Versatile actor best known for her roles in The Sound of Music and Of Human Bondage
In the Hollywood of the 1940s and 50s, when typecasting was an essential constituent of stardom, Eleanor Parker, who has died aged 91, never gained the recognition she deserved, because she refused to be pigeonholed. "It means I've been successful in creating the characters that I've portrayed – that I'm not just a personality who is seen in a variety of roles." Dana Andrews, her co-star in Madison Avenue (1962), called her "the least heralded great actress".
The 1957 film Lizzie is almost a reflection of her career. Parker plays three separate and distinct characters harboured inside one woman – the shy, self-effacing Elizabeth; the wanton, raunchy Lizzie; and the "normal" Beth – and switches brilliantly from one to the other. Parker was always able to be convincing in these three sorts of characters. She was naive as the girl...
In the Hollywood of the 1940s and 50s, when typecasting was an essential constituent of stardom, Eleanor Parker, who has died aged 91, never gained the recognition she deserved, because she refused to be pigeonholed. "It means I've been successful in creating the characters that I've portrayed – that I'm not just a personality who is seen in a variety of roles." Dana Andrews, her co-star in Madison Avenue (1962), called her "the least heralded great actress".
The 1957 film Lizzie is almost a reflection of her career. Parker plays three separate and distinct characters harboured inside one woman – the shy, self-effacing Elizabeth; the wanton, raunchy Lizzie; and the "normal" Beth – and switches brilliantly from one to the other. Parker was always able to be convincing in these three sorts of characters. She was naive as the girl...
- 12/10/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Most people probably know versatile character actress Eleanor Parker, who died on December 9 at age 91, from classic big-screen musical "The Sound of Music." She played the platinum blonde Baroness, who isn't slow to pick up on Christopher Plummer's Captain Von Trapp's true feelings for governess Maria (Julie Andrews). TCM is rolling out an entire Parker retrospective to celebrate her career on December 17, so viewers can become better acquainted, or reacquainted, with her body of work. Check out the lineup, below, plus an obit roundup.The following is a complete schedule of TCM's tribute to Eleanor Parker:Tuesday, Dec. 176 a.m. – The Very Thought of You (1944)7:45 a.m. – Of Human Bondage (1946)9:45 a.m – The Woman in White (1948)11:45 p.m. – Caged (1950)1:30 p.m. – Scaramouche (1952)3:30 p.m. – Interrupted Melody (1955)5:15 p.m. – Home from the Hill (1960)Here's TCM's obit:a remarkably versatile leading lady of the 1940s and '50s,...
- 12/10/2013
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Actress Eleanor Parker has died at age 91. She was best known for playing the Baroness who was engaged to Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) in the classic 1965 film version of The Sound of Music. Upon hearing of her death, Plummer released this statement: "Eleanor Parker was and is one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever known, both as a person and as a beauty. I hardly believe the sad news for I was sure she was enchanted and would live forever." Parker had been nominated for three Academy Awards but it was her role as the Baroness for which she is best-remembered, as the rich woman who loses the love of Captain Von Trapp to Maria (Julie Andrews). Parker's other key films include Of Human Bondage, The Man With the Golden Arm, The Naked Jungle, Caged and Detective Story. For more on her life and career, click here.
- 12/10/2013
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
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