Barbara Stanwyck was not a classic beauty, but her personality and talent enabled her easily to slip into the role of sexy gun-moll (Ball of Fire), entrancing con-artist (The Lady Eve), or seductive murderess (Double Indemnity). She was one of the smartest, hardest-working, and best-liked actresses in Hollywood, with a career that spanned some sixty years.
Don’t miss Seraphic Secret’s fine tribute to this wonderful actress.
Fiery redhead Maureen O’Hara was born in Ireland in 1920, and became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 1946. She worked with many fine actors, but, in my opinion, her best performances were those in which she played the (invariably) hot-tempered wife of John Wayne in movies such as The Quiet Man, Red River and McClintock! - although she was also unforgettable as the gypsy girl in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and as the Macy’s employee and cynical divorcee in Miracle on 34th Street.
Lovely, and tragic, Gail Russell died young (age 37) from the alcoholism that grew upon her as she began drinking, early in her career, to help her overcome her extreme stage fright. Her big, beautiful eyes conveyed a vulnerability on screen that was, indeed, only too real. She starred with John Wayne in Angel and the Badman, and with Ray Milland in what I have always considered to be one of the greatest haunted house movies of all time, The Uninvited.
Rule 5 Update: Three Beers Later has a video demonstrating reason #75 why I don't like cats (meddlesome, officious little beasts!)
Oh Paco.....I've always admired your taste in women, only second to one!
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