Posts from DukePilgrim in thread „Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion“

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Hi Cole

    I have never heard that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. I think this might be the old Ford story of how he tricked Stewart into criticising Woody Strode role in Who Shot Liberty Valance by describing it as Uncle Tom.

    The references in Maureen's book to Stewart are as follows:-


    "I discovered that in a Jimmy Stewart movie that every scenes revolves around Jimmy Stewart. I was never allowed to really play out a single scene in the picture. He is a remarkable actor but not a generous one"


    Later when she starred in The Rare Breed with Jimmy Stewart and when she stole a scene from him. Later in the day Stewart suddenly became unwell with a mysterious illness and went home.


    "When I showed up for work the next day to finish the scene, new pages of script were handed out. The scene had been completely rewritten overnight and was now impossible for me to steal."


    She regarded Rare Breed as a total flop and only praised Brian Keith who also starred in the movie.



    The only other fact that I know about Stewart was that he parted company pretty disgracefully with director Anthony Mann after a dispute with how much credit Mann was getting for invigorating Stewart's career with the westerns he made with him in the 1950s. Ironically after the rift neither of them enjoyed the success they had when they worked as a team.



    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Hi Dakota

    I would say questions will be pre selected and a wide range of subjects banned but you never know.

    There is a certain amount of let us say "regrets" in Maureen's book. The last interview she did when the book was published was a non event as she refused to discuss any of the controversial elements


    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    It's funny Jim

    Whilst Duke has a wide following Jimmy Stewart doesnt have much if any.

    I know a lot of people who cant stand him and I think his way of dragging out lines can make him particularly irritating.

    Personally, I like him in the Mann Westerns and with the exception of Harvey and Bandolero not much else. The Capra films in particularly leave me cold like taking a whole
    bottle of cough mixture!


    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Hi All

    In Maureen's book she says that Ford tried to get her sacked from Mr Hobbs takes a Vacation as somebody who was difficult and that after that was cleared up she was left under no illusions that:-

    "I discovered that in a Jimmy Stewart movie that every scenes revolves around Jimmy Stewart. I was never allowed to really play out a single scene in the picture. He is a remarkable actor but not a generous one"

    Later when she starred in The Rare Breed with Jimmy Stewart and when she stole a scene from him. Later in the day Stewart suddenly became unwell with a mysterious illness and went home.

    "When I showed up for work the next day to finish the scene, new pages of script were handed out. The scene had been completely rewritten overnight and was now impossible for me to steal."

    She regarded Rare Breed as a total flop and only praised Brian Keith who also starred in the movie.



    The only other fact that I know about Stewart was that he parted company pretty disgracefully with director Anthony Mann after a dispute with how much credit Mann was getting for invigorating Stewart's career with the westerns he made with him in the 1950s. Ironically after the rift neither of them enjoyed the success they had when they worked as a team.


    Jimmy was a good western star but I can't rate him in the same league as the Duke. I know John Wayne was loyal to his directors and actors who he worked with and I dont believe I have ever heard of him asking for a scene to be rewritten to give him a more dominant role.


    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Judging from the last interview I saw her give with Gerry Kelly I think she may not like interviews too much.

    GSP I never thought of Maureen in Hondo or Rio Bravo but reckon she could have improved Rooster Cogburn instead of Kate Hepburn and would have added the final cherry
    if she had starred in The Shootist instead of Betty Bacall.


    Anyway Gerry charm her as best you can. Hopefully you have Irish ancestry mention the success of the Irish cricketers in the West Indies and find out as much as you can for us.

    This could be one of her last interviews.


    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Hi Gerry


    To help you in your interview with Maureen

    Some questions come to mind to ask Maureen about John Wayne

    Where there any other John Wayne /Maureen O Hara films planned that did not come to fruitition for some reason.

    She also mentions in her book that she thought Big Jake would be a better movie than than it panned out to be. She says footage was cut from this movie becuse of it length. Can she give any insight to what was shot or deleted from the final cut of the movie.

    Also, I have always thought that her movie with Brian Keith The Parent Trap that Brian had similarities in style to the Duke. Was it something she was aware of. Could she see John Wayne doing a movie like Parent Trap.


    What was her favourite movie to act in ?


    If she hadnt been an actress what career path would she have taken?


    Finally, without asking what she whispered in John Wayne's ear. Was in Gaelic or English? And if it was Gaelic did John Wayne understand what being said?


    Hope this helps


    Mike

  • Maureen O'Hara- Biography & Discussion

    Her recent book covered a lot of ground but she always seem to duck against certain questions including The Quiet Man whisper. Poor Gerry Kelly when he interviewed her did not get much joy she will want to stick very much to script with no surprises.

    Ford is a touchy subject with her but you may get results. Also, not getting an Academy Award may produce a interesting line of conversation.

    She was not too inspired with Jimmy Stewart

    You could ask her what roles she regrets not getting and would she do more theatre. Would she do things differently.

    Being Charles Laughton protege could open up an interesting conversation.

    Good Luck on your interview



    Mike