jean simmons alert

[moira finnie]

An alternative view: Having watched A BULLET IS WAITING a few months ago, I found the the weakest part to be...Jean Simmons. Never buy her performances, except for ANGEL FACE. A role as St. Joan I might buy...but the real post-1929 Jean as Joan (Seberg and d'Arc, respectively) is tough to follow.

To each his own.

I like Seberg's Joan too.

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Moira, did I completely forget to mention that Jean's bravura performance in Young Bess inspired my "mission" to the UK. I have always read every tome dedicated to biographizing Elizabeth I, and part of that interest stems from Jean's interpretation of Elizabeth. Not to mention her dashing husband Stewart Granger as Tom Seymore.

So I made it a bucket list requirement in July of 2006 to visit Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, and I so dearly loved that place--the old palace, the dining hall where Elizabeth I held her first council meeting, and the accession oak...this England....aahh....

[moira finnie]

Oh, Christy, you make the hair on the back of my neck stand up, mentioning that you've been where Young Bess walked! I like that beautifully made film too, especially the scenes when Elizabeth echoes her father and when Tom realizes the depth of her feelings on the ride home from the palace in the barge--even if he can't see his own emotions.

That movie is probably responsible for many people going to Britain at one time or another.

[Vecchiolarry]

Hi Christie & Moira,

This movie got me interested in Elizabeth, Henry and Anne Boleyn. I remember very well when it first came out and the big premier it had...

Notice especially at the end, when she walks out to be greeted by the people - the shadow on the wall grows very large. This was fine artisty in movies.

Also, don't miss my darling, Elaine Stewart, as Anne Boleyn... She enjoyed Charles Laughton calling him "Hubby" on the set; and was a friend of Jean Simmons for years.
She joked to me and her kids years later that it was becoming tiresome to have to sew her head back on every morning!!!

Larry

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Cute, Larry!

Moira, I so loved the story, the colors, and the fashions...Cecil Kellaway was also a delight in this one as Thomas Parry. I used to date a fellow that looked just like the actor who played "Ned" Seymour....don't know if that is a coincidence or not...but I thoroughly enjoyed lusty Stewart Granger.

How could you be fourteen and not be swept up into his arms and swoon??

But some of the historical facts are much more sordid...like Katharine Parr holding down Elizabeth while Tom Seymour snipped one of her dresses to "ribbons!"