Stephen Boyd and Hope Lange- filming “The Best of Everything”, 1959

Legendary actress Joan Crawford shown with Twentieth Century player Stephen Boyd in this promo photo from The Best of Everything.

Stephen Boyd filmed The Best of Everything with Hope Lange in early 1959. The film was released later that same year, about 2 months before the release of Ben Hur (the movie which would propel Stephen to stardom). The movie was filmed at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, but also some actual New York City scenes were filmed at the Seagram Building at 375 Park Avenue and other locations around the city and in Long Island as well. The story follows the tales of three young women living together in New York who work at the fictitious Fabian Publishing Company and their struggles. The movie was based on the sexy eponymous popular novel by female author Rona Jaffe. Stephen plays Mike Rice, an editor at Fabian’s who is also an entrenched alcoholic. As in the novel, Mike and Caroline Bender, played by the lovely Hope Lange of Peyton Place fame, become close friends. The book is more graphic about their affair, which obviously couldn’t be incorporated into the movie version, but there are some subtle hints. In the book, Mike explains how he finds release from his sexual desire for Caroline alone at night, and Caroline is embarrassed by his ‘adolescent’ confession, but Mike explains how it brings him closer to her. In the movie, you can tell that Boyd had read the book. When speaking to Caroline in one scene, he is deliberately stroking his drink glass with his left hand for a very suggestive affect.

I like the movie ending much better, however, as in the book, after a quick affair, Mike and Caroline drift apart and the novel loses its focus. Fortunately, Hollywood changed this and made these two characters hook up at the end. Obviously, as Rona Jaffe points out in the films DVD commentary, Boyd’s character doesn’t seem to be giving up his alcoholic ways, but this didn’t deter Hollywood from pairing the two good looking  actors together for a romantic ending.  Boyd plays Mike Rice with a touch of patronizing tenderness and empathy, as well as rugged masculine charm.  Boyd received high marks for his portrayal at the time, and he looks ravishingly handsome in the 50’s suit-coats, but he was somewhat overshadowed by such a large cast, including screen legend Joan Crawford and international favorite Louis Jourdan. If you watch this picture now, Boyd does seem to give the most interesting performance, and one wishes he was on the screen more often.  The movie is considered somewhat of a cult classic about the misogynist atmosphere in the 50’s work place, and was a basis for the popular AMC television show Mad Men (apparently the cast was required to watch this film to prepare for their roles). The movie also has a spectacular score by Alfred Newman and great theme song sung by Johnny Mathis.   For more about the filming of “The Best of Everything”, see this link – http://www.joancrawfordbest.com/magvanityfair304.htm

Movie screen shots below and current photos of the Seagram Building area in New Yotk City. You can clearly still see the building which is shown behind Boyd and Lange at the end of the movie. The movie ends with Boyd and Lange walking past St. Bartholomew’s Church on the west side of Park Avenue and 51st street, headed towards the Helmsley Building which can be scene in the distance. You can visit this location today and see many Best of Everything landmarks!

See also:

Joan Crawford Word Press Blog, https://joancrawfordheaven.wordpress.com/

Hope Lange and Stephen Boyd, https://wordpress.com/post/stephenboydblog.wordpress.com/1102

Seagram Building

Walking on Park Avenue West Side and 51st street

St. Bartholomew’s Church on the left

The Helmsley Building Park Avenue

 New York Scenes 2016 of Best of Everything locations at Seagram Building & St. Bartholomew’s Church

Seagram Building 2016

Hemsley Building in distance 2016

Seagram Entrance

Building which can be seen behind Boyd and Lange at the end of the movie

Corner where they cross at the end of them movie

St. Bartholomew Church

Stephen with author Rona Jaffe on the set of The Best of Everything.

Boyd at rehearsal for The Best of Everything. Note that he is still wearing his wedding band on his left ring finger. His divorce from Mariella Di Sarzana would be finalized about a month an a half later in March of 1959.

Boyd and Lange’s close friendship during the filming of The Best of Everything became popular tabloid material.

Fabiano Anthony Forte Bonaparte with Stuart Whitman and Stephen Boyd on the set of The Best of Everything.Supplied by Photos inc.(Credit Image: A© Supplied By Globe Photos Inc/Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com)

Pop star Fabian visits the set with Hope Lange, Stuart Whitman and Stephen Boyd on hand –note “Fabian”Publishing!

Hope Lange, Diane Baker, Martha Hyer and Suzy Parker- the ladies of The Best of Everything.

Stephen Boyd and Old Hollywood Glamour

Stephen Boyd had the style and the image of old Hollywood Glamour. Stephen himself would often say that the Hollywood (during his era) had already lost its mystery.

“There was a time when celebrities were really idols- remote gods and goddesses whom people looked up to and adored. I think everybody needs an idol, but once that idol is reduced to average size and every intimate detail of his life made an open book, then he loses that pedestal which separates him from those who desire to gaze up at him….Ideally, it would be wonderful if, like the fables cities of old, Hollywood could be enclosed behind high walls and no one except those who work there be permitted to enter. Then the mystery would return. Then people once again would wonder and marvel at the fabulous aura emanating from behind those walls. It would once more be a magical kingdom. I think that’s what people really want in their stars–the marvelous magic of mystery.” (Photoplay, 1966)

Here’s a few pics of Stephen out on the town which I think capture some of that Old Style Glamour!

Stephen and unknown ladies

Jetsetting

Autographs

Denise Darcel

Emmeline Henry

Giovanna Ralli

Gionvanna Ralli

Joan Collins

Joan Collins

Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford

Stella Stevens

Tina Louise

Marilyn Hanold

Elke Sommer and Marilyn Hanold

Marilyn Hanold

Romney Tree