The Story of Esther Costello

The Story of Esther Costello is a 1957 British drama film starring Joan Crawford, Rossano Brazzi, and Heather Sears who won a Bafta as Best British Actress for her performance. The film is an expos of largescale fundraising. The Story of Esther Costello was produced by David Miller and Jack Clayton, with Miller directing. The screenplay by Charles Kaufman was based on a novel by Nicholas Monsarrat. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures.

The film is based on a book by Nicholas Monsarrat that nearly had Helen Kellers coworkers suing for libel due to perceived parallels between Helens story and Esthers. In particular, the book seemed to slur the character of Anne Sullivans husband, writerpublicist John Macy, who was close to Kellers age. A relationship between John and Keller has long been a subject of speculation. Esthers reporter friend was reminiscent of Kellers highly publicised attempt to elope with reportersecretary Peter Fagan.The novel focuses mainly on the falsehoods behind largescale charities and the selfserving natures of those involved. When Esther recovers her sight and hearing, her promoters worry that this will put an end to the Costello Fund. They convince her that the rape was her fault, and that to reveal that she is healed would bring shame and ruin to Margaret. She is actually coached to continue acting as deafblind, and does so for about a year however, in that time she makes several slips some deliberate. Esthers reporter friend discerns the truth and meets Esther privately, whereupon she tells him everything. He plans to write up the story, then take Esther away and marry her. But as he returns to the newspaper office, word comes to him that Esther has suddenly died. When he confronts Margaret she reveals nothing, and continues the charade. The story can never be printed because it will smear Esthers name and disillusion the people who believe in the charity and its message of hope. The novel closes with Margaret giving an impassioned speech at a convention, as millions of attendees open their wallets. ........

Source: Wikipedia