Dark Victory (1976)

1972's "The Victim" began "Bewitched" star Elizabeth Montgomery's reign as one of the queens of TV movies from the '70s until her death in the mid-'90s. She was offered roles in numerous series, but turned them down, instead seeking out parts that could (in her words) "be done in any medium." Meaning stagy dramas, like this one...

First mounted in 1934 as a stage play, "Dark Victory" has become synonymous with Bette Davis, who starred in the quintessential tearjerker film in 1939. The story concerns a woman with a brain tumor who falls in love with her doctor before she dies. In the 1950s, it was remade at least six times for television (first in 1951 on Elizabeth Montgomery's father's series, "Robert Montgomery Presents"), it was adapted as a radio play, and remade again in 1963 as "Stolen Hours."

Initially Montgomery had some trepidation about taking the role. "I'm not one for remakes, but this one held up when I re-read it. It's nice to do a love story for a change," she remarked. One factor that made her want to pursue a tragic love story instead of more then-popular made for TV horror was a perplexing piece of mail she received after "The Legend of Lizzie Borden" aired. "One guy wrote a critique that went on for three pages. It was very articulate. I put it down and looked at the envelope and it was from a state institution. I'm wondering what he was in for. He didn't tell me."

In a twist of irony, Bette Davis and Elizabeth Montgomery were real-life friends -- Davis once jokingly referred to Montgomery as "my illegitimate daughter." When Elizabeth decided to take the role in the film, she tried to call Bette to tell her about the part. "You could reach Betty Ford quicker," Montgomery quipped.

Although the basic plot is the same, the two films are very different. "We strove very judiciously to eliminate all the soap opera qualities and the corn," Montgomery said. "It's essentially a poignant and very possible story about an every-day situation," Montgomery continued. "It's a marvelous love story and though it's sad it's not totally sad."

Every-day situation indeed. Ironically, Davis and Montgomery both died of cancer -- and "Stolen Hours" star Susan Hayward died from brain cancer. Hope that's a heads-up to anyone considering taking a role in the play. Now I should note that the above interview excerpt was stated at the time of the film's release. By 2011 standards, the 1976 movie is WILDLY corny and soap opera-ish. It's also extraordinarily campy, and the depiction of doctors and hospitals in general is probably offensive to everyone in the medical profession (wasn't until "E/R" came along in the '90s that TV writers put any real research into medical jargon and procedures). Still, it's very likable and memorable, and the actors are all very good... at least in the moments when the film's not treading heavily in camp territory.

Costarring Anthony Hopkins as Montgomery's doctor/love interest, Michelle Lee as her best friend and Vic Tayback and Michael Lerner as coworkers, the movie performed admirably on TV, though critical reaction was mixed. It was subsequently released theatrically internationally. Unfortunately, probably due to its extended length, I don't think it was released on video anywhere in the world and it's not out on DVD.

A 138 minute print of the movie has been broadcast on HBO and other premium networks in recent years, which is slightly shorter than the original 150 minute broadcast version. This is the version which is most widely circulating today. It has popped up online in the past, and copies can sometimes be found for sale on ioffer.