MovieChat Forums > Designing Woman (1957) Discussion > Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly?

Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly?

posted 19 years ago by s007davis
9 replies | jump to latest

I think DESIGNING WOMAN is a classic comedy for Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall.
Does anyone think it would have been as good with Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly? Personally speaking, I thought the scene involving Peck and Dolores Gray at the restaurant was hilarious, partly because it was so surprising to see the usual stalwart and serious Peck do such a funny, slapstick scene. As great as Stewart was, audiences were more used to seeing him in comic roles so I don't think it would have been as funny. Lauren Bacall had one of her best roles as Marilla but the idea of a Grace Kelly/Gregory Peck pairing is an interesting one.

[–] BlueGreen 18 years ago

I can imagine Grace Kelly in Marilla's role, but James Stewart doesn't strike me as too appropriate for this particular film and combination (with Kelly). Of course I may be wrong and they would have been wonderful. Still, I am rather glad that they chose Peck and Bacall.

P.S. Peck's reaction to the plateful of pasta in his lap was EXQUISITE. :)

[–] csu16387 16 years ago

Yes. Seeing the movie again, I thought about Jimmy Stewart in the lead. This could have been a nice reunion with Stewart and Grace Kelly.

Gregory Peck's OK here, and the pasta in his lap is one of my favorite moments from his career, but he's not quite suited for comedy (except for Roman Holiday). Lauren Bacall was a real treat in a fine comedic performance.

"Watch me run a 50-yard dash with my legs cut off!"

[–] hobnob53 15 years ago

The reason this film works as well as it does is precisely because Greg Peck is not associated with comedy. Being cast in a genre he seldom worked in helps make this movie something special -- and makes Peck uproariously funny.

He's also a far better co-star for Lauren Bacall than Stewart ever would have been. As a couple, Stewart/Bacall would have had no screen chemistry, I think. Stewart was a terrific actor but as the OP said he was so often seen in comedy that there would have been nothing special about this film, had he been cast in it. Besides, he was too old for, and a bit unsuited to, the character.

Grace Kelly would have been good but Bacall's stylishness and sultry looks I think worked much better for her character than Grace's regal beauty would have. Besides, while we're talking about comedy backgrounds, Grace Kelly was not noted for being a comedic actress (though she did well in her few comic scenes in High Society, for example). Neither was Bacall, but she had a sharp wit and caustic turn that not only fit her character but made her a good comic foil.

[–] paperstreetpress 14 years ago

I agree that the comedy wouldn't have worked as well if Peck hadn't been cast. The scene where Peck mimics Randy Owen (the choreographer) and then gets caught by Mr. Owen was hilarious. Peck's discomfort at being offered to have his ears beaten off--a classic.

[–] idcook 14 years ago

I wonder if the inspiration for this idea might’ve been your notice of Tom Helmore; who played Gavin Elster, Stewart’s nemesis in Vertigo; here in the role of Zachary Wilde?

“Your thinking is untidy, like most so-called thinking today.” (Murder, My Sweet)

[–] zuzupetal_99 14 years ago

I just watched this today & knew nothing about it going in - what's funny is that while watching it, I found myself wondering how Jimmy Stewart would've been in it. I get what you all are saying about the film being special b/c we get to see Peck in a comedy, and he did have his moments. And I do like him & his films, but he is very wooden. And that may work for his character, but I like seeing Jimmy Stewart's reactions - just look at Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation or Bell, Book, and Candle - he's got great faces and even though he was no stranger to comedy, I still believe he would've been funny in this movie. As far as chemistry - I can't think of a movie he's in where he doesn't have chemistry w/ the leading lady no matter how glamorous or beautiful - he certainly had it w/ Grace Kelly in Rear Window, and I would've liked to see him paired up w/ Bacall in this.

As far as the Gavin Elster guy - I recognized him immediately, and maybe subconsciously that's what made me think of Stewart. This is the only other movie I've seen him in besides Vertigo, but after Vertigo, he always comes off creepy to me!

"Are you going to your grave with unlived lives in your veins?" ~ The Good Girl

[–] bjelkier 10 years ago

TCM's Robert Osborne did an interview with Lauren Bacall. She said that Grace Kelly wanted to do this movie but she was going to marry the prince. Bacall said she got the movie, Kelly got the prince.

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

I think Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall are among the best dramatic actors that this nation has produced to date. This movie amply demonstrates why neither one of them made many comedies. In fact, I think this is the only romantic or other comedy that Gregory Peck was ever in. He and Lauren Bacall have little chemistry together. They make a good couple, but they seem very serious extending all the way to their genes. I don't mean that they cannot display a sense of humor, but I think that they cannot play farce and some of the scenes require it.

Jimmy Stewart and Gene Kelly would have done much better. Of course, Jimmy Stewart could never have been Atticus Finch and even though he was a bomber commander in real life, he could never have been General Frank Savage, either.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] liscarkat (16515) 2 years ago

"Jimmy Stewart and Gene Kelly would have done much better."

Then it would have been a gay romantic comedy.