MovieChat Forums > Magnificent Obsession (1954) Discussion > Jane Wyman is NOT beautiful

Jane Wyman is NOT beautiful

posted 18 years ago by katiewon
57 replies | jump to latest

There I said it. With all the actresses in Hollywood to choose from, there picked this goofy looking one for the "beautiful wife" of Wayne Phillips. As much as I like this over the top movie, everytime I see Rock looking longingly at her, I break out laughing. She is a prickly pear! And that hairdo! The too short bangs with the side pin curls - Puhlease. No wonder Rock liked boys. At least if Marilyn Monroe or Ava Gardner were across the table, the girls would've had a fighting chance!!

[–] Tashtago 12 years ago

Not beautiful- but she is cute. Nice body. Lovely mouth. Soulful eyes- topped off with the worst hairdo this side of Judy Garland's Meet Me in St. Louis/Ginger Rodgers Kitty Foyle daily salad specials.

[–] Nemesis7293-1 11 years ago

Jane Wyman was beautiful, NOT cute. Her hairstyle in "Magnificent Obsession" was quite pretty and flattering. As for the variations of the hairstyle worn by Judy Garland in "Meet Me In St Louis" and Ginger Rogers in "Kitty Foyle"....it is unquestionably one of the most beautiful, most feminine, and most flattering hairstyles in the history of film.

[–] rob-949 11 years ago

God, who cares. Does it matter? Has the original poster taken into consideration the era? She obviously rose to become a star during her time. By today's standards she's pretty. Not sultry. Not Grace Kelly. (Who is?) It doesn't matter. I also met Ms. Wyman in 1983 and she was gracious and kind (when she had no reason to be -- I was nobody). What's beautiful? An accident of nature. Chance. Can't imagine why it's even worth bringing up. This post is very shallow on so many levels.

[–] EllisFowler 11 years ago

Can't imagine why it's even worth bringing up. This post is very shallow on so many levels.

I disagree. The OP isn't insulting Miss Wyman, just stating an opinion. I happen to agree with it. I think she was a wonderful actress and an extremely classy lady (except for dumping her husband on the hope that her feelings for Lew Ayres were requited) and I really enjoy watching interviews with her. What I don't think she was was beautiful. Or hot. I think she was cute which is a nice way of saying I don't get her appeal at all. But then, I can't imagine why Robert Taylor's Bob Merrick went apesh*t for Irene Dunne in the original, either. These are just two ladies (and it would seem that's no exaggeration) who leave me cold aside from their very obvious talent.

[–] hka-3 11 years ago

And that hairdo! The too short bangs with the side pin curls - Puhlease. No wonder Rock liked boys.

It's funny bringing her hairstyle into it, since that's just a popular style from that time period (an Italian style, I believe). It's also funny how you made it sound like Rock Hudson's real life sexual preference was based on how Jane Wyman looked while she played a fictional character in this film

My opinion is that Wyman is cute as a button. I never liked her until a few years ago and even when I wasn't a fan I could see she was blessed in the looks department. You should check out her earlier films when she had other hairstyles. She was adorable.

[–] Nemesis7293-1 11 years ago

That Jane Wyman was quite beautiful is a fact and, therefore, not debatable. That you are a ragingly shallow and tasteless cretin, as well as a despicable homophobe is also a fact and beyond debate. Please refrain from reproducing...ever.

[–] EllisFowler 10 years ago

That Jane Wyman was quite beautiful is a fact and, therefore, not debatable.

A fact? Good grief! That she's not deformed and a woman are facts. What people find appealing, on the other hand, is subjective and hence very much debatable.

One thing that leaves me scratching my head is the repeated reference to Wyman's character as "that girl." There's no way she looks anything other than a well-preserved pushing 40. Her stepdaughter, yes, but she only merits one "girl."

[–] alisotom 11 years ago

LOL---i whole-heartedly agree!!! Her mediocre acting is overshadowed by her god-awful hairdo!!!

[–] franzkabuki 10 years ago

Yeah I guess the romance woulda worked better had Hudson been the one that goes blind midway through and then starts to fall in love with Wyman.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] EllisFowler 10 years ago

ROTFLMAO
An interesting turnabout, to be sure!

[–] King_Of_Fuh 10 years ago

Why, man? Why you be so mean? JW was less attractive as she got older, no surprise there, but see Johnny Belinda for a beautiful JW. Co-star Barbara Rush also lost her looks by the time she was in her farties. Even Joan Crawford was a knockout in the 20s and 30s. Ava was one of the all-time most beautiful but by her farties she had lost much of her incredible beauty.

[–] hilljayne 10 years ago

Her character in the movie was beautiful on the inside, and that is what he was drawn to.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

[–] King_Of_Fuh 10 years ago

Maybe, but the guilt pushed him in her direction.

[–] apriceaboverubies29 10 years ago

The most beautiful thing about Wyman - her voice which was soft and mellow.

"The flip side of fear is understanding."