We love our stars. That's why we create them, shaping them as repositories of fascination, as heightened mirrors of ourselves, either in ascension or decline. Stars can also touch us deeply, but that rarely comes from stardom alone. In the theater, I'd say, stardom sinks deep into our hearts and minds only when put in the service of art.
Stardom alone is charisma and craft, a momentary buzz, a flash of brilliance.
Together they generate an undeniable sizzle of light, though not lasting heat. Primarily there's the potent attraction of Turner, prowling the stage, working the audience, her ample charms lit by inner fires. Tallulah was always celebrated more for herself than for her art. Not that she isn't an immensely entertaining figure, generator of many a famous bitter-funny aphorism on sex, liquor, acting and stardom. Heyward's text is adult, laced with bracing wit.