MovieChat Forums > McLintock! (1963) Discussion > Yvonne vs Maureen--or both!

Yvonne vs Maureen--or both!

posted 17 years ago by buxtehude99
13 replies | jump to latest

Since the death of Yvonne De Carlo, announced today, I've been thinking about the last time I saw this movie.
I was stuck by the beauty of the Mrs Warren character, and how good an actress she was, and couldn't for the life of me identify her. After about ten minutes it came to me, "OH, Yvonne De Carlo!!".
Now I've been in love with Maureen O'Hara forever, especially when John Wayne chases her around in her unmentionables (oh baby!), but Yvonne De Carlo absolutely held her own. In fact, you find yourself thinking that if Mrs. Mclintock takes off, GW could do much worse than to take up with Mrs Warren (sorry Maureen, I didn't mean it).
Yes, a silly movie, but that's why Howard Johnson made 29 flavors. Sometimes you like chocolate, and sometimes you like vanilla.

[–] cmward1988 17 years ago

I've always loved Yvonne De Carlo in the the role of Mrs. Warren in this movie. I thought she was just so beautiful and charming . . . and then I wonder every time I see her (in this movie): Why, oh, WHY did you take that horrible role of LILY MUNSTER?!?!?!?! Even in black and white, you could tell the make-up job is simply AWFUL, completely covering up - and therefore spoiling - her lovely face!!!!! Yes, yes, I know: in the role she was playing, she was the daughter of a vampire and wasn't SUPPOSED to be beautiful, excuse me, "ugly", like her niece, Marilyn. But still! I'm sure she's got a lot of movies, etc., to her acting credits but will anyone ever remember her in ANY role other than Lily Munster?!?!?!? It just doesn't seem fair for such a talented actress such as Ms. De Carlo.

P.S.: While I really like Yvonne in the role of Mrs. Warren, I love Maureen O'Hara as the "petulant" Katie (according to daughter Becky) the best!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Fand_ango 17 years ago

Good lookin' red head with an attitude... what could be better?

[–] dadoo4050 17 years ago

QUOTE: Good lookin' red head with an attitude... what could be better?

I'm with you there. Been married to two good lookin' red heads and they both definitly have attitude!

Now, as far as the topic of this thread: "Yvonne vs Maureen--or both!"

I gotta say that if Maureen's character had been drunk as well, during the falling-down-the-stairs-scene, GW might have scored an awsome threesome!

"Dadoo4050: and who, disguised as a mild-mannered schoolteacher. . ."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] doobienick 11 years ago

Both, no doubt. Both beautiful, stunning women. I have a thing for redheads but I sure do like DeCarlo too.

I spend my money on dope, sex and cheap thrills.
The rest of it, I waste.

[–] Captain_Augustus_McCrae 10 years ago

And Miss De Carlo was about 40 when this film was shot. To my eye she looked a decade younger.

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, it's LIVING!"
Captain Augustus McCrae

[–] kenny-164 10 years ago

While I happen to think Maureen O'Hara is one of the most beautiful women of the 20th Century (at least when she was a bit younger than here), yes, Yvonne DeCarlo is stunning in this film, especially for her age. Great casting.

[–] curlew-2 10 years ago

Yvonne De Carlo looked rather scrumptious in the film. Small wonder the Sheriff up and married her.

"I'm not reckless . . . I'm skillful!"

[–] jvanderwalt5 9 years ago

I love maureen o hara more she was a lovely actres.

[–] photoe 9 years ago

The arc of Yvonne DeCarlo's character is expertly written, although also predictable. It shows the writing standards that Hollywood still had at the time. She is introduced as a possible replacement for Maureen O'hara, but also used in a way to make Mrs McClintock jealous. She gives John Wayne some openings, but if you watch the film in retrospect, you can see the Sheriff making a move early on at the dance, and eventually she ends up with him. In some ways, this also supports the American Dream of the Old West being a time of opportunity where a maid could get married and improve her station.
It wouldn't help DeCarlo's character to move on McClintock and disgrace herself to the town, and proves her character that she wants to help Mrs Mclintock realize she still cares about her husband. Their interaction is fantastic. These two smart actresses must've loved the lines they were given.