Tragedy in the Hollywood Heyday

As a diversionary tactic of avoiding my homework or grading the homework of others, I decided to watch some Turner Classic Movies. It was by chance that I turned to that channel, and I don't even know what stations are what (I really refuse to watch much tv unless I am avoiding the above mentioned homework/grading). It was perfect timing for this movie from 1948 called The Sign of the Ram. I found it intriguing and the guy who introduces the classics (who used to be George Clooney's dad; however, I have no idea who this dude is) says it is a one that will leave me glued to my seat (ok, I think he used a better cliche than that, but it was something along those marketing lines).

Of course, it is beautifully shot in black and white. The cinematography is amazing as most of those films of the time are, and Sturges does an incredible job. It takes place in Cornwall and is the story of this crippled writer, younger than her husband, who hires a secretary to tend to her needs. As we progress we know that the writer, Leah, married Mallory after his wife died (and she was her friend) and has raised her kids (who are basically all adults at this point: one boy and two girls). They worship her as she is paralyzed because she saved two of them in a boating accident. She seems all wonderful until we realize (as well as others in the plot) that she wants to keep everyone at home, so sabotages everyone's happiness for her own. The title comes from a speech given to her about her sign, an Aries, and how dominant and controlling and manipulative they can be. I am an Aries and I totally subscribe to this!!

This is not my point, that is to give a synopsis of this movie. It ends tragically with her killing herself which then lead Mr. Clooney's replacement to tell the background of the movie and the lead actress, Susan Peters. It seems this was supposed to be her comeback film after she, in real life, became paralyzed. It never was, and she died tragically at the age of 31 from starvation. This made me want to look her up and find out what the deal was. It seems that Susan Peters was an up-and-coming MGM actress who won an Academy Award at a young age for a role in something-Harvest (I can't remember the name now). She then met her husband, another actor and aspiring director, Richard Guine, in a movie called Tist. Everything was peachy until they went on a hunting trip in San Diego on New Year's Day 1945. She picked up a rifle from the ground and it discharged, lodging a bullet in her spine which left her paralyzed from the waist down. MGM was good enough to pay her medical bills and leave her on contract, trying to give her roles. However, they were all crippled roles and she didn't necessarily want to be typecast, but what options did she really have? She persevered through all the drama, adopted a son with her husband and then the shit really hit the fan. She wanted a divorce because she felt she was a burden on him, and so they did 2 years after adopting Timothy. Richard wanted it made clear to Luella Parsons that he did not abandon her. Damn, that is harsh.

She went into a major depression and did try some screen work and such, but suffered from Anorexia Nervosa and died at the young age of 31 of kidney failure and pneumonia caused by the eating disorder. She basically starved herself to death as she lost the will to live.

Then in 1989, Richard Guine shot himself in Hollywood. I mean, how much tragedy can there be with one couple? You have this gorgeous, talented actress who has this freak accident that totally fucks her over. Duck hunting in the mountains of San Diego. I just find the whole 30's, 40's, 50's Hollywood so intriguing. I love old movies. The lack of action and gore and sex leads to this visual paradigm that should still be followed. The shadows, the music, the melodrama, the implied suggestions, and the simplicity of character-driven pieces. What an era.

After reading all this research on Zelda Fitzgerald, this interested me as well. How many of these actresses and actors were out there? How many has these tragic lives? They aren't all the Paris' and Lindsey's of the world. Or maybe they were.

Then after that I watched this movie called The Way of the Wicked with Arlene Dahl. She was gorgeous. And, to top it off, Phil Carey was in it. He now plays Asa Buchanan on One Life to Live. I've only known him as this old coot. Damn, he was pretty hot. Sex exuded from him. How do these decent actors go from great Hollywood movies to fucking daytime soaps? And, how is he still alive and kicking?

Wow, this is what Ted Turner has done to me . . .