Susan Hayward (June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975). After working as a fashion model in New York, Hayward travelled to Hollywood in 1937 to audition for the leading role in the film, Gone With the Wind (1939). Even though she was not selected, she landed a film contract and performed in many small supporting roles. By the late 1940s she won the first of five Academy Award nominations for Best Actress, for her performance in the film, Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman (1947). Later in he career she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her performance of a death row inmate in the film, I Want to Live! (1958).
TCM is showcasing Susan Hayward with the films listed below:
Girls on Probation (1938). A dizzy young girl falls into crime but wins her lawyer's heart. Cast: Jane Bryan, Ronald Reagan, Henry O'Neill. Dir: William McGann. After Jane, is caught wearing a dress that Bromley stole, Bryan has a meeting with future D.A. Ronald Reagan, whose girlfriend turns out to be a very young, SUSAN HAYWARD. Later Jane Bryan, innocently meets up with her friend, Bromley, who leads Bryan, into BIG trouble where they both land in jail. Bromley, is vicious and will do anything to please her boyfriend. I do not want to give it away, but... a great ending..
My Foolish Heart (1949) A young innocent life is shattered when she falls for a World War II flyer. Cast: Susan Hayward, Dana Andrews, Kent Smith. Dir: Mark Robson. You will get caught up in Andrews and Hayward's first meeting when sparks begin to fly. Andrews, never looked more handsome and this maybe one of my favorite Hayward's performance. "My Foolish Heart", is a wonderful film to curl up with a box of Kleenex on a early Tuesday morning.
Thank A Fool (1962) A woman once convicted of euthanasia gets a job caring for her prosecutor's wife. Cast: Susan Hayward, Peter Finch, Diane Cilento. Dir: Robert Stevens.
Top Secret Affair (1957) A female publishing magnate tries to keep a general she hates from securing a prestigious appointment. Cast: Susan Hayward, Kirk Douglas, Jim Backus. Dir: H.C. Potter. I enjoyed Kirk Douglas's second performance in a comedy. His first since, My Dear Secretary. Susan, gives a very funny performance when she tries to drink Douglas under the table at a nightclub. The film was to star Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, but.. Bogart's terminal illness forced him to leave the film. He was replaced by 'Kirk Douglas'. Bacall left to stay at home with her dying husband, and was replaced by 'Susan Hayward'.
Stolen Hours (1963). An American heiress with an incurable disease falls in love with her surgeon. Cast: Susan Hayward, Michael Craig, Diane Baker. Dir: Daniel Petrie.
Where Love Has Gone (1964) Family secrets come to light when a teen-ager murders her mother's lover. Cast: Susan Hayward, Bette Davis, Michael Connors. Dir: Edward Dmytryk.
Honey Pot, The (1967) A millionaire fakes a terminal illness to fleece his former girlfriends. Cast: Rex Harrison, Susan Hayward, Maggie Smith. Dir: Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
I recorded "My Foolish Heart" this AM and plan to watch with loads of kleenex tonight. I'm also recording Top Secret Affair. I loved it 30 years ago, so I hope it holds up. I remember one scene where Kirk Douglas gives Hayward a pistol lifted off a famous war criminal because he couldn't think what to give a woman who already had everything and could afford to buy anything. It's a funny scene for other reasons, but I remember thinking "I'd like to get a cool gift like that!" (And I still would.)
ReplyDeletepanavia999, I thought the film, Top Secret Affair, started out like a romantic comedy. Then, as their relationship changes, the story becomes more complicated and loses some of the humor. Which I thought was a little odd.
ReplyDeleteI watched Top Secret Affair last night and it was as good as I remember. The shift in story works OK, it's not a drastic change. (Some modern rom-coms downshift to lousy affect with messages, swelling music and slow motion in lieu of dialoge and acting.)
ReplyDeleteThe dialogue in Top Secret Affair is clever and snappy. How many comedies quote Clausewitz to good effect? Kirk Douglas has all the straight lines and gets most of the laughs. Jim Backus is also amusing as Colonel Gooch. Well paced, great ensemble, highly recommended.
As for "My Foolish Heart" (sniff) - I am saving it for the weekend so I can watch a few times without interuption.
OMG! I LOVE Susan Hayward SOOOO much!! She was so beautiful and very fiesty like me. My beloved Grandma reminded me of her very much looks, attitude!! Winona
ReplyDeletepanavia999, I agree, the "film Top Secret Affair", is a wonderful movie. But, I think I would have called it a "Drama". imho :)
ReplyDeleteShabbychicdiva, I agree.. Susan Hayward, is a wonderful actress. One of my favorite Susan Haward films is, "Snow of Kilinanjaro".