A classic late bloomer/ugly duckling story based upon the novel by Olivia Higgins Prouty. Charlotte Vale (Bette Davis) is the unwanted youngest daughter of a hypercritical, controlling Boston matriarch. Concerned about Charlotte’s escalating anxious reclusiveness, other family members summon a psychiatrist (Claude Rains) to surreptitiously evaluate her. The empathetic Dr. Jaquith quickly perceives the unhealthy situation and whisks the frumpy auntie away to a sanitarium set on a sprawling, bucolic campus.

Resistant and utterly lacking in confidence, Charlotte is patiently nudged to discover her potential. Shedding several dress sizes, we find her transformed into an elegant, refined and lovely [albeit shaky] lady. For the rest of the film, Oscar-winning costume designer Orry-Kelly drapes the actress in one gorgeous outfit after another, helping the 5-foot-2-inch actress fill the screen – as if her dynamic persona were not enough.

When her treatment is done, rather than immediately returning to the toxic mother, Charlotte is booked on a long pleasure cruise to South America. While aboard, she meets Jerry (Paul Henreid,) a charming young architect who is languishing in an unhappy marriage. They indulge in a short-lived romance, both gallantly agreeing to break it off for the sake of Jerry’s daughters -- one of whom is also unwanted by the mother.

Upon her return to Boston, Charlotte’s newfound confidence, poise and grace create quite a sensation. She is also finally able to stand up to her mother. Seeing the similarity to her own past, Charlotte resolves to take Jerry’s timid and bespectacled daughter under her wing, who shortly begins to blossom.

The positive message of placing others’ interests above one’s own immediate gratification is commendable enough. Additionally, the constructive depiction of mental health treatment and facilities is refreshing, especially when considering that this movie was made in the early 1940s.

This is the first, but will certainly not be the last recommended film starring Bette Davis. Her range and ability to convey a multiplicity of thoughts/emotions are second to none. [It would take many paragraphs to describe what Miss Davis can show in a mere moment of acting.]  In this film, she convincingly incarnates a dowdy middle-aged shrinking violet, an adorable/defiant teenager and a refined lady of elegance.