An intimate portrait of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, filmmakers David and Albert Maysles were drawn to the pair after reading a series of stories about impoverished relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis living in squalor in East Hampton, New York. The Maysles’ brought their cameras to the once impressive Grey Gardens, where seventy-eight year old “Big” Edie Bouvier Beale and her fifty-six year old daughter “Little” Edie Beale seemed happy to live out their days, even as the mansion was crumbling around them. Though Onassis, and her sister Lee Radziwill provided them with the funds to get the house back up to code in the early 1970’s, the two continued to live with an assortment of cats, varmints, and other critters, apparently regarding them as family.
Despite their dwindled finances and decaying surroundings, the Beales still clung to their blue blooded sense of entitlement. Little Edie wore several outfits in a single day, and mentioned her ties to the Bouvier’s and other important people regularly. Edith, largely bedridden but far from docile, clearly ruled the roost. She seemed to control everything her daughter did. Edie, sing a song for me, and this time sing it right!; Edie put on another costume for me. “Little” Edie was an apt nickname for the younger Beale, her mother treated her like a baby who could be wound up to perform for her.
That said, in some strange way, it’s clear that mother and daughter love each other. Given there “odd” sense of reality, they need each other to maintain the world they’ve created for themselves. Little Edie still seems to believe a career as an entertainer is possible, which becomes evident early on in the film when she sings ‘You Oughtta Be In Pictures’ for the camera and for Albert. Not to be outdone, “Big” Edie has a penchant for breaking into song and remarking that her voice sounds as good now as it did when she was a young woman. Both women may have been a card or two short of a deck, but they also come across as rather fun.
While some critics thought the film was exploitive, the film became a cult hit, as fans thought the kooky Beales were a riot. Little Edie’s fashions—most notably the scarves she wrapped around her head and decorated with pins or broaches—spawned a short-lived fad. Mother and daughter seemed to enjoy the spotlight and expressed no concern with being exploited. “Little” Edie loved the film. Her only complaint was that she wished there was more singing and dancing. I’m sure she would be glad to know that Grey Gardens remains such a cult favorite, spawning a musical, two plays, an HBO film and a song.
In 2006, Albert Maysles (David died in 1987) released The Beales of Grey Gardens, a film he put together after combing through hours of unused footage from the original shoot. The film turns the focus to “Little” Edie, giving her an opportunity to show more of her singing and dancing talent. The Beales of Grey Gardens also includes several scenes that show the Maysles interacting with the Beales. This shows that the brothers supposed “non-interference” filmmaking to be nonsense. Perhaps more importantly, It shows that Edie had a fun, almost, flirty relationship with the brothers, and clearly enjoyed their attention. “Big” Edie remains much the same as she was in the earlier film, stern and direct, which causes some significant clashes with her daughter.
While The Beales of Grey Gardens doesn’t really offer up anything new, it’s nice to revisit the world of these two eccentrics. Interesting, the film does take us off the mansion grounds, as we go with “Little” Edie to church. I couldn’t help but wonder if the Beales weren’t quite the hermits they were made out to be. Whatever the case, the Beales are certainly memorable.
Both films are presented in their original 1.33:1 aspect ratios. Shot in 16mm, Grey Gardens has benefited greatly from Criterion’s 2K digital restoration. More of the image is visible at the top and the bottom, which makes the entire film look better, and close-ups look sharper. The image is notably sharper than in the SD edition, though it’s not as good as some of the newer 1080p transfers. That said the previous edition looks a bit fuzzy, and that’s not the case here. Things just look more natural, and that’s a good thing.
The Beales of Grey Gardens is presented in 1080p as well, but it doesn’t look like it went through the same restoration process. Made from outtakes, this stuff was never supposed to look particularly good. Included as an extra here, it’s a definite upgrade from the SD version, but it looks a bit fuzzy in places.
Audio for both films is provided via LPCM Mono. I didn’t notice much of a difference between this one and the SD version, but it’s solid, and the dialogue is clear.
English subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- The Beales of Grey Gardens (HD, 1:31:18) See above.
- An Introduction to The Beales of Grey Gardens (SD, 8:31) Albert Maysles provides an introduction, recorded in 2006.
- Commentary by Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer, and Susan Froemke: Recorded in 2001, the group discusses how the project came together, working with the two ladies, the response to the film, and more.
- Designer Interviews (HD, 10:48) In two separate interviews, fashion designers Todd Oldham and John Bartlett discuss their initial reactions to viewing the film, and its continuing influence on pop culture.
- “Little” Edie Beale Interview (40:51) Audio interview conducted in 1976 with “Little” Edie by Kathryn Graham for Interview magazine shortly after the film came out. It’s clear Edie loved the spotlight!
- Trailers (HD) Theatrical trailer (2:15) and a TV spot ad (0:38) for the film showing then at New York’s Paris Theater.
- Leaflet: Leaflet featuring Hilton Als’ essay “Staunch Characters”
Scrapbook
- Family Album (HD) An interactive slideshow that allows the viewer to scroll through photos of the Beale family’s younger years.
- Behind the Scenes (HD) A digital slideshow of behind-the-scenes photographs taken during the making of Grey Gardens.
- Cats (HD) A short collection of color and black and white photos of the various cats seen in the film.
