Another sad
loss today― actress Julie Harris. In an era of sex goddesses, this mousy
actress carved out an impressive list of movies, along with an extraordinary
body of stage work. The only actress to win a record five Tony Awards for
‘best actress in a play’, she was honored with a six for lifetime achievement
in 2002. She also won several Emmys for her television work
.
Despite her
long list of critically acclaimed roles, I think the one I loved most of all
was as Eleanor in The
Haunting, (1963) with Richard
Johnson, Russ Tamblyn and Claire Bloom. Robert Wise directed the
adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel, The
Haunting of Hill House. I love ghost stories and this is one of the
best, but Harris captivated me as the shy Eleanor, a woman who had spent her
life taking care of her invalid mother, who had never had the chance to
really live. She touches your heart with her yearnings for love, for a
place to belong.
Julie was a “crow among the peacocks” of Hollywood, but she outshone then all with her beautiful talent. I’m feeling a bit sad upon hearing of her passing. I think I shall go put on The Haunting and treasure her gift to us one more time.
No comments:
Post a Comment