TV and Movies

[Oznell]

10:00 a.m. Wednesday--  "The Miniver Story" Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Greer Garson, Cathy O'Donnell, Leo Genn, John Hodiak, James Fox

The follow up to the magnificent "home front" movie, "Mrs. Miniver".   Have not seen it.  It is post-war England, and the Minivers are re-united after the various separations and dislocations of war.

Restlessness, secret illness, romantic temptation characterize their lives after the trauma they experienced.

I'm generally suspicious of sequels, but Garson and Pidgeon are a highly watchable pair.  Little Toby is played by a young James Fox (billed by his real name, William Fox here, but recognizable as the adorable adult actor "James Fox" that he became.)

"Vin", (the comely Richard Ney) the Minivers' eldest son who was tragically widowed during a German strafing of the countryside is inexplicably absent from this film.  However, he and his screen mother Greer Garson had actually married (ick) in real life, so perhaps their short-lived marriage and subsequent divorce resulted in his omission from the sequel...

[qualitygal]

I really like The Miniver Story movie.  Greer Garson was always a joy to watch.  

[Sweet_Serenity]

Greer Garson fifteen years older and though not common back then women marrying younger men if it were a man instead nothing would be said. Filming establishes close relationships between actors often falling in love spending long periods of time together. The marriage ended after several attempts to reconcile. 

In 1960, Greer scored a great triumph when she was offered the role of Eleanor Roosevelt in the film Sunrise at Campobello. The film, starring Ralph Bellamy as Franklin Roosevelt, dealt with his crises with polio. Greer would become a great friend to Eleanor Roosevelt and engrossed herself in researching her life. Her performance would earn her a seventh academy award nomination. 

In 1993, Queen Elizabeth recognized Garson's achievements by investing her as commander of the order of the British Empire. 

During her later years, Garson was recognized for her philanthropy and civic leadership. Greer Garson talented actress and so much more. 

[Johnnyeager]

While I am an enormous Greer fan, neither Mrs. Miniver nor the sequel are among my favorites.

My favorite Garson/Pidgeon pairing is Blossoms in the Dust.  Absolutely joyous entertainment, while heart breaking and gut wrenching at the same time.

Mrs. Parkington is fun too.

[Oznell]

Great points on Greer Garson, @Sweet_Serenity.   I really like her too.  I don't hold her marrying a younger man against her at all.  My reaction was more, kind of a visceral reaction because she played his mother-- it almost feels like violating an incest taboo!  But "it's only make-believe" and you are right.

She was an amazing woman and force of nature, and very admired by many.  So much so that her fellow Republicans wanted her to run for Congress in Texas.  I think she and her last husband lived in Texas.  A great philanthropist too.

My favorite Garson performances--  as "Mrs. Miniver" in the first film, of course, and her arch, witty, spirited "Lizzie Bennett" in "Pride and Prejudice".

[Johnnyeager]

Louis B. Mayer almost died of a heart attack from that marriage!

[Oznell]

Isn't that hilarious, @Johnnyeager.   Considering all the other scandalous things his actors had been involved with over the years, one little ole marriage causing such a ruckus....

Although the completely harmless age difference probably ruffled some feathers, I'm suspecting that the fact that they had so recently played mother and son in one of the most revered of the wartime movies was a cause for 'queasiness' too, ha....

[Johnnyeager]

That's for sure.

And some Greer trivia:  She and Bette Davis still hold the record for the most consecutive Oscar nomination, 5.

Bette:  1938-1942

Greer:  1941-1945  (Greer's Golden Age)

No modern day actor/actress will ever achieve or beat that, since these women had the studios lining up superior product for them.

[Sweet_Serenity]

@Oznell 

Indeed, Greer's Bio mentions Republicans asked her in 1966 run for Congress she turned them down. Fascinating reading her life story. 

[drizzellla]

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@Johnnyeager wrote:

Louis B. Mayer almost died of a heart attack from that marriage!

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And isn't it interesting that there was almost a 25 year difference in Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. And all you hear about is what a great relationship that was.