Stories set in the theatrical world are often reflexive, as the lines between acting and reality so easily blur. This effective episode of Four Star Playhouse works because Joanne Woodward truly lives her part.
Made before she was a star, she plays a young actress on Broadway whose leading role in a play gets panned by powerful theater critic David Niven. She visits him toting a gun (presumably the prop gun used in the final act of the play) and complains about the review.
In almost sitcom fashion, Niven doesn't yield and even suggests she give up acting for awhile to study human behavior and hone her skills. His good advice and her own ingratiating personality lead to a romance and soon he throws a party to announce their engagement.
When it comes ime for her to speak she reveals to all the guests that this was all a ruse to prove to him that she can really act, namely fool him into thinking she's in love with him. Of course the final plot twist is quite predictable.
As Niven, who produces this show as well as starring in it, delivers an underplayed performance, it allows Woodward to dominate the show and really prove how terrific she is. The title "Full Circle" perfectly describes this demonstration of play-acting working on several levels, and the arrival of a great star.
Made before she was a star, she plays a young actress on Broadway whose leading role in a play gets panned by powerful theater critic David Niven. She visits him toting a gun (presumably the prop gun used in the final act of the play) and complains about the review.
In almost sitcom fashion, Niven doesn't yield and even suggests she give up acting for awhile to study human behavior and hone her skills. His good advice and her own ingratiating personality lead to a romance and soon he throws a party to announce their engagement.
When it comes ime for her to speak she reveals to all the guests that this was all a ruse to prove to him that she can really act, namely fool him into thinking she's in love with him. Of course the final plot twist is quite predictable.
As Niven, who produces this show as well as starring in it, delivers an underplayed performance, it allows Woodward to dominate the show and really prove how terrific she is. The title "Full Circle" perfectly describes this demonstration of play-acting working on several levels, and the arrival of a great star.