Star Of The Month-Beulah Bondi

 

BEULAH BONDI

BIRTH: May 3, 1888

DEATH: January 11, 1981

AGED: 92 Years

DIED FROM: Pulmonary Complications caused by breaking her ribs falling over her cat

MARRIED: Never Married

AFFAIRS: None

CHILDREN: None

FAMOUS FRIENDS WITH: Margaret Hamilton ( the witch in “The Wizard of Oz”) and RobertStrong Woodward (American Painter).

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: The Gorgeous Hussey-1936: Of Human Hearts-1938

OSCAR WINS: None

TALENT: an Intellectual, Love of Elocution, love of acting

KNOWN FOR: loving acting, loving cats, world travel, Fashion

This lady has been in countless films often playing the mom who just needs some TLC. She is often long suffering but resilient, soft but with a hidden strength, she had a soft voice that could turn cold and sharp…she was a superb actress that made her mark as a character actress. She may have been typecast as the “mom” but she made the most of it and we remember her face if not her name. We all know her as the mom to Jimmy Stewart I. “it’s a Wonderful Life,”  which was their 4th pairing together on film( she played his mom 8n an episode of his TV show, “The Jimmy Stewart Show.”) and they shared a special bond getting along famously which showed on their on screen chemistry. She became famous when she was in her early 40s and worked u til her untimely death at age 92. This very intelligent lady, with a Masters in Oratory, loved philosophy, and high fashion. She had a huge collection of vintage fashion with many gowns designed by Natasha Rambova ( once married to Rudolph Valentino). She was an avid traveller venturing to Australia, around the world trips and a few trips to Africa and on safari, even well into her 80s. She loved her work and was only disappointed twice, once when not given the role of Ma Joad, in, “The Grapes of Wrath” and, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” For the role of Ma Joad, she went to visit the migrant workers  and bought a jalopy to drive around in, believing she secured the role. For Tom Sawyer, she actually got the role when May Robson fell ill but lost it when Robson recovered faster than expected. Nonetheless, she continued working receiving a standing ovation when she won the Emmy for her role as Martha Walton in the TV series, “The Waltons”. She makes my eyes tear up every time I watch, “Make Way For Tomorrow,” as the old wife and mom Separated from her husband by her unfeeling kids. It’s a timeless film and one that should have been nominated for Oscars in many categories. In fact, I think the director, Leo McCarey and Beulah should have been nominated. Sadly, this lady, dedicated to her work who never married or even had affairs, loved cats. Her favourite cat, Mr. Cat,  was the reason she died. She tripped over her cat breaking 3 ribs and dying  from pulmonary complications as a result of her broken ribs. I hope her cat still got a good home. She is one of the Grande Dames of supporting actresses that is remembered to this day.

FILMS

1. Make Way For Tomorrow-1937

2. It’s a Wonderful Life-1946

3. Penny Serenade-1941

4. The Snake Pit-1948

5. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington-1939

6. Watch On The Rhine-1943

7. Our Town-1940

8. Vivacious Lady-1938

9. The Southerner-1945

10. Trail of the Lonesome Pine-1936