Helen Walker

[phil noir]

I've recently seen this actress in three films, and was quite struck by her - especially as I'd never heard of her before this year.

First, I saw her in Call Northside 777 (1948), where she was the supportive wife of James Stewart's crusading journalist - not a particularly interesting role, but she played it well.

Then by way of contrast, I spotted her in Cluny Brown (1946), where she played an upper class English woman - poised and amused by the attentions of Charles Boyer and Peter Lawford.

Finally, she was Tyrone Power's nemesis - a ruthless, amoral psychoanalyst - in Nightmare Alley (1947).

I find her a very interesting presence, based on these three films alone: wry, intelligent and cool.

When I looked into her career, it petered out shortly after Northside - she had a serious traffice accident in late 1946, after having picked up three hitchhiking servicemen - one of whom was killled in the accident. The survivors accused her of having been drunk at the wheel. In the fifties, she had a few minor roles and did a bit of television. She died very young in 1968, of cancer.

Has anyone else come across her? Any recommendations for other films featuring her to seek out?

[srowley75]

Sorry I can't recommend any other films (at least not off the top of my head), but I have to say I found her delightful in Cluny Brown. Love that scene where she's in the bedroom screaming because Charles Boyer won't leave.

The more I watch and rewatch Lubitsch's films, the sadder I am that he couldn't go on making movies forever.