Now, Voyager
Oscar-winning 1942 film starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains. A romantic weepie, Now, Voyager is probably a perfect example of the 'woman's film' of the 40s.
![](http://static.miraheze.org/allthetropeswiki/1/12/Nowv_9340.jpg)
Bette Davis plays Charlotte Vale, a repressed Boston spinster whose tyrannical mother has driven her to the edge of nervous breakdown. Lisa, Charlotte's well-intentioned sister-in-law, feels something must be done. Enter the renowned Dr Jaquith (Rains), who takes her to his sanitarium to begin her transformation. Part of her healing involves a South American cruise, where she meets the charming Jerry...
This classic Hollywood melodrama was well-received at the time, and is seen as one of Davis' definitive films. The scene where Jerry lights two cigarettes and hands one to Charlotte became famous as a subtle way of implying an intimate relationship. The three stars reunited later for Deception.
- Abusive Parents: Both Tina and Charlotte's respective mothers fit this role. This helps Charlotte understand and help Tina.
- Butt Monkey: Charlotte's status at the beginning of the film. Her niece's teasing leads to this outburst:
Charlotte: Go on, torture me. Go on, torture me. You like making fun of me, don't you? You think it's fun making fun of me, don't you? |
- Disposable Fiance
- Driven to Madness: Charlotte is here when the film begins. Her mother might not have done this deliberately, but as Dr Jaquith tells her
Jaquith: My dear Mrs. Vale, if you had deliberately and maliciously planned to destroy your daughter's life, you couldn't have done it more completely. |
- The Glasses Gotta Go: Dr Jaquith takes Charlotte's glasses off her nose and snaps them in two.
- Grand Staircase Entrance: Played with once, played straight the second time.
- The Makeover: Charlotte is first introduced to us feet-first, walking down the stairs. The camera pans up. We see sensible shoes, fat ankles, thick tights and a dowdy dress. After her makeover, she is re-introduced to us in the same way. This time, we see fashionable high-heels, trim ankles, stockings, and a tailored suit. It is played with a little, though, as Charlotte is still shown to be mentally fragile under her sophisticated new look.
- The Mistress: Played with.
- My Beloved Smother: A particularly malign example.
- Parental Substitute: Charlotte takes on this role. It fulfills a lot of psychological needs for all parties concerned.
- Pretty in Mink: Charlotte has a mink coat.
- She Cleans Up Nicely: Charlotte after she gets rid of the frumpy look.
- The Shrink: Dr Jaquith.
- Staircase Tumble: The malevolent Mrs Vale pulls a tumble deliberately to guilt Charlotte.
- There Is Only One Bed: Jerry and Charlotte end up in a variation of this situation in Rio.
- Train Station Goodbye
- Troubled Child: Tina.