January 31st: THE BEST OF EVERYTHING (Jean Negulesco, 1959)

Three young women who live together and all work at a New York publishing company navigate office politics and romance.

Rona Jaffe had her first novel published when she was 27 years-old, a partially autobiographical melodrama based on her own experiences working in the publishing industry. In a rare move back in the late 1950s but more common today, the rights to the book were bought before it even appeared in stores, by 20th Century Fox producer Jerry Wald.

The project was assigned to director Jean Negulesco, a Romanian immigrant who had been working in Hollywood since the 1930s. Originally an painter and set decorator, he distinguished himself in film with his stylish visual approach, and was known for his work on  "women's pictures", most notably recent hits How To Marry A Millionaire and Three Coins in the Fountain. 

Wald had originally hoped to cast big names such as Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, and Joanne Woodward, but eventually wound up with some newer names along with veteran character actors. The leads were played by recent Oscar nominee Hope Lange (Peyton Place), Diane Baker (Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie), and model-turned-actress Suzy Parker (Funny Face). The cast also includes future Paramount Pictures head Robert Evans, French actor Louis Jourdan (Gigi), and the last-minute signing of screen legend Joan Crawford in a memorable role.

The film was partially shot on location in various locations in Manhattan (including Central Park) and Long Island. Interiors on over 35 sets were done back in Hollywood on the Fox lot. Behind the camera was cinematographer William C. Mellor (A Place In The Sun). The costumes designed for the film's actresses by Adele Palmer were so popular with viewers, some were mass-produced and sold in stores. The musical score is by 45-time Oscar nominee Alfred Newman.

Crawford, whose husband had recently died, was in debt despite being named to the Pepsi-Cola corporation board of directors in his place. She took the role primarily for the money and was hoping to make a significant comeback with the film. One of her key scenes, a drunken monologue, was cut for time, enraging the actress.

The novel and production promoted each other, with the former getting an initial print run of one million copies and released at the same time as the film's theatrical debut. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film was a box success and inspired a television soap opera ten years later. It received Academy Award nominations for its theme song and costume design. Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner named it a major influence on his show, particularly in its depiction of women in the workplace.

Running time is approx. 2 hours.