Teresa Wright's first performance was in the stage play, Life with Father. It was there that she was discovered by a talent scout hired by Samuel Goldwyn to find a young actress for the role of Bette Davis' daughter in the film, The Little Foxes (1941). Which was the film that she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The following year, she was nominated again, this time for Best Actress for The Pride of the Yankees, that same year, she won Best Supporting Actress as the daughter-in-law of Greer Garson's character in Mrs. Miniver. No other actor has ever has received an Oscar nomination for each of their first three films.
In 1943, Wright was loaned out by Goldwyn for the Universal film Shadow of a Doubt, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She played an innocent young woman who discovers that her beloved uncle, played by Joseph Cotten, is a serial murderer.
Other notable films include The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), a story about servicemen returning home after World War II, and The Men (1950), another story about war veterans.
After 1959, she worked mostly in television and on the stage. She was nominated for Emmy Awards in 1957 for The Miracle Worker and in 1960 for , White Story. She was in the 1975 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman and the 1980 revival of Morning's at Seven, for which she won a Drama Desk Award as a member of the Outstanding Ensemble Performance.
Her later movie performances include, Somewhere in Time (1980) and The Rainmaker (1997), directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Fun Fact: Her husband, Niven Busch, originally wrote Duel in the Sun (1946) for her to play the lead, as a departure from her girl-next-door roles. But pregnancy forced her to drop out, and Jennifer Jones got the lead.
Today TCM is Featuring Teresa Wright Films listed below: The Best Years Of Our Lives Mrs. Miniver The Little Foxes
Enchantment (1948) is a romantic film starring David Niven and Teresa Wright. It was directed by Irving Reis. It was based on the novel Take Three Tenses by Rumer Godden.
Casanova Brown (1944) film starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Frank Morgan. The film was written by Thomas Mitchell (the actor), Floyd Dell, and Nunnally Johnson, and directed by Sam Wood.
Grace Kelly (November 12, 1929 – September 14, 1982), was an Oscar-winning movie actress who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Grace Kelly, performed in just over 10 movies in her life time:
The Swan( 1956). Remake of a 1925 film (also remade in 1930 as One Romantic Night). The film is a romantic comedy directed by Charles Vidor, produced by Dore Schary from a screenplay by John Dighton based on the play by Ferenc Molnár. Costume design by Helen Rose. Cast: Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness and Louis Jourdan with Agnes Moorehead, Jessie Royce Landis, Brian Aherne, Leo G. Carroll, Estelle Winwood and Robert Coote. This was the second time in two years that Jessie Royce Landis played Grace Kelly's mother. The first was in To Catch a Thief (1955). These were the only two films in which both actresses performed together. Beautifully filmed and Grace Kelly, never looked lovelier and is excellent in this role.
The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954). film based on a novel by James Michener about a naval aviator assigned to bomb a group of heavily defended bridges during the Korean War. It was made into a motion picture and won the Special Effects Oscar at the 28th Academy Awards. The novel and film are a composite of actual missions flown against bridges at Majon-ni and Changnim-Ni, North Korea, in the winter of 1951–1952, when Michener was a correspondent aboard the aircraft carriers Essex and Valley Forge, and with a pair of rescue missions on February 8, 1952, one of which involved the shoot-down of a plane off the Valley Forge. However, in the rescue incident referenced the downed airmen survived the crash and rescue attempt but were captured by North Korean soldiers. For realistic close-up shots, William Holden learned how to taxi a fighter on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Some movie viewers believe that Grace Kelly was wasted in her small part in this film. Although, it is very close to the her role she played as housewife and mother in the film, The Country Girl, where she won her Oscar. She has a memorable scene with her husband's commander Admiral Fredric March, when her husband goes off to help his men.
High Society(1956). Is a musical film with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. It was directed by Charles Walters and produced by Sol C. Siegel from a screenplay by John Patrick, based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry. The cinematography was by Paul Vogel, the art direction by Cedric Gibbons and Hans Peters and the costume design by Helen Rose. It is notable for being the last film performance of Grace Kelly, before she became Princess consort of Monaco. Elizabeth Taylor was the first choice for the part of Tracy Lord. She was unavailable so the part went to Grace Kelly.
Even though Grace Kelly, is the central character in this musical film, she does not sing, but joins Bing Crosby, for the song "True Love" and drunkenly shouting, "Sensational,".
To Catch a Thief(1955). Romantic/Thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Cast: Gary Grant, Grace Kelly. The movie is set on the French Riviera. On 14 September 1982, Grace Kelly was killed in an automobile accident in Monaco, supposedly on the very same road as her famous chase scene in this film and not far from where she had a picnic scene with Cary Grant. She was 52 years old and lost control of her car after suffering a stroke while at the wheel.
Grace Kelly, was absolutely elegant and at the height of her beauty in this film. Kelly, was dressed by the very talented Edith Head.
The Country Girl (1954). Drama film adapted by George Seaton from a Clifford Odets play of the same name, which tells the story of an alcoholic has-been actor struggling with the one last chance he's been given to save his career. Cast: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and William Holden. Kelly, won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role. Jennifer Jones was considered for, but turned down, the female lead which later won Grace Kelly her Oscar. It seems every time a beautiful woman makes herself look plain, she wins an Oscar.
During auditions for a new musical production, the director, Bernie Dodd, watches fading star Frank Elgin, perform his number and suggests he be cast. Cook, the shows producer has strong oppositions.
Elgin, is living in a small apartment with his wife Georgie, a bitter woman who has aged far beyond her years, are not sure Elgin can handle the part.
Bernie believes that Georgie is the reason for Frank's problems and he criticizes her, to her face. He doesn't know Elgin's career ended with the death of their five-year-old son, who was hit by a car while he was in the care.
Bernie, realizes that behind his hatred of Georgie, there is a strong attraction to her. He kisses her and they fall in love.
Elgin, is wonderful in the role on opening night. Bernie, believes now that Elgin has recovered his self-respect, Georgie will be free to leave him, but will she?
Dial M For Murder (1954). Thriller film based from a stage play and directed by Alfred Hitchcock . It stars Ray Milland as a retired tennis pro who wishes to have his wife killed, Grace Kelly as the wife, and Robert Cummings as her lover. The supporting cast includes: John Williams as the police detective who investigates the matter and Anthony Dawson as the man hired to do the killing.
Grace Kelly was 25-years-old and full of confidence as an actress and she certainly proved it here.
Green Fire(1954). Directed by Andrew Marton and produced by Armand Deutsch, with original music by Miklós Rózsa.C ast: Grace Kelly, Stewart Granger, Paul Douglas and John Ericson. The story is about a Rugged mining engineer Rian Mitchell, who discovers a lost emerald mine in the highlands of Colombia, which had last been operated by the Spanish conquistadors. Rian is a man consumed by the quest for wealth. The mining and plantation scenes were shot on location in rural Colombia. The cast and crew lived many weeks of miserable weather to give the film its realistic look.
Kelly, seemed a bit out of place, living in the south American jungle. Although, this adventure story had enough action and excitement, to keep your interest until the end.
Rear Window (1954). Suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by John Michael Hayes and based on Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story "It Had to Be Murder". Cast: James Stewart as a photographer who spies on his neighbors while recuperating from a broken leg; Grace Kelly as his girlfriend; Thelma Ritter as his nurse; Wendell Corey as a police detective; and Raymond Burr as one of the neighbors. The film is considered by many to be one of Hitchcock's best. It received four Academy Award nominations. The love affair between war photographer Robert Capa and actress Ingrid Bergman was believed to be Alfred Hitchcock's inspiration for the film.
Grace Kelly's character, started out struggling with her relationship with L.B., because he has doubts about marrying her, but.. she loves him so much that she will to do anything for him, including going into danger to win his heart.
Mogambo(1953) film directed by John Ford. Cast: Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly and Donald Sinden. The film was adapted by John Lee Mahin from the play by Wilson Collison. Kelly won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress (1954), and the film was nominated for two Oscars, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Gardner), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kelly). Mogambo is a remake of the classic film Red Dust (1932). The earlier movie also featured Gable in the lead role. Personal quote: Mogambo (1953) had three things that interested me. John Ford, Clark Gable, and a trip to Africa with expenses paid. If Mogambo had been made in Arizona, I wouldn't have done it.
Grace Kelly, plays the goody two shoes, wife of a English scientist.
High Noon(1952). Western film directed by Fred Zinnemann. Cast:Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. The film tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman. Grace Kelly was cast after Stanley Kramer saw her in an off-Broadway play. He arranged a meeting with her and signed her on the spot.
Even though Grace Kelly plays a beautiful bride, it is hard to like her character .. until the very end.
Rosalind Russell, was an actress of stage and screen, best known for her role as a fast-talking newspaper reporter in the Howard Hawks screwball comedy His Girl Friday, as well as the role of Mame Dennis in the film Auntie Mame. She won all 5 Golden Globes for which she was nominated, and was tied with Meryl Streep. Russell was known for playing character roles, wealthy, ladylike women. She had a career span from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Rosalind Russell featured films on TCM:
Craig's Wife (1936). Cast: Rosalind Russell, John Boles, Billie Burke. Dir: Dorothy Arzner. While Harriet is out of town taking care of her sister, her husband Walter is accused murder. Only thinking of herself, Harriet decides that her ill sister does not really need her and decides togo back to her beautiful home. She soon learns that Walter is under suspicion for murder and she does everything she can to protect him from the police, only so it won't inconvenience her.The only thing she really only cares about is her beautiful house and puts it before her family.For Rosalind Russell fans, the film is quite a change of pace from those who may know her best from thefilm, "His Girl Friday."
Trouble For Two (1936). Before he can marry, a European prince gets mixed up with a suicide club. Cast: Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell, Reginald Owen. Dir: J. Walter Ruben.
Man-Proof (1938). A woman refuses to give up on the man she loves, even after he marries someone else. Cast: Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell, Walter Pidgeon. Dir: Richard Thorpe.
What a Woman! (1943). A female literary agent tries to make her star client as adventures as his most famous character. Cast: Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne, Willard Parker. Dir: Irving Commings.
The Guilt of Janet Ames (1947). A hard-drinking reporter tries to help the embittered widow of the soldier who had saved his life during the war. Cast: Rosalind Russell.
Marlene Dietrich, first film performance was playing a bit part in the 1922 film, So sind die Männer (1922). She met her future husband, Rudolf Sieber, on the set of another film made that year, Tragödie der Liebe.
Dietrich continued to work on stage and in film both in Berlin and Vienna throughout the 1920s. On stage, she had roles in, Pandora's Box, The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night Dream, Back to Methuselah and Misalliance. It was in the musicals, Es Liegt in der Luft and Zwei Krawatten, that she received the most attention.
By the late 1920s, Dietrich was also performing on screen in, Cafe Elektric (1927), Ich küsse Ihre Hand, Madame (1928) and Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen (1929).
In 1929, Dietrich landed the breakthrough role of Lola-Lola in the film, The Blue Angel (1930). The film was directed by Josef von Sternberg, who took credit for having "discovered" Dietrich. The film is best known for having introduced Dietrich's signature song "Falling in Love Again".
After The Blue Angel's success, Dietrich moved to the U.S. on contract to Paramount Pictures. Her first American film, Morocco(1930), Directed by von Sternberg, earned Dietrich her only Oscar nomination. The film is about a Foreign Legionnaire, who meets and falls in love with a singer. Cast: Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich and Adolphe Menjou. It was nominated for four Academy Awards in the categories of: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Marlene Dietrich, who knew little English, and spoke her lines phonetically), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Director (Josef von Sternberg).
Dietrich's other stylish cinema film performances that were directed by von Sternberg between 1930 and 1935: Dishonored, Shanghai Express, Blonde Venus, The Scarlet Empress, and The Devil is a Woman.
Dietrich was labeled "box office poison" after her 1937 film, Knight Without Armour. In 1939, her stardom revived when she played the cowboy saloon girl Frenchie in the western, Destry Rides Again, opposite James Stewart.
The movie also introduced another favorite song, "The Boys in the Back Room".She played a similar role with John Wayne in The Spoilers(1942).
Dietrich also worked with directors: Billy Wilder, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles, in films that included A Foreign Affair, Witness for the Prosecution, Rancho Notorious, Touch of Evil and Stage Fright .
My Halloween movie pick is the film, Stage Fright(1950). Directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock. Cast: Jane Wyman, Marlene Dietrich, Michael Wilding, Richard Todd, Alastair Sim, Sybil Thorndike, Kay Walsh, Hitchcock's daughter Patricia Hitchcock in her movie debut and Joyce Grenfell.
Actress Eve Gill, is interrupted in the middle of rehearsals by actor, Jonathan Cooper. He tells her that he is the secret lover of stage actress/singer, Charlotte Inwood. He also shares with her that Charlotte came to him after killing her husband. She was wearing a bloodstained dress and Jonathan agreed to go back to her house and find her blue dress to change into. While there He sees the body of Mr. Inwood laying on the floor. He tries to make it look like a burglary gone wrong, only to be caught in the act by Charlotte's maid.
Eve takes him to hide in a house near the coast owned by her father, Commodore Gill, who notices that the blood on Charlotte's dress has been put there not by accident. He and Eve believe that Jonathan has been framed. Eve decides to find out the truth by posing as a reporter, she bribes maid Nellie Goode, to pretend that she is ill and cannot work for Charlotte for a couple of days.
Soon after Eve becomes friends with Detective Inspector Wilfred Smith, who is now on the case.
Meanwhile, Charlotte continues to perform in her musical show. She is visited by Jonathan who wants her travel abroad with him. Charlotte makes it clear that she will not give up her career.
Eve continues to helps Jonathan hide from the police, but she is beginning to have second thoughts. Will Eve and Wilfred Smith ever get Jonathan and/or Charlotte to make a confession to the police?
I was amazed how wonderful this movie is. It is suspenseful, humorous and touching. Jane Wyman and Richard Todd are wonderful in this film. Marlene Dietrich, was very believable as the flamboyant theater star. It is too bad "Stage Fright" is not more well known.
* Spoiler* Alfred Hitchcock's cameo in, Stage Fright, is walking on the street turning to look at Eve as she rehearses her scripted introduction speech to Mrs. Inwood.*
In my opinion Janis Paige (born September 16, 1922) , is a underrated actress. She began singing from the age of five in local amateur shows. She then moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school and then got a job as a singer at the Hollywood Canteen during World War II. That is where Warner Bros. first saw saw her and signed her up. She began her film career co-starring in musicals, where she performed with either Dennis Morgan or Jack Carson. She later performed in adventures and dramas . Following her role in the film, Two Gals and a Guy (1951), she decided to leave Hollywood .
She then went on to Broadway to perform in , Remains to Be Seen(1951), co-starring Jackie Cooper. She also toured as a cabaret singer.
Stardom came in the Broadway musical, The Pajama Game(1954). (Doris Day went on to play the role on film.) After a six-year hiatus, Paige returned to films in Silk Stockings (1957), which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, plus the Doris Day comedy Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960), followed by a role in Bachelor in Paradise with Bob Hope (1961). Sorry this wonderful clip of Janis does not have sound.
Fri. Sept. 24, 2010. TCM is featuring two Janis Page films: House Across the Street(1949). The film is about how pressure from the mob sends a reporter from the front page to the advice column.
Younger Brothers(1949). The film is about, three law-breaking brothers who try to go straight, only to be followed by a vengeful detective. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- List of films: Bathing Beauty (1944) Hollywood Canteen (1944) Her Kind of Man (1946) Of Human Bondage (1946) Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946) The Time, the Place and the Girl (1946) Always Together (1947) Winter Meeting (1948) Wallflower (1948) Romance on the High Seas (1948) One Sunday Afternoon (1948) Fugitive Lady (1949) The Younger Brothers (1949) The House Across the Street (1949) This Side of the Law (1950) Mr. Universe (1951) Two Gals and a Guy (1951) Silk Stockings (1957) Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) Bachelor in Paradise (1961) Follow the Boys (1963) The Caretakers (1963) Welcome to Hard Times (1967)
