When Joan Leslie starts the new year of 1947 with her husband, Louis Hayward, shot dead in the middle of the living room, she flees their home and seeks comfort with friends. When she wishes hard enough for a second chance to live the year over again, she gets a magical reprieve. All of a sudden, it's the start of 1946 and all her friends are confused when she references events that haven't happened yet. It's a great opening to the movie, isn't it?
I really enjoyed Repeat Performance, and had it been Bette Davis and Franchot Tone (Tone was the original casting choice for the husband), it probably would have been an A-tier movie shown on afternoon television. As it was, no one remembers this movie. If the plot interest you, check it out. It has great twists and turns, and although it does have a melodramatic cloud hanging overhead, since it's a silver screen movie, we all forgive the heightened emotions and wild plot twists.
An interesting tidbit about this movie concerns the difference between the screenplay and the original novel. The protagonist was originally the husband, who wishes to relive the year to protect his adulterous wife, but the Production Code felt it wouldn't have gone over well with audiences to see Joan Leslie in that light. Also, Richard Basehart's character, William, was written in the novel as William-Mary, a transvestite. Clearly, the Code wouldn't have allowed that either. What an entrance, though, for Richard! This was his very first movie, and he doesn't seem green or insecure in front of the camera at all.
I really enjoyed Repeat Performance, and had it been Bette Davis and Franchot Tone (Tone was the original casting choice for the husband), it probably would have been an A-tier movie shown on afternoon television. As it was, no one remembers this movie. If the plot interest you, check it out. It has great twists and turns, and although it does have a melodramatic cloud hanging overhead, since it's a silver screen movie, we all forgive the heightened emotions and wild plot twists.
An interesting tidbit about this movie concerns the difference between the screenplay and the original novel. The protagonist was originally the husband, who wishes to relive the year to protect his adulterous wife, but the Production Code felt it wouldn't have gone over well with audiences to see Joan Leslie in that light. Also, Richard Basehart's character, William, was written in the novel as William-Mary, a transvestite. Clearly, the Code wouldn't have allowed that either. What an entrance, though, for Richard! This was his very first movie, and he doesn't seem green or insecure in front of the camera at all.