfieffer92 — 12 years ago(October 23, 2013 03:02 PM)
So what? if something is 50, 60, 70 years old, does that somehow mean anything? what matters is how it made you feel. 50 years is hardly "ancient". its like that one guy said on TCM channel, "there are no old movies, just great movies you haven't seen yet". that hold true, just because something is older doesn't make it suddenly invalid. in fact, more things made in the past blow away the crap you see today.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies! -
jm31315 — 11 years ago(August 29, 2014 04:43 PM)
Ms. Francis had a distinguished career but this episode of "Route 66" was an unusual one. It's a unique combination of actors doing an excellent job (especially Mr. Maharis and Ms. Francis) and script (I am guessing Sterling Silliphant). The photography (Jack Marta, ASC who did most of the shows) of a little-seen part of the country is terrific. Not to be missed; in the U.S. the series is shown on ME-TV, and I believe it's available in a boxed set.