The Actress (1953)
Release Date: Sep 25, 1953 Wide
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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 83
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Movie Info
The Actress is based on Years Ago, one of several autobiographies by actress/playwright Ruth Gordon. Jean Simmons stars as blossoming teenager Ruth Gordon Jones, who is determined to become a famous stage star despite the objections of her stubborn ex-sea captain father Clinton Jones (Spencer Tracy). Papa wants Ruth to become a physical-education instructor, but she wants none of this. With the covert help of her understanding mother (Teresa Wright), Ruth seeks out stage work--any stage work.
Sep 25, 1953 Wide
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
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Cast
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Spencer Tracy
Clinton Jones -
Jean Simmons
Ruth Gordon Jones -
Teresa Wright
Annie Jones -
Anthony Perkins
Fred Whitmarsh -
Ian Wolfe
Mr. Bagley -
Kay Williams
Hazel Dawn -
Mary Wickes
Emma Glavey -
Norma Jean Nilsson
Anna -
Dawn Bender
Katherine -
Jackie Coogan
Heckler
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All Critics (3) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (1)
Sadly, if she was guilty of trying too hard or of trying in the wrong way, Cukor appears totally and uncharacteristically checked out... The Actress exposes the kinds of fraying seams that Cukor was usually so careful to conceal even in tattier projects.
George Cukor's screen version of Ruth Gordon's memoirs is well acted by Jean Simmons in the lead and Anthony Perkins (making his screen debut),
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This film would have been entertaining on its own merits, but that it's based on fact makes it that much better. The story is based on the early years of Ruth Gordon, known for such roles as the Satan-worshipping neighbor in Rosemary's Baby and the life-affirming old lady in Harold and Maude.
I am not familiar with Ruth Gordon's early work, but if Jean Simmons' swooning and weeping dramatics are any indication, Ms. Gordon was born to be an actress (although Spencer Tracy nearly steals the film from Simmons.)