MovieChat Forums > The Country Girl (1955) Discussion > Why Didn't Bernie Know. . .??? SPOILER

Why Didn't Bernie Know. . .??? SPOILER

posted 17 years ago by miriamwebster
7 replies | jump to latest

. . .why Frank Elgin had plummeted from top entertainer to alcoholic oblivion?Frank was apparently a big star at one point so death of his child in car accident would have been big news. But for some unknown reason, Bernie Dodd--who was admittedly one of Frank's biggest fans--had NEVER heard this. WHY??? Also, as a Broadway director in the close-knit NYC theater community, Bernie would have heard stories over the years as to Frank's suicide attempts, flakiness, etc. Broadway is, after all a small community and people talk. Fascinating (if somewhat dated) movie but this IS a major plot flaw.

[–] cshock 17 years ago

I think this may be more believable in 1954 than now -- people hushed up indiscretions and respected privacy more often then. Even in small communities secrets are kept. There may have been rumors but Dodd could have easily dismissed such things as rumors. With television and the cult of celebrity that occurs now -- with paparazzi and every little detail being revealed everywhere, it is a much different experience to be a "star" as it was then. Nowadays, Frank would have found his desired publicity by checking into a star-studded rehab and talking publically about this drinking problem. I do not recall a single mention of hospitals, doctors, rehabs or any other intervention for his problem. In 1954, this was a personal problem and a family problem, not a public one. I don't think the story is flawed at all, just dated.

[–] generalusgrant 17 years ago

I agree that this is a major plot flaw. There are several stumbling blocks in this movie, even thought I enjoy watching it very much. I always thought it was absurd that Bernie wouldn't have known about the manner in which Frank's son died. Also, anyone as tough as Bernie would probably have seen through Frank's rather transparant attempts to blame everything on Gracie. Still, seeing Bing, Bill Holden and Grace Kelly in one movie more than makes up for the occasional weak scene.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] misspaddylee 17 years ago

Bernie is aware the Elgins had a son that died, what he didn't know about was the guilt Frank harboured. Bernie doesn't seem surprised when Frank mentions that the trouble he had with one show was because that was when their son died.

"It's as red as The Daily Worker and just as sore."

[–] gerald-flynn 15 years ago

Also, it appears that Bernie had been through a bad marriage (or relationship) and he was rather bitter towards women in general. He would tend to believe a that a woman would keep a man down the way Frank told him Georgie had done to him. Frank was good at lying and putting on the right mask to whomever he was speaking too.

[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 14 years ago

There were a whole lot of things concerning celebrities that we didn't know back in 1954. Alcoholism especially was often swept under the carpet out of public sight.

I'm the kind of guy, when I move - watch my smoke. But I'm gonna need some good clothes though.

[–] Jason_Radley 13 years ago

There's no question that Bernie knows of Frank's drink problem but it's a moot point whether he knew that his son had died. The OP is correct that not only should Bernie have known this but if he did, he would have known the circumstances, as well, and, most likely, about the suicide attempt. After all, Frank admits that he milked both the accident and the aftermath for all they were worth. Why anyone thinks the theatre world was any less permeated with gossip back then is beyond me.