MovieChat Forums > A Kiss Before Dying (1956) Discussion > Virginia Leith/Sean Young similarities

Virginia Leith/Sean Young similarities

posted 12 years ago by usc_rick
4 replies | jump to latest

Today, I happened across a 1956 test pilot movie ("Toward The Unknown") starring William Holden, with Virginia Leith playing the romantic lead. I had never seen her before (that I am aware of), and thought she was rather unconventionally beautiful, with an unusually sexy speaking voice. After some thought, I realized her voice was a dead ringer (at least in my opinion) for Sean Young's.

I came to IMDB to see if there was any kind of familial relationship (there wasn't), but I was surprised to see they played the same role(s) in "A Kiss Before Dying". I was just wondering if anyone else picked up on the similarity, and also, was there any acknowledgement of the similarity from the producers of the sequel, regarding the casting of Sean Young?

[–] paulbrr12 12 years ago

Well I just finished watching Fear and Desire that TCM had the rights to show and was totally mesmerized by Virginia in this. And yes, that is very interesting about the two Kiss Before Dying's, one with Virginia and then 30? years later with her lookalike Sean Young. The producers of the 2nd version HAD to be aware of this. Can't be just a coincidence. I hope you saw Fear and Desire because Virginia is just meltingly beautiful in it. I wish I could see Toward The Unknown. I'd love to hear that 'unusually sexy speaking voice'. I'm sure her voice is dubbed by another woman in The Brain That Wouldn't Die.

[–] paulbrr12 12 years ago

I forgot to add that she does not speak in Fear and Desire

[–] dtlane59 11 years ago

OMG- I am watching A Kiss Before Dying on TCM right now and I totally noticed how Virginia and Sean sound just alike. I wonder if Sean's voice is how she sealed the deal on getting the part in the remake?

[–] coldnaps 9 years ago

Both if them also cannot really act, so there's that similarity as well