Hard, Fast and Beautiful

Dir. Ida Lupino. 1951, 78 mins. 16mm print courtesy of UCLA Film & Television Archives. With Claire Trevor, Sally Forrest, Carlton G. Young. Trailblazer Lupino’s fourth film as a director stars Trevor as Millie Farley, a manipulative, parasitic mother to Forrest’s Florence, a burgeoning tennis star. Florence’s achievements enable Millie’s social climbing, yet the latter’s ambitions wind up dominating their lives—until love intervenes. Though Hard, Fast and Beautiful is as deliciously hard-boiled as its title, Lupino’s handling of the stage/soccer-mom psychodrama exhibits insight, nuance, and stealth empathy. Hard, Fast and Beautiful features stirring tennis action largely filmed on location at Forest Hills Stadium, former home of the U.S. Open.

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for MoMI members at the Senior/Student level and above. Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.