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MARY ANNE DALTON AND THE SADDLE BUM

She was his life. Age could not steal her away or wither her beauty.

By BRAD HAYNES

Let’s face it. Women no longer have to lose their glamour with their first wrinkle. The fountain of youth can be found at age 60. It has now become a cliché that “Today’s sixty is yesterday’s forty.” Meryl Streep, at 59, can sing, dance, and act as if she was in her thirties in the musical, Mamma Mia,” And take a fresh look at the aging super star, Madonna. As far as beauty is concerned, the mantra for today’s upbeat older woman could easily be: Use it or lose it.

In the upcoming film and love story, The Saddle Bum, the strongest role would appear to be the male lead. Yet the casting process could reveal the brightest star to be the heroine, rather than the hero. May Anne Dalton is glamour personified as she ages gracefully from 32 to 62, capturing the enduring love of a younger man, Steve McCloud.

In the movie world, where the focus has been on strong men and constant action, it would seem we could use some serious romance in our lives. The recent movie and television series, Sex and the City, comes to mind. All the characters in that film are over 40. Look at Helen Mirren.  At 61, she won an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in, The Queen, and has been nominated for awards multiple times in the last 10 years. Diane Keaton’s success as a leading lady, after age 50, is another example of the trend towards older female leads.  Who would have thought, 10 years ago, that a romantic comedy about two ordinary middle-aged people would be produced, and launch an Oscar nomination; but in 2003, Something’s Gotta Give, did just that for Diane Keaton.

In the past, some of the most successful and revered films were serious romantic films that touched the heart. Who among us had dry eyes after watching such ageless films as, Gone with the Wind and Rebecca? The star actresses in those films, Vivian Leigh as Scarlet O’Hara, and Joan Fontaine as Rebecca, definitely outshone their leading men.

Is the movie industry—addicted to action films and romantic comedies—ready for a dose of tear-jerking love stories? In his book, PICTURES AT A REVOLUTION— Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood, author Mark Harris traces a film revolution that occurred in the period 1963-1968, during the last days of the studio system, and after the first sparks of a major cultural upheaval. Dynamic women leads appearing on screen at the time were Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, Anne Bancroft in, The Graduate, and Katherine Hepburn, returning to the screen in, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? When these films hit the screen, viewers finally realized that woman’s performances could beas powerful as the male leads.

Today we have a plethora of talented female actresses in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and even 60’s, not yet ready to give up their leading lady status.  And with the aging Baby Boomers clamoring to spend money at the movie houses, we have an audience that can identify with characters “of a certain age”. So, unlike casting protocol in the old studio system, older actresses are now demanding better roles.

But as the movie industry continues to pursue its dependency on strong leading men, there will continue to be fewer scripts written for women stars. Multi-dimensional leading roles that may have been created for such iconic figures as Elizabeth Taylor, Bette Davis, Ingrid Bergman, and Jane Fonda are not being developed in great numbers by screen writers. It’s a fact that box office doors are not open as wide for women stars as they are for leading men, regardless of the star’s age. Warren Beatty has said that, “Casting is destiny, particularly in movies, because casting is character—and character is plot.”  And in the case of strong female leads, casting is critical.

Unlike Steel Magnolias, which evolves around a group of distinctive female characters, The Saddle Bum film contrasts a strong and attractive upper-class woman, Mary Anne Dalton, against a male co-star of lesser social status, Steve McCloud, who is mesmerized by his own virtual goddess.

The role of Mary Anne Dalton is a rarity in Hollywood, even by today’s standards.  It is an iconic and complicated role, which requires beauty and strength of character from the actress who plays the part.  If performed correctly, the Mary Anne role could catapult the right actress to the heights of stardom or regenerate the career of a fallen star. Smart agents all over Hollywood will be clamoring at casting directors’ doors for the chance to submit their most accomplished theatrical talents.

Who will play Mary Anne Dalton? As yet, no one knows. But one thing is for sure, casting of the role will offer the opportunity of a lifetime to one lucky actress.

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