Was there ever a woman more beautiful? - To Catch a Thief (1955) Discussion

[–] jemaniac 15 years ago

He wanted Marilyn Monroe first. Fortunately, she wasn't willing to give up her career, plus she never would have married someone she didn't love.

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

That sort of takes a bit of the romance out of it. Wonder how proud the people of Monaco would have been of Princess Marilyn.

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[–] jemaniac 15 years ago

Why do you say that?

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

To me at least, Grace Kelly was not only stunning in her beauty but also seemed to have absolute class. A woman fit to be a princess. I haven't read into it much, but the fact that Ranier first had his eye on Monroe also takes away from the she-was-shooting-she-is-is-my princess scenario that I had at least built up in my mind. I thought the people of Monaco revered her over the next decades.

And much as I like Munroe, I don't see her as having the princess skill set. She is an absolutely, incredible woman but Princess just isn't how I picture her.

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[–] Ash-lee 15 years ago

The people of Monoco did love Princess Grace, but Rainier didn't. At least not at first - I do believe they grew to love each other over the years, considering how much he grieved after she died.

DOLLHOUSE Friday nights on Fox. The best show you're not watching.

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[–] geoffzman04 11 years ago

cynically speaking...she does behave rather like a 'princess'...so no doubt he thought she'd be suitable for his kingdom.

Unlike today's nouveau riche, then the well to do were highly educated, world savvy and presented a different picture.

in the case of Grace...she pulls it off the movie princess role with genuine and sincere self-belief, the same confidence she brought to the table as royalty.

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[–] norman-dostal 8 years ago

Yeah, you knew her...

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[–] ducdebrabant 15 years ago

In my opinion, yes. Check out Lana Turner in "Cass Timberlake," or Hedy Lamarr in "Come Live with Me," or Rita Hayworth in "Cover Girl." For that matter, nobody ever wondered how Ava Gardner in "Mogambo" could ever make Gable forget Kelly. But Kelly was extraordinarily lovely.

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. Gandhi.

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

I can see where you are with Hayworth, dont agree on Lamarr and now have to rent Cass Timberlake. Even if I don't agree vis a vis Kelly, I'm sure I will enjoy.

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[–] jaysgurl2000 15 years ago

I think Grace was much more beautiful than Marilyn. I think Vivien Leigh was the most beautiful at that time though.

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[–] turtletommy 15 years ago

Grace and Audrey Hepburn are way up there in my book- Audrey had a cuter personality. Monroe couldn't touch either in the looks department.

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[–] Ash-lee 15 years ago

I agree, I think Vivien Leigh was the most stunning woman to ever live, but Grace Kelly was a very close second (and the two of them are apples and oranges, since they are such different types of beauty).

DOLLHOUSE Friday nights on Fox. The best show you're not watching.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] msvickye 14 years ago

I've always thought Carole Lombard was very beautiful, and, tho she seems to be a bit forgotten today, Madeleine Carroll. She was breathtaking in "Lloyds of London" with Tyrone Power...and I mustn't forget Maureen O'Hara. She is still beautiful today. Who looks better in Technicolor? How lovely she is in "The Black Swan" (with Tyrone), "The Quiet Man," and "How Green Was My Valley."

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] gbromberg 15 years ago

Grace Kelly in Rear Window and To Catch A Thief was beyond beautiful. There are a couple of scenes in Rear Windown in which she is just above and beyond. Hitchcock (and Edith Head) did a wonderful job making her jump off the screen.

Here's my top 10 list in the spirit of the Subject title "Was there ever a woman more beatiful?"

10. Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday (Beautiful and funny)

9. Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity (Naturally beautiful)

8. Jean Arthur in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

7. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina

6. Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride (Those eyes)

5. Rita Hayworth in Only Angels Have Wings (Her role is small in that movie, but memorable)

4. Charlize Theron in The Cider House Rules (Very pretty)

3. Grace Kelly in Rear Window (The nightgown scene)

2. Eva Marie Saint in North By Northwest (That voice! Something about that voice!)

1. Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (Perfect)

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

Awesome list, but it's pretty light on more modern incarnations of beauty other other than Charlize Theron (but I do abdolutely agree with Hayworth in Angels Have Wings, which I just recently saw for the first time -- my guess is that Jean Arthur hated having her on the same screen).

Won't rank them, but here are a few to consider for your ranking:

Angelina in Gia
Catherine Zeta Jones in Zorro.
Heather Locklear in Dynasty.

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[–] PillowRock 15 years ago

but it's pretty light on more modern incarnations of beauty

On the other hand, I think that majority of such lists are severely overweighted toward recent people / movies.

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

On the other hand, I think that majority of such lists are severely overweighted toward recent people / movies.

And I would agree, but on that previous list the youngest of the undeniable beauties other than Theron is now in her late fifties. I was just offering some possibilities to balance that a bit.

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[–] PillowRock 15 years ago

9. Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity (Naturally beautiful)

That's not the movie that I would choose for Stanwyck, in terms of best showcasing her beauty. To my eye, the blond wig does not suit her well.

Maybe Ball of Fire?

7. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina
1. Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (Perfect)

Somehow it seems like cheating to use two spots on such a list for one woman, especially in consecutive movies so that your really only talking about a motter of months apart in the filming.

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[–] duesouth1420 14 years ago

That wig on Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity was AWFUL!

Interesting trivia from that movie:

"On viewing the film's rushes, production head Buddy G. DeSylva remarked of Barbara Stanwyck's blonde wig, "We hired Barbara Stanwyck, and here we get George Washington"!

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[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

"Grace Kelly in Rear Window and To Catch A Thief was beyond beautiful."

Couldn't agree more! She was an absolute knockout in those movies, defining the term starlet.

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[–] MajRusKitt 15 years ago

No woman was ever lovelier than Rita Hayworth in "Gilda". From facial perfection to the figure of a goddess, from her husky voice to her incredible dancing, from the heartbreak of those hurt eyes to the smoldering sensuality of her presence, we shall not see her like again. Grace was a mask, Rita was a woman with a capital "W" !!!!!!!!!!

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[–] Cindi14 15 years ago

Was there ever a woman more beautiful?
Yes. Elizabeth Taylor.
'Ho Kelly couldn't hold a candle.
(yes, I mean 'ho. She did all her leading men. Look it up)

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

so no she doesn't count since she's aged SO badly.

I'll still go with Grace, but we are talking a point in time...so exactly how Taylor aged shouldn't come into it.

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[–] joegerardi-1 8 years ago

Real late reply, but I gotta ask:
Are you a virgin?

Now consider how you got that way.

..Joe

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

Nope, I do not believe there was. There are several who were close though:

Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh jump to mind first.

Grace Kelly was just stunning.

She's my number one but, if we are going to throw in others, I add Rita Hayworth and Raquel Welch at their heights.

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[–] showmanjkb 14 years ago

I agree with Raquel Welch. Now she was a beautiful young woman. But Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly were also.

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[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 13 years ago

"'Ho Kelly couldn't hold a candle.
(yes, I mean 'ho. She did all her leading men. Look it up)"
________________________________________________________________________________

you may be right about that (but really, who cares?). What that has to do with her beauty is beyond me...besides, there was never a "dirtier 'ho" than Vivien Leigh. She was a manic-depressive (although I assume those of you Vivien fans know this) and used to just sleep with random men during her manic episodes. Almost took Olivier to the booby-hatch with her because of it too.

And those of you slighting Grace Kelly for her taste in men: Mike Todd and Liz Taylor weren't exactly "age appropriate" (as if there were such a thing). Lotsa judging going on here; I'd have thought the scandals were the fun part of it for fans.

And finally I'm gonna throw my two cents in: as far as the title of the thread...I get where you're coming from with Grace Kelly. I thought that myself when she came on screen in "To Catch A Thief". She's the most beautiful of her "type"; many different types in Hollywood, depends on your preference, of course. Personally, I'm a huge Carole Lombard fan; she truly had it all: humor, beauty, smarts (or so it seems from this distance; I didn't know her). But I truly think Hollywood sexuality peaked with Marilyn. The body combined with the face; never been a sexier woman. I'm not saying she was most beautiful facially, which is what the thread seems to mean, but for the whole package...Marilyn. Natalie Wood, later, possessed a beauty, facially, I find unsurpassed by other actresses (although if you wanna say Vivien Leigh and Olivia DeHavilland and, maybe, Liz Taylor were her equals, I won't argue). What about Joan Leslie? And, finally, whomever called Barbara Stanwyck ugly is out of his or her mind. Not a conventional/classic beauty, agreed, but incredibly sexy. The scene in "Hollywood Canteen" sums it up for me as far as Ms. Stanwyck is concerned. She seems totally unconcerned and not insulted at all when Slim expresses his preference for Joan Leslie. She seemed wholly at ease with who she was. And that's sexy. Plus, there's "Double Indemnity", blonde wig and all!

"How do you feel?"
"Like the Kling-Klang King of the Rim-Ram Room!"

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[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 13 years ago

"'Ho Kelly couldn't hold a candle.
(yes, I mean 'ho. She did all her leading men. Look it up)"
________________________________________________________________________________

you may be right about that (but really, who cares?). What that has to do with her beauty is beyond me...besides, there was never a "dirtier 'ho" than Vivien Leigh. She was a manic-depressive (although I assume those of you Vivien fans know this) and used to just sleep with random men during her manic episodes. Almost took Olivier to the booby-hatch with her because of it too.

And those of you slighting Grace Kelly for her taste in men: Mike Todd and Liz Taylor weren't exactly "age appropriate" (as if there were such a thing). Lotsa judging going on here; I'd have thought the scandals were the fun part of it for fans.

And finally I'm gonna throw my two cents in: as far as the title of the thread...I get where you're coming from with Grace Kelly. I thought that myself when she came on screen in "To Catch A Thief". She's the most beautiful of her "type"; many different types in Hollywood, depends on your preference, of course. Personally, I'm a huge Carole Lombard fan; she truly had it all: humor, beauty, smarts (or so it seems from this distance; I didn't know her). But I truly think Hollywood sexuality peaked with Marilyn. The body combined with the face; never been a sexier woman. I'm not saying she was most beautiful facially, which is what the thread seems to mean, but for the whole package...Marilyn. Natalie Wood, later, possessed a beauty, facially, I find unsurpassed by other actresses (although if you wanna say Vivien Leigh and Olivia DeHavilland and, maybe, Liz Taylor were her equals, I won't argue). What about Joan Leslie? And, finally, whomever called Barbara Stanwyck ugly is out of his or her mind. Not a conventional/classic beauty, agreed, but incredibly sexy. The scene in "Hollywood Canteen" sums it up for me as far as Ms. Stanwyck is concerned. She seems totally unconcerned and not insulted at all when Slim expresses his preference for Joan Leslie. She seemed wholly at ease with who she was. And that's sexy. Plus, there's "Double Indemnity", blonde wig and all!

"How do you feel?"
"Like the Kling-Klang King of the Rim-Ram Room!"

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[–] Rukkilill 14 years ago

Gene Tierney! What a beauty!

I`m the cat who walks alone & all places are alike to me!

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[–] lewiskendell 14 years ago

I've yet to see a classic actress that can compare to Grace (admittedly, I've only begun to get into classic films in the last year). She's so beautiful that you miss her when she's not on screen, and look forward to the next scene that she'll be appearing in. I can only imagine what it would have been like to see her in person.

Movies I've seen in 2010: http://www.flixster.com/movie-list/2010-movies-6

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

I've yet to see a classic actress that can compare to Grace (admittedly, I've only begun to get into classic films in the last year). She's so beautiful that you miss her when she's not on screen, and look forward to the next scene that she'll be appearing in. I can only imagine what it would have been like to see her in person.

That is a great way to put it. You do wait for her next seen.

And unlike some other classic movie actresses -- Jayne Mansfield comes to mind -- she doesn't have a "that is 50's beautiful" look or attitude to her. She could compete with Charlize Theron to star in the next major picture.

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[–] lewiskendell 14 years ago

I could definitely see her as a contemporary actress in the vein of Charlize Theron or Naomi Watts.

Movies I've seen in 2010: http://www.flixster.com/movie-list/2010-movies-6

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

I didn't realize Jane Mansfield was a classic film actress. (-:

I've heard mentioned more than once about Theron having old-time Movie Star looks and I agree, she has a timeless quality about her looks.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

I didn't realize Jane Mansfield was a classic film actress. (-:

turtletommy...that was a bit cheap. You knew that I meant the "classic time period." I was actually excluding Mansfield.

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

I had a smiley after it, just a cheap laugh. I guess I didn't know what you meant when I posted that.

Weird that I've seen Gene Tierney in LAURA but for whatever reason (maybe temporary blindness) she didn't make a huge impression on me. But I caught her in SUNDOWN recently on TCM. The film has some interesting and striking images not the least involving Ms. Tierney. Some top-notch talent involved (director Hathaway, cinematographer Lang, and Rosza doing the score) -not a great film by any means. For being top-billed Tierney doesn't get enough screen time. I see what all the fuss was about with her beauty. Maybe not quite in Tierney's league but I've had a crush on Maureen O'Sullivan (Jane in the Tarzan films).

I have never warmed up to Liz Taylor whom I think is one of the most over-hyped beauties ever. If she or her make-up people had just toned that down a little it would have helped a lot. I'm talking about from her early 20s onward.

Caught Ava Gardner in SHOWBOAT and MOGAMBO and she was a great beauty. Great personality as well, very vivacious & spirited. Completely blew Grace Kelly out of the water in that regard, but Kelly is near the top of the list of most beautiful.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

Some good ones there (although I admit Gene Tierney is not one I've see much).

Another of those 50's types that wouldn't stand up as well today -- Gina Lollobrigida.

And a slightly later one who would -- Jean Simmons

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

Tierney didn't get the greatest support from her studio, she was in a lot of forgettable movies. Her private life was kind of tragic as well. I thought Simmons looked best in THE BIG COUNTRY, not quite as appealing in SPARTACUS. Haven't seen any Lollobrigida films. Never have warmed up to her countrymate Sophia Loren. More beauties are Debra Paget and Anne Baxter. She's really cute-looking in Wellman's YELLOW SKY opposite Gregory Peck.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

I haven't seen paget or Baxter, but sounds like I should keep my eye out.

A little later, but one I never understood not becoming a serious star was Katharine Ross.

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

Paget is cuter and had quite the figure- she was quite fetching in The Ten Commandments. Baxter played opposite Yul Brynner as Nefertiti in the same film. Katherine Ross was a looker in her day but she didn't seem to me to have a lot of acting range and/or a standout or unique personality onscreen so not too surprising that she didn't become a really big star. But she was in two of the bigger films of the 60s, The Graduate and Butch Cassidy.

All I have to say is after seeing Gene Tierney in Sundown (1941) I'm now her #1 fan. Strikingly beautiful. Found out that she was originally going to star in National Velvet- the role that eventually went to a young gal named Elizabeth Taylor. Later she was to co-star in Mogambo with Gable and Ava Gardner but Grace Kelly eventually got the part. There's a recurring theme here, due to a number of circumstances in her life Tierney missed out on some plum roles, and look at the beautiful women she was being included in the mix with.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

Gene Tierney goes on the to see list. Another one I'd heard of and seen pictures of but who I'd never seen a movie until recently was Rita Hayworth. That was on suggestion from a person on this very thread and boy was it a good one. Now that's timeless beauty.

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

Oh yeah Hayworth was no slouch, I haven't seen any of her films, just photos. Hedy Lamarr was a beauty too but I think Tierney has both beat. I just saw Anne Baxter again in the western Yellow Sky (with Gregory Peck) and while attractive enough I overstated her looks, so nevermind! Lol.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

The only movie I saw Hayworth in was Only Angels Have Wings starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur. It is a bit dated, but a good enough a watch.

Hayworth was about 30 at the time. When she came on screen in her supporting role a bit of the way in, I literally couldn't take my eyes off her.

She was so OOMPH that I actually felt bad for Jean Arthur for playing the romantic lead in the same movie with her.

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

Yeah Hayworth had more ba-boom than Jean Arthur, though Arthur was pretty attractive too and I liked her voice- some don't. Oh my I'm finding more likely candidates for turtletommy's beauty hall of fame- just caught Jeanne Crain in Leave Her to Heaven co-starring with Ms. Tierney. She was very appealing in that role, helped especially by playing the more sympathetic character compared to the bitchy neurotic Tierney. But Gene wasn't too overshadowed and had a nice swimsuit scene or two. I must say that Tierney can look very different facially depending on the camera angle and whether her face is animated (smiling etc) or not. I see that this characteristic has been noted by others interestingly. Anyway supposedly Crain looks her best in Leave Her to Heaven and State Fair opposite Dana Andrews.

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[–] jstang411 14 years ago

Maybe I haven't seen enough of her films, but I am thinking that Jean Arthur was that age's equivalent of Goldie Hawn.

I should add in the caveat that Goldie Hawn was (and is still) actually stunning, but they seemed to downplay that in many of her pictures because you were supposed to love her for her personality rather than her looks.

And that aspect goes to Arthur's quirky cute voice.

And that different angle part goes right to models. Many of the top ones have one or two that look amazing, but when you see them interviewed on camera you can't help but think "is that the same person"?

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[–] turtletommy 14 years ago

I've now looked through scads of photos and screen captures of Tierney, as well as seen several of her movies and she has an amazing knack of being able to look so different from shot to shot, which mostly doesn't have a negative affect to her looks whatsoever. It's just that there can be so many "faces" to this woman, as has been noted I see over at the Tierney board. I'm not crazy for her open-mouthed smile and what it does to her face at times. To me she looks better with a closed mouth either with a smile on it or a more neutral or serious/pouty look. Mostly she can look so dang beautiful with almost perfect features.

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[–] jstang411 13 years ago

Gonna have to check out some Tierney flcks. Do you (or anyone) have suggestions on the best ones?

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[–] turtletommy 13 years ago

UPDATED. She is good in the camp-ish, melodramatic LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (color) which is among her best films and roles. Jean Crain is equally beautiful in the more sympathetic role. I first saw Gene in SUNDOWN (B&W) in which she doesn't appear much although top-billed (!) but when she does, oh my- like right away in the film's first few minutes. The movie is okay, I like the scenics & atmosphere. THUNDER BIRDS (color) is worth it basically for some stunning shots of her, and bi-planes in flight. THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES (B&W) was her first film, decent film w/ Henry Fonda but she is strictly eye candy in it. THE GHOST AND MRS MUIR (color), she looks great and is very sweet in it. Rex Harrison is very good as well and I generally don't care for him that much- but he's outstanding in this. It's a good film, and the always reliable cad George Sanders adds to the mix. LAURA (B&W) is a film-noir classic and probably her best-known film but I didn't really like it that much and she's too blah in the title role. THE RAZOR'S EDGE (B&W) I have yet to see, it's supposedly pretty good.

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[–] jstang411 13 years ago

She is good in the camp-ish, melodramatic LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (color) which is among her best films and roles. Jean Crain is equally beautiful in the more sympathetic role. I first saw Gene in SUNDOWN (B&W) in which she doesn't appear much although top-billed (!) but when she does, oh my- like right away in the film's first few minutes. The movie is okay, I like the scenics & atmosphere. THUNDER BIRDS (color) is worth it basically for some stunning shots of her, and bi-planes in flight. THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES (B&W) was her first film, decent film w/ Henry Fonda but she is strictly eye candy in it. THE GHOST AND MRS MUIR (color) I haven't seen yet but it's supposed to be one of her best roles/films. LAURA (B&W) is a film-noir classic and probably her best-known film but I didn't really like it that much and she's too blah in the title role. THE RAZER'S EDGE (B&W) I have yet to see, it's supposedly pretty good.

Much thanks for all the suggestions. Think I'll start by putting Ghost and Mrs. Muir on my Netflicks list. I watched the TV show as a child but never saw the original....so that'll be 2 birds with one stone...errr...DVD.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] justaudrey 13 years ago

Tierney also looks gorgeous in the entertaining (but light) comedy THE MATING SEASON (1951). It also stars John Lund (not a fan), Miriam Hopkins, and Thelma Ritter (hilarious as always). It is also notable because Tierney's husband at the time, famed designer Oleg Cassini, did all of her clothes for the film.

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