Directed by
Philip Dunne.
Ten North Frederick is a generally satisfying adaptation of one of John O'Hara's weaker novels. Gary Cooper plays wealthy businessman Joe Chapin, whose politically ambitious wife Edith (Geraldine Fitzgerald) hopes to ramrod into the White House. To this end, Edith donates tons of money to the party of her choice and forces Joe into a maelstrom of power meetings and high-profile social engagements. Threatening to upset Edith's plans is her daughter Ann (Diane Varsi), who insists upon conducting a romance with an "undesirable" musician. Joe buys off Ann's boyfriend, thereby alienating his daughter. Soon Joe's chickens come home to roost when a rival politician makes public Ann's indiscretions. Adding insult to injury, Edith lets her husband know about her many extramarital affairs. In hoping to win back his daughter's affections, Joe falls in love with Ann's roomate Kate Drummond (Suzy Parker). Finding true happiness and contentment for the first time in his life, Joe is denied even this balm when he becomes mortally ill. Gary Cooper makes a valiant effort at playing a more complex individual than he was accustomed to, succeeding about 75 percent of the time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
lost interest.
Although 10 North Frederick wants to be a serious drama, it falls short of its goals, ending up a high class soap opera. Indeed, the film's failed aspirations unintentionally mirror those of its protagonist, a good man who falls victim to both flaws and virtues of his own character.
Frederick is certainly watchable, thanks mainly to its cast, but one watches it wishing that the screenplay were stronger and that the direction were more incisive. The original John O'Hara novel upon which it is based is not a great work of art, but the characters are presented therein with a greater degree of complexity. The film's main character retains a greater degree of complexity than the supporting cast, but the complexity is never adequately explained or explored; at the same time, the tone is not detached or observational enough to allow a "draw your own conclusions" approach. Certainly,
Gary Cooper does his best with the role, which allows him to stretch his acting muscles in some directions that than many of his better-known roles did not. Cooper is quite good -- but even better is
Geraldine Fitzgerald, whose icy, ambitious wife manages to steal scenes even when she's not in them.
Diane Varsi is good as the daughter, and model
Suzy Parker turns in what is arguably the best performance of her career.
Frederick is not a great movie, but the cast -- especially Fitzgerald make it much more than watchable. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide