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Post by topbilled on Apr 22, 2023 16:47:14 GMT
This was my grandmother's favorite film, and I do agree that it's one of the best in the RKO catalogue.
Irene Dunne was nominated five times for a Best Actress Oscar and never took the trophy home. This was her fifth and final turn at bat. She was up against Olivia de Havilland for THE SNAKE PIT; Barbara Stanwyck for SORRY WRONG NUMBER; Ingrid Bergman for JOAN OF ARC; and Jane Wyman for JOHNNY BELINDA (the winner).
What do you think? Do you agree that this is a good choice to watch on Mother's Day?
I will pour you a cup of coffee while you consider your answer...
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Post by kims on May 5, 2023 0:10:37 GMT
I watch it whenever it airs. Irene also the Mother in LIFE WITH FATHER. Both those I classify as the sentimental choices. The tearjerker choices are TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and STEEL MAGNOLIAS. MILDRED PIERCE fits in there.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, the 50's LITTLE WOMEN, and LISTEN DARLING give Mary Astor good films as Mother.
For the bad side of Mother-how about Bette in THE LITTLE FOXES?
It's too bad that in the studio era if an actor or actress played a parent they fell back to supporting cast. Maybe there weren't many script ideas for the parents to be a leading character.
Father's Day has to be tougher-THE YEARLING, LIFE WITH FATHER; CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN shows up. PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION I'd like to air more often.
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Post by topbilled on May 5, 2023 22:07:21 GMT
I agree that Mary Astor also did a fine job in mother-type roles.
She's charming as Jackie Cooper's mom in DINKY (1935). And she pulls out all the stops as a mother from hell in RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE (1961)
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Post by I Love Melvin on May 5, 2023 23:16:13 GMT
Probably Irene Dunne because the movie is so focused on her character and the title even has "Mama" in it. Mary Astor was part of a bigger ensemble in the movies mentioned but, boy, did she capture everything you'd want a mother to be in those roles. I have another in mind as well, despite the fact that the life she is forced to lead brings her into some disrepute: Marlene Dietrich as Dickie Moore's mother in Blonde Venus (1932) . All of her waywardness comes from a single-minded desire to get money for a crucial operation for her husband, and later to protect her young son by going on the run with him. It all comes from her selflessness and good nature., despite the questionable morality of what she allows herself to do on her family's behalf.  For Father's Day I'd nominate To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), with Gregory Peck as the rock solid Atticus Finch.  |
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