The Actress 1953

The Actress

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The Actress Photos

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Movie Info

In 1913 Boston, teenager Ruth Gordon Jones (Jean Simmons) wants nothing more than to be a famous actress. Her father, Clinton (Spencer Tracy), who recently lost his job as a sailor and became a factory worker, however expresses his desire that Ruth train to be a teacher. Between managing a blossoming romance with a Harvard student (Anthony Perkins) and trying to get a foothold in the theatrical world, Ruth must convince her family to support her dreams.

Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

George Cukor
Producer:

Lawrence Weingarten
Release Date (Theaters):

Sep 25, 1953 original
Release Date (Streaming):

Mar 23, 2017
Runtime:

1h 30m
Production Co:

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Sound Mix:

Mono

Cast

Jean Simmons
as Ruth Gordon Jones

Spencer Tracy
as Clinton Jones

Teresa Wright
as Annie Jones

Anthony Perkins
as Fred Whitmarsh

Ian Wolfe
as Mr. Bagley

Kay Williams
as Hazel Dawn

Mary Wickes
as Emma Glavey

Norma Jean Nilsson
as Anna

Dawn Bender
as Katherine

Jackie Coogan
as Heckler

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Critic Reviews for The Actress

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (2)

It has charm and humor, but not enough plot to last a full-length movie.

June 24, 2019 | Full Review…

Bob Thomas
Associated Press
Top Critic
Ruth Gordon's memoirs of her New England girlhood have been turned into a warm, funny movie.

December 2, 2019 | Full Review…

Clyde Gilmour
Maclean's Magazine
An autobiographical snapshot in time of Ruth Gordon's life as a young determined girl with the dream of being on the stage, the dream of being an actress. A wonderful script penned by Ruth Gordon herself!

February 6, 2019 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Rosalie Kicks
Moviejawn
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.

February 1, 2012 | Rating: C- | Full Review…

Nick Davis
Nick's Flick Picks
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),

April 4, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for The Actress

Jun 03, 2010

The beautiful Jean Simmons stars as Ruth Jones, a 17-year old girl in the early 20th century who wants to be an actress so badly that -- with typical teenage girl angst -- she wants to die. Her mother (Teresa Wright) knows of her dreams, but they are both afraid to tell Ruth's gruff seaman father (Spencer Tracy). When she finally tells him, she gets a surprise as to what she learns of her father's past. 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.)

Cindy I Super Reviewer
Apr 15, 2010

Jean Simmons is great in this. Spencer Tracy and Teresa Wright good as her parents.

jay n Super Reviewer