One of my favorite movies of all time and she and the Doctor own the film. She is gorgeous in many ways surpassing Elizabeth Taylor who I'm sure was nervous whenever Richard worked with Claire. Claire never had a weight problem that Elizabeth wrestled with most of her adult life. She did shamelessly steal The Haunting from top-billed Julie Harris who comes across as very mousy and whiny bordering on bitchy at times and just plain annoying. In contrast we're always drawn to Claire and never get enough. Of course Julie is likely playing Eleanor exactly as written - she is after all a supreme loser in the movie - but none the less she's annoying certainly at times. Besides Claire gets to wear the chic designs of Mary Quant as strong, independent Theodora while Julie wears Bargain Basement. Maybe I'm too harsh with Julie who is a fine actress but the contrast between the two women really is striking. I believe a great actors gift is to grab and hold the audiences attention each and every time she's on screen, as Garbo, Kate Hepburn, Joan Crawford and a few others do - Vivien Leigh perhaps. Claire Bloom simply refuses to let go of your attention in each film. It's a joy to watch her and I agree she is 100 % Brittish which adds to her charm.

I too loved her in "The Haunting". Both her looks and performance were superb.
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she had a very british attitude in the movie, lol. its one of the few movies ive seen her in, but she was very gorgeus. I loved the way women used to dress in those days.
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I absolutely loved her in this movie. i honestly think she stole the show. she was amazing to watch and she the way she handled her dialogue was beautiful. she said everything such wit and perfection.

I love Claire Bloom, but I don't think she was at her best in this movie. Theo is supposed to be a sort of cheap, vulgar American. She has very coarse American lines like, "I won fair and square, now pay up!" And she doesn't have that kind of brassy, in your face quality. On the other hand, she is so intensely beautiful that it literally hurts to watch her.
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I agree. Claire is amazing in this film. Did you see the hidden nude pic of her in the Haunting? See my recent post above.
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