Ann Blyth

 

One of the last of old Hollywood died last week at the age of 98… Ann Blyth. She would have been 99 in August and I was really hoping she would live to 100. I’m not sure why her death struck me but, I think, it is because so few are still alive. Hell, this gal worked with Joan Crawford and had nothing but nice things to say bout her! I first saw her in a musical and fell in love with her voice before I saw her as the viper brat to Saintly Joan. So, here’s to Ann..

1. MILDRED PIERCE-1945

This is the film that established Ann as a star and revitalized Joan Crawford’s career( she won the Best Actress Oscar accepting the award in her bed since she was, cough… sick with the flu) where Joan plays Mildred, a woman who has the worst daughter one can think of. Mildred and her spouse divorce after losing their sweet daughter to pneumonia. Mildred spoils he oldest daughter who is quite happy taking. Mildred finds a job as a waitress and before you can say, “Crocodiles eat their young,” Mildred opens her own restaurant and becomes quite successful. Mildred meets this suave A-hole who sweeps her off her feet while seducing her bitch of a daughter, very willingly, I might add. This is a must-see film, in my opinion, for all the noir imagery, the acting and Crawford’s shoulder pads. Ann Blyth excels as the nasty bitch of a daughter who takes and takes making her mom feel bad for making her into a nasty bitch….hmmm..maybe some parents should watch this on how not to raise their children. 

2. MR. PEABODY AND THE MERMAID-1948

I love anything dealing with mermaids and saw this fun movie years ago when the great Elwy Yost hosted Saturday Night At The Movies on TVO( the Canadian PBS) who showcased 2 movies with interviews from the famous stars, directors, producers et al from the classic days of Hollywood (I wish TVO would bring this back because I would watch this all over again). This film stars William Powell who, to help regain his strength after being ill, takes a Caribbean holiday with his wife. When he goes out fishing he is shocked when he reels in a mermaid, played so well by Ann Blyth. For whatever the reason, he brings her back to the resort and dumps her into the deep pool right near his room. This mischievous mermaid sings and smiles but is unable to talk, but that doesn’t bother Powell who falls in love with her, forgetting all about his wife. This is not a classic but it is fun movie that makes you smile.

3. THE STUDENT PRINCE-1954

This is the first film I saw Ann Blyth in and just fell in love with the movie and with her as the barmaid who falls in love with the Prince. Her exquisite, operatic voice is in full form as we follow the Prince( originally was supposed to be Mario Lanza but he was fired due to his diva-like ways and Edmund Purdom stepped in) who is a student of the old Heidelberg University. He and the other boys end up at an Inn which is popular with students who love to drink. There the Prince meets Kathie, the innkeeper’s daughter, and they fall in love but can their love survive the duty that the Prince is expected to adhere to? It is a beautiful musical that struck me deeply as a 10 year old kid. I loved the romance, the colour photography, the acting of Blyth as well as the character actors Edmund Gwenn and S. Z. Sakall and the singing. Thankfully, the producers still had Mario Lanza’s singing voice and used it to dub Edmund Purdom. I’d love to see this film again.

Do any of you know this actress? I hope so.