Today is the birthday of one of my top 25 favorite actresses---the lovely Loretta Young. (January 6, 1913-August 12, 2000).
This graceful, elegant, Academy Award-winning actress, whose career began as a child in the silent era, comes in between 15 and 20 on my all-time favorite actress list...putting her very solidly in my top 25.
While I enjoy 1947's The Farmer's Daughter, the film for which she won the Best Actress Award, my favorite of Loretta's films is the 1986 made-for-TV movie Christmas Eve (reviewed HERE). Besides the fact that Miss Young aged beautifully and gracefully and was as lovely at 73 as she was at 23, I just love the tenderness and sentimentality of that film. In addition to being my favorite Loretta Young movie, it is also one of my all-time favorite Christmas films.
Rounding out my list of 5 favorite Loretta Young films are:
2. Rachel and the Stranger (with William Holden and Robert Mitchum...reviewed HERE)
3. The Bishop's Wife (with Cary Grant and David Niven)
4. Cause for Alarm (with Barry Sullivan...reviewed HERE)
5. The Doctor Takes a Wife (with Ray Milland---reviewed HERE)
My maternal grandmother (whose favorite actor was Ray Milland) totally loved Loretta Young. In fact, it was at her request that I watched Christmas Eve back in 1986. It was Loretta's first film appearance in a couple of decades, and my grandmother was most excited about that, so, although not a classic movie (or classic movie star) fan at the time, I agreed to watch the movie with her...and I totally loved it. Interestingly, January 6th is also my beloved grandmother's birthday (though she passed away back in 1996). I wonder if she had any idea that she shared her birthday with one of her favorite actresses.
So, Loretta Young, here's to you on your 99th birthday! You were always such a classy, beautiful lady! Thanks for making so many great movies!!
My favorite Loretta Young movies are, Rachel and the Stranger and The Bishop's Wife. There seemed to be a gentleness about her on screen
ReplyDeleteI loved her in The Bishop's Wife, too!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Dawn, I agree about the gentleness on screen. She really did have that quality about her.
ReplyDeleteAnd I, too, really like "The Bishop's Wife." It was either that one or "Paula" for #5. (I'm forcing myself to only list 5 films on these birthday posts...not sure how I'll manage that in April when it comes to William Holden and Bette Davis, but I will try.)
This is a lovely tribute to Loretta and I'm pleased it gave you the opportunity to share the memories of your grandmother.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that Loretta is well placed in your favourite actresses list. One thing I was curious about is; how often do you update these lists?
I'm sure there must be times after you've watched a particular film that you feel tempted to move one of your favourites up or down in the rankings.
Paul, funny you should ask that question. Just this week, I updated them a bit...had to remove Ingrid Bergman from her spot to make room for Joan Fontaine. Also, poor George Brent took a major tumble, from about 10 to 16.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, the top 6 guys have been in that same order for a couple years, with the exception being that Robert Ryan moved up to join them. Gal-wise, the top 4 have been in that order for a couple years as well. I think they are all very solid exactly where they are, especially because I regularly watch their films so as to keep them there. (I like the idea of being a loyal, faithful fan.)
It's the tier below those 6 guys and 4 gals that fluctuates alot...up until about 11 or 12. Those people might move around a great deal, like I did just move Judy Holliday and Grace Kelly down slightly and moved Myrna and Audrey up. And March, Andrews, Taylor, and Power often switch slots depending on whose films I've been enjoying.
After that, the next tier is from about 11 to 15, and they might move around, as does the lowest tier.
Even as far as my movies, I had to move "Roman Holiday" and "Pillow Talk" off the top 20 list to make room for "Middle of the Night" and "Ten North Frederick."
So, the long-winded answer to your question is that I usually update my lists every couple months...however, it is pretty much going to be the second and third tiers where you will see that update play out.
What an awesome birthday tribute to Loretta Young. While she may not be ranked in my top 20 fave actresses, she is one of my favorites. Haven't seen too many of her films though. Loved her in The Bishop's Wife of course. And The Farmer's Daughter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and love for her Patti.
ReplyDelete