Word: lucasta
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...continues to be. And his central character shares many of the same cultural attitudes of Miss Billie ("Drop dead") Dawn. Unfortunately, however, this new play lacks the swift elip of humor of "Born Yesterday," and the story it tells is as sentimental and implausible as that of "Anna Lucasta...
...Anna Lucasta (Security Pictures; Columbia) suffers from a piece of inspired miscasting. Originally written by Philip Yordan as the story of a Pennsylvania Polish family, the play became a resounding Broadway hit five years ago after it had been adapted for an all-Negro cast by Producer Harry Wagstaff Gribble. The part of Anna, a generous, warmhearted girl gone wrong, was played by Hilda Simms, a talented actress with a superbly natural stage presence. The movie, not illogically, was based on the first script, with Yordan as producer. But Anna's earthy role was turned over to Paulette Goddard...
Except for a wobbly beam or two-notably some unlikely melodramatics at the end-House is a well-constructed movie. Into its making went an intelligent screen play by Playwright Philip (Anna Lucasta) Yordan; some distinguished lighting effects and camera work by Milton Krasner; and Director Joseph (A Letter to Three Wives) Mankiewicz's talent for handling atmosphere and sets as effective projections of character. Meatiest character, of course, is arrogant old Monetti, a role which Robinson plays (Italian accent, organ-grinder mustache and all) with bravura and obvious relish...
Arriving with all the polish accumulated during its long Manhattan run, "Anna Lucasta" combines enough punch and discriminate pacing to present a mundane theme in an engrossing manner. With an all-Negro cast that has added the experience of a long run to its initial first-night spark, this comedy-drama successfully handles the story of a prostitute who for the first time is loved for what she is, not for what she represents; and does this by neither patronizing the subject nor burlesquing it. The story is realistic without being objectionable, and includes just enough finesse to slip...
Reversing the usual formula and coming to Boston after a winnowing road trip, "Anna Lucasta" is a relief from the glut of ubiquitous tryouts that usually dominate the Boylston boards. After long acquaintance, the cast has mastered its vehicle sufficiently to give a performance that is fluid throughout, practiced, but not off-hand. The difficult problem of presenting a prostitute with sympathy rather than derision is artistically accomplished and the mother's benevolent attitude toward her wayward daughter is made understandable, not ridiculous. The clash of wills between the unrelenting, religious father and his family is demonstrated so convincingly...