Inside Daisy Clover Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A spunky teen singing sensation gets swallowed whole by cynical 1930s Hollywood, marries a secretly gay heartthrob, and has a rough time, all while wearing unmistakably 1960s clothes.

🍿 Inside Daisy Clover: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Tomboy’s Hollywood Dream

In 1936, Daisy Clover is a spirited, 15-year-old tomboy living in poverty on Angel Beach with her eccentric mother, often called ‘The Dealer’. Daisy dreams of escaping her harsh reality by becoming a Hollywood singing star. She sends a recording of her voice to Swan Studios, hoping for a chance at fame.

From Shack to Stardom

Producer Raymond Swan is captivated by Daisy’s raw talent and unique persona. He signs her to a contract and begins transforming her into ‘America’s New Valentine’. The studio crafts a wholesome image for her, which requires distancing her from her unconventional mother.

Navigating the Studio System

As Daisy rises to fame, she experiences the manipulative and often cruel realities of the studio system. Her life becomes controlled by Swan and his associates, who dictate her public image and personal life. She struggles to maintain her independence and authenticity amidst the pressures of superstardom.

A Tumultuous Romance

Daisy becomes romantically involved with Wade Lewis, a handsome and troubled matinee idol also under Swan’s control. Their relationship offers Daisy a sense of connection but is fraught with complications and ultimately adds to her disillusionment with Hollywood life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Daisy Clover (Natalie Wood): The resourceful tomboy who becomes a Hollywood star but struggles with the industry’s manipulation.
• Raymond Swan (Christopher Plummer): The powerful and ruthless studio head who discovers and exploits Daisy for profit.
• Wade Lewis (Robert Redford): A charismatic movie star with a secret personal life who enters a complicated relationship with Daisy.
• The Dealer – Mrs. Clover (Ruth Gordon): Daisy’s eccentric mother whose fate at the hands of the studio deeply affects Daisy.
• Walter Baines (Roddy McDowall): Raymond Swan’s cold and unctuous assistant who manages aspects of Daisy’s controlled life.
• Melora Swan (Katharine Bard): Raymond Swan’s seemingly composed wife who also experiences the harsh realities of Hollywood life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Dealer – Mrs. Clover: “I only started to miss him this morning.” – Said matter-of-factly to a cop when explaining why she waited seven years to report her husband’s disappearance, highlighting her eccentricity.
• Daisy Clover: “My mama says this world’s a garbage dump and we’re just the flies it attracts. But when I sing, the smell doesn’t seem so bad.” – Daisy explains her motivation for singing and dreaming of stardom to Raymond Swan, revealing her cynical view of life shaped by her circumstances.
• Raymond Swan: “You don’t lose me money, you make me money.” – Swan cruelly reminds Daisy of her value to him and the studio after her breakdown, emphasizing that her personal struggles are secondary to her profitability.
• Wade Lewis: “Good night, sweet, sad, lonely lady.” – Wade says this to Daisy shortly after they meet, showing his immediate perception of her underlying vulnerability despite her tough exterior.
• Melora Swan: “They say I’ve got a headache, BUT I’VE GOT A HEARTACHE!” – Melora drunkenly confesses her deep pain and disillusionment to Daisy, revealing the unhappiness beneath her composed surface.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $4,500,000

💥 Inside Daisy Clover Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘Inside Daisy Clover’ and wow, what a ride! It’s definitely not your typical Hollywood rags-to-riches story. It’s darker and weirder than I expected. Natalie Wood was giving it her all, even if she was way too old to play 15. But honestly, her intensity in scenes like the sound booth breakdown or when she’s dealing with Christopher Plummer’s character really got to me. It felt messy and real in those moments. And Robert Redford? Just breathtaking to watch, even if his character was a total heartbreaker with his own secrets. Their scenes together had this strange chemistry, even when things were clearly falling apart. Ruth Gordon was hilarious and heartbreaking as her mom. Yeah, the 60s styles in a 30s setting were super distracting, and the plot felt a bit all over the place sometimes. But I found myself really drawn into Daisy’s struggles and the totally bizarre world the studio created around her. It’s a fascinating look at how brutal the dream factory could be. Not perfect, but definitely memorable and made me think about the real people behind the stars.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in behind-the-scenes looks at the studio system”
  • “Fans of Natalie Wood, Christopher Plummer, and Robert Redford”
  • “Those who appreciate films with cynical or dark themes”
  • “Viewers who enjoy campy or stylized period pieces”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of mental health issues”
  • “Themes of manipulation and exploitation”
  • “Implied homosexuality (period specific context)”
  • “Brief depiction of a suicide attempt”
  • “Stylistic choices (anachronistic costuming/music)”

Professional Reviews

• Critique Corner: “”Inside Daisy Clover” is a strange beast, ambitious in its dark portrayal of Hollywood’s 1930s machine but undermined by tonal inconsistencies and questionable casting. Natalie Wood gives it her all, though perhaps too much, in a role she’s visibly too old for. Christopher Plummer is a standout as the ruthless studio head, a chilling counterpoint to the film’s often over-the-top melodrama. While flawed, its cynical edge and bold themes, including a surprisingly open depiction of bisexuality for its time, make it a curio worth discussing, if not always enjoying.
• Cinema Speak: “Robert Mulligan’s “Inside Daisy Clover” is a dazzling but disjointed look at the price of fame. Natalie Wood tackles the challenging role of the young, exploited starlet, delivering moments of raw vulnerability amidst an otherwise theatrical performance. The film’s biggest misstep is its jarring blend of 1930s setting with distinctly 1960s aesthetics, from costumes to music cues. Yet, there are flashes of brilliance, particularly in Ruth Gordon’s eccentric turn and Christopher Plummer’s menacing studio boss. It’s a film more fascinating for its audacious failures and dark themes than its overall success.
• The Silver Screen: “Despite a stellar cast including Natalie Wood, Christopher Plummer, and a striking young Robert Redford, “Inside Daisy Clover” struggles to find its footing. The story of a tomboy rising to stardom only to face Hollywood’s cruel realities is compelling on paper, but the execution is uneven. Wood is too old for the part, and the film oscillates wildly between gritty drama and campy musical numbers. Redford offers a captivating performance as the complex love interest. While it doesn’t fully succeed, its willingness to explore darker themes within the studio system was ahead of its time.

Audience Reactions

Ruth Gordon’s performance as the eccentric mother stole many scenes.: Viewers found the film’s cynical take on Hollywood and the studio system intriguing, despite its flaws. The performances of Christopher Plummer and Robert Redford are frequently praised.

Robert Redford’s portrayal of a complex, closeted character was captivating.: The film is appreciated by some for its unconventional themes and willingness to explore darker aspects of fame and identity, especially for the era it was made.

The musical numbers, particularly ‘You’re Gonna Hear From Me’, were often seen as campy but memorable.: Many viewers commented on the jarring time period inconsistencies (1930s story, 1960s look) and the miscasting of Natalie Wood’s age, but found the film’s overall strangeness compelling.

Overall Consensus: A flawed but fascinating Hollywood expose, often criticized for its execution and historical inaccuracies but praised for its bold themes, strong supporting performances, and intriguing dark tone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Natalie Wood, who was 27 during filming, played the character of Daisy Clover, who is stated to be 15 years old at the beginning of the movie.”
• “Most of Natalie Wood’s singing voice for the musical numbers was dubbed by vocalist Jackie Ward, although Wood did sing the opening line of “You’re Gonna Hear From Me” in the screen test scene.”
• “Robert Redford’s character, Wade Lewis, is depicted as a closeted homosexual or bisexual man, which was a relatively daring theme for a major studio film in 1965.”
• “The film’s period setting (the 1930s) is often inconsistent, with costumes and hairstyles frequently reflecting the mid-1960s era in which the movie was made.”
• “Ruth Gordon received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Daisy’s eccentric mother, ‘The Dealer’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Inside Daisy Clover?

“Inside Daisy Clover” is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon. Check digital retailers for rental options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Inside Daisy Clover, you might like these similar films:

• A Star Is Born (1954): An iconic Hollywood story about the rise of a young star and the tragic decline of her mentor, sharing themes of the price of fame and difficult relationships in show business.
• Sunset Blvd. (1950): A classic, dark satire exploring the grim reality behind the Hollywood dream, featuring a faded star clinging to past glory and manipulation, similar to the cynical view presented in Daisy Clover.
• Valley of the Dolls (1967): Made just a couple of years later, this film also delves into the destructive side of fame, ambition, and personal struggles of young women in the entertainment industry, sharing a similar melodramatic and cynical tone.
• La La Land (2016): A modern musical that follows aspiring artists in Los Angeles navigating their dreams, relationships, and the challenges of achieving success, offering a contemporary perspective on similar themes.
• The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968): Considered a camp classic from the same era, this film also offers an over-the-top, darkly satirical look at the manipulative and potentially destructive nature of the Hollywood system and the recreation of a star image.

🛒 Inside Daisy Clover Related Products

• Inside Daisy Clover (Warner Archive Collection) Blu-ray: Experience the film in high definition, often including bonus features like trailers or behind-the-scenes insights into this unique production.
• Hollywood Golden Age Books: Dive deeper into the history and scandals of the studio system during the 1930s and 40s, exploring the realities that inspired the film’s themes.
• Vintage 1930s Style Dresses or Costumes: Find dresses and accessories inspired by the actual fashion of the 1930s, a stark contrast to the film’s 1960s aesthetic.
• Soundtrack Album: Inside Daisy Clover (Original Motion Picture Score): The score and songs from the film, featuring the memorable ‘You’re Gonna Hear From Me’ and André Previn’s atmospheric music.

🎧 Soundtrack

Inside Daisy Clover features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You’re Gonna Hear from Me” – performed by Jackie Ward (dubbing Natalie Wood), Natalie Wood (intro)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Natalie Wood ‘s own voice – You’re Gonna Hear From Me, part 2 – Inside Daisy Clover

Curious about the singing in Inside Daisy Clover? Listen to Natalie Wood’s actual voice singing ‘You’re Gonna Hear From Me’ and find out the surprising story behind why someone else’s voice was used in the final film. It’s honestly pretty cool to hear her original performance!

✨ Rate