Curtain Call

“This is some joint!” says effervescent, 91-year-old Blanche Collins about the Actors' Fund Home in Englewood, NJ, where she lives with other folks retired from show business but definitely not retired from life. Nominated for an Oscar, Chuck Braverman's Curtain Call profiles eight residents—jazz musicians, dancers, and actors—whose reminiscences are accompanied by clips from their past performances. Interviewees include actress Pamela Duncan, who landed work in Hollywood via Rita Hayworth's hairdresser; former Ziegfeld Follies dancer Tessie Moreno, who at the age of 18 was performing in Paris with the legendary Josephine Baker; and Gaylord Mason, who was arrested on suspicion of homosexuality, and ended up losing a role to Kirk Douglas. In addition to the retired showbiz professionals, the documentary features interviews with administrators and visitors, who tend to accentuate the positive, but the overall optimistic tone is credible and borne out by the retirees themselves. DVD extras include bonus footage. A touching, engrossing film, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)