Jean Simmons died last night. No, not the freaky rock star from KISS, but one of my favorite actresses from classic films. She was a huge star in the 50's, married to the Great White Hunter himself, Stuart Granger. She typically played up-tight, mental, or just plain intimidating ladies, such as Ophelia in "Hamlet", and Elizabeth I in "Young Bess". But when given the opportunity, she could really let loose. If you ever want to see an actor display pure joy on-screen, watch her rendition of "If I Were a Bell" in "Guys and Dolls".
She was also in a few other favorites of mine - "The Big Country" with Gregory Peck (a terrific and melodramatic western) and of course, "Spartacus" with Kirk Douglas. Then there was her Sister Sharon Falconer in "Elmer Gantry" with Burt Lancaster. I'll never forget how she tells him off for calling her ma'am, as it is a contraction for the word Madam, and she is not a Madam.... Ahh - Just thinking of those movies brings back all the hours of bliss spent watching them. R.I.P.
She was also in a few other favorites of mine - "The Big Country" with Gregory Peck (a terrific and melodramatic western) and of course, "Spartacus" with Kirk Douglas. Then there was her Sister Sharon Falconer in "Elmer Gantry" with Burt Lancaster. I'll never forget how she tells him off for calling her ma'am, as it is a contraction for the word Madam, and she is not a Madam.... Ahh - Just thinking of those movies brings back all the hours of bliss spent watching them. R.I.P.
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