The Actress (1953 George Cukor)

Ruth Gordon's autobiographical screenplay from her stage play 'Years Ago' is set in 1913 and features Jean Simmons as herself with Spencer Tracy as her disapproving (but ultimately supportive) father and Teresa Wright as her mother. Wright's makeup by William Tuttle is great - she was only 35, and she's terrific, as is Tracy. The film is marked by very long takes which I guess Wright was used to from Wyler, but Tracy's also brilliant, Simmons good too. Anthony Perkins is her beau.

Harold Rosson's photography is particularly classy. It's an MGM picture.