Underrated actress
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Martinipink — 14 years ago(August 11, 2011 09:24 AM)
She was insecure about her acting and never thought of herself as a great actress, which is too bad because she was talented and could have done more if she allowed herself to believe in her ability. Maybe it had something to do with being put on contract for her looks. She was at MGM for a while before she got any roles, they used her as a sort of pin-up girl for a while. I also get the impression from her biographies that she was happy with her career the way it was and didn't really aspire to be a huge star. She was from very humble beginnings and had enough success to be comfortable, so maybe that was enough for her. I know what you mean though, I love her & wish there were just MORE of her movies to enjoy!
Laissez les bons temps rouler! -
AliciaHuberman59 — 9 years ago(April 12, 2016 09:00 AM)
She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in "Mogambo". By BAFTA for "On the Beach", "The Night of Iguana" and "Bhowani Junction" and for a Golden Globe for "The Night of the Iguana". She was quoted as saying that when she was in love, she didn't work. Years later, it was for "the loot". In later years, she admitted that she never took herself as seriously as an actress as she should have, mostly out of a lack of self-confidence.
"No, I don't like to cook, but I have a chicken in the icebox, and you're eating it." -
taipei25 — 14 years ago(September 07, 2011 09:38 PM)
I blame Artie Shaw a lot for destroying any self esteem she had about being a real actress with real talent. He kept on her with his criticism and making her believe she was never more than a tobacco farm girl. It is also not like Frank Sinatra ever tried to support her as a gifted actress. He just wanted her at his beck and call and help fix his insecurities all the time.
I don't believe critics ever really gave her a hard time with her work. She was very good early on with Showboat. But Artie Shaw did a number on her and Sinatra couldn't have cared less. -
AliciaHuberman59 — 14 years ago(September 16, 2011 02:16 PM)
I agree with you about Shaw doing a number on her self-esteem, but she managed to perform her break-out role as "Kitty Collins" in "The Killers" while married to him.
Yeah, Frank wanted her at his beck and call, etc. I remember reading, though, that she was once quoted as saying that when she was in love, she didn't want to workthat might explain the dearth of movies!
She was great in "The Night of the Iguana". She totally trusted Huston and thus gave him "body and soul" (per her memoir). -