Norma Shearer as Mrs. Miniver
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Mrs. Miniver
shopguyperry — 11 years ago(December 28, 2014 01:22 PM)
Norma apparently turned this down because she didn't want to play a mother. What a shame she made that decision either because she wasn't thinking clearly or because of her vanity. Most likely the latter. Whatever the reason I think Shearer would have been great in the role, possibly even better than Greer Garson had been. Norma excelled at these kinds of roles, not only was she a little more refined and elegant than Garson but she was also excellent at conveying so much emotion with just a look. This is one of those rare films that I can actually picture someone else in the title role other than the person who ended up doing it.
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herveywillets — 10 years ago(September 22, 2015 07:56 PM)
Norma Shearer must have objected to playing the mother of a full-grown sonShe had already played the mother of a pre-teen daughter in THE WOMEN.
I'm always willing to speculate on what other actors would have done with even iconic parts. I think that Shearer as Miniver would have been interesting, but not an improvement. And really, the movie needed at least one genuine Brit, especially as the emotional center. (or as emotional as proper English breeding would allow).