MovieChat Forums > Return to Peyton Place (1961) Discussion > MARY ASTOR

MARY ASTOR

posted 18 years ago by Harold_Robbins
12 replies | jump to latest

Interesting to read through the reviews here and see how strongly Mary Astor clicked with so many viewers.

Astor began her film career as a beautiful teenager opposite John Barrymore in the mid-1920s and when sound came in she developed into a fine actress, memorable opposite Gable in RED DUST (1932) and in films such as DODSWORTH (1936). Her last major leading role was as the deceitful Brigid O'Shaughnessy in THE MALTESE FALCON (1941), but rather than the Best Actress Oscar Nomination she should have received, she was nominated for - and won - Best Supporting Actress for THE GREAT LIE in which she and Bette Davis had a grand time (she said that Davis handed her the film on a silver platter) - she herself the award should have been for Brigid. Shortly after the Oscar she signed with MGM, whcih turned out to be something of a mistake, as they definitely considered her "supporting" and moved her into supporting or character roles (such as Judy Garland's mother in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS). She's excellent in a film noir thriller from 1949 directed by Fred Zinnemann, ACT OF VIOLENCE, as a faded prostitute who tries to help Van Heflin.

What makes Astor's performance as self-righteous Mrs. Carter all the more interesting is that Astor's off-screen life was often turbulent, riddled with affairs, multiple marriages, and alcoholism, including a messy divorce/custody battle during which her supposed diary came to light, with intimate details about Astor's love-life and lovers, including playwright George S. Kaufman. Undoubtedly all of these things add shading and color to Astor's performance. She's also a pleasure to watch in her final film appearance as Jewel Mayhew in HUSH...HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964) - she has two scenes and makes the most of both.

"...don't let's ask for the moon - we have the stars!"

[–] amiNotAwake 18 years ago

Mary Astor was basically the only thing that made this movie worth watching. Thank You for your account of her career. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“I can't drive a stolen car! “
-“Why? …Same principle… four gears forward, one reverse.”

[–] moliz01 17 years ago

Thanks, Harold.
I have always been a fan of Astor's. In another reply on the subject of "Return to Peyton Place". I was going to mention her performance in "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte". She was equally impressive in her small parts in that film, also.

[–] phillindholm 17 years ago

She is the BEST thing about ''Return To Peyton Place''. Without her, it's pretty worthless.

[–] edh512 17 years ago

The only reason to watch this movie.....Mary Astor. From what I've read, acting was a job to her, nothing more. She did her job and did it well.

[–] Harold_Robbins 16 years ago

I'm getting old - I started reading the responses to the O.P. and was going to respond myself - then I saw that I was the O.P.!!!!

Well, I'm watching the film again after many years, enjoying Astor all over again. Not a bad film, but it's not PEYTON PLACE, of course - mostly it's a thinly-disguised account of how Grace Metalious's PEYTON PLACE success affected her life - the people in the town she lived in were not thrilled with her!

"Stone-cold sober I find myself absolutely fascinating!"---Katharine Hepburn

[–] Doctor_Mabuse1 15 years ago

I love this movie in general, warts and all, but I agree that Mary Astor is extraordinary in it. I'd go so far as to say I find this characterization at least as strong as her signature performances in The Maltese Falcon (1941) and her Oscar-winning turn in The Great Lie which she stole out from under that powerhouse, Bette Davis at her peak! She certainly is the best thing in Return to Peyton Place. Astor transcends the film and makes it a must-see.

[–] mojo2004 11 years ago

I'm getting old - I started reading the responses to the O.P. and was going to respond myself - then I saw that I was the O.P.!!!!

The film was on again today. This is an old thread but I had to respond "Harold_Robbins", because I've done this too!!

I've read about Mary Astor's life and you're right. Watching her in many roles and knowing about her private life was very interesting. She had a very versatile career. I enjoy all her many films especially 'Dodsworth'. I own the tape and still watch it every time TCM airs it which was twice this month!

Sheldon:"Was the starfish wearing boxer shorts? Because you might have been watching Nickelodeon."

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] moonbeam195 9 years ago

Mary Astor, stole the film. she even made me afraid of her. she and jeff Chandler were the reasons i stayed glued to the film.

[–] moonbeam195 9 years ago

Mary Astor, stole the film. she even made me afraid of her. she and jeff Chandler were the reasons i stayed glued to the film.

[–] PrometheusTree64 9 years ago

I've always wanted to see a movie in which Mary Astor and Dame Judith Anderson were sisters who go after each other with a carving knife. But with class.

Throw in Gloria Swanson and Miriam Hopkins, with a special guest appearance from La Crawford, and you've got a movie.

Smells like.... 1964.

--

The most profound of sin is tragedy unremembered.

[–] bluedionysus 7 years ago

Just chiming in to say: Mary Astor was an outstanding, now unfairly forgotten actress of her time. This, and her Academy Award-winning supporting role in THE GREAT LIE, are as good as a movie performance ever gets. And, need we mention RED DUST; THE HURRICANE; THE MALTESE FALCON; THE PALM BEACH STORY; ACROSS THE PACIFIC; MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS; ACT OF VIOLENCE; HUSH... HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, and many other lesser-known titles? Only wish we could all see CONVENTION CITY... a now seemingly forever-lost picture.