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What did Madge think...

posted 13 years ago by deliaw1946
7 replies | jump to latest

Madge was so bothered by Allen's constant talking about how beautiful she was, what did she think Hal's attraction was to her if not her looks also? Upon just meeting her, he could not have possibly known what a sweet girl she really was, how loving to her family and friends, he only saw what she LOOKED like, right? How is Hal's "attraction" any different than Allen's? She seemed to think that Hal someone she could "love." Pleeze! He just wanted to get her in the sack,too. I think Allen was a better choice than loser Hal.

[–] IloveKoba 13 years ago

Madge wanted to be treated as a real person, not just a pretty ornament, and Hal did just that when he spilled his guts to her, about being put in reform school by his mother, and jailed for stealing some guy's motor cycle etc. That's what made Madge go for him. Remember she said "I get so tired of just being told I'm pretty" Alan wasn't interested in her as a person. He would have married her, then proceeded to treat her like a beautiful possession. Granted, her life wasn't going to be any bed of roses with Hal, but as 'Helen'the neighbor said to Madge's mother, "let her learn things for herself'

[–] deliaw1946 13 years ago

louiebee, yes, I can see that. He did see past her beauty, but I still think it wqwas her incredible beauty that made him sit up and take notice.

[–] IloveKoba 13 years ago

Well, of course, wouldn't any red-blooded male! Kim Novak is truly beautiful in this movie, and I just love the dance scene with Madge and Hal. IMO that was much more sexy,than the graphic scenes that are shown in modern day movies.Also,it's amazing how casting directors match the stars. Betty Field was perfect (in appearance) as Madge's mother, and if you've ever seen her in the movie KING ROW she's very young, and bears a striking resemblance to Kim.

[–] blessedcelia 13 years ago

Yeah, in the play she tells him that she's proud he told her -- about his stint in jail, his mother, etc. [I can't recall if she says it in the movie, though.] I think it meant something to her that he was confiding something real, his troubled life.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] hodie 12 years ago

Hal wasn't constantly telling her that she was beautiful. And there was chemistry between Madge and Hal that she didn't have with Alan.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] AccidntlTourist 11 years ago

Early, Madge told us that she didn't feel comfortable around Allen's country club set.

Now yes, if Madge were more "practical", she would have married Allen - a very nice guy - and risked a life of regrets and unfulfilled passion; selling out that part of her self for the "good life'. She might have been very happy. Still, would that happiness have been enough to bury a haunting regret?

Madge lived by her heart - not her brain . . . just like Hal.
They were two of a kind, "for better or worse" - living in the moment; living with passion.