Miss Rosalind Russell

Will be accepting for Helen Hayes. Poor Roz. Girl was tripping all over herself trying to get to that stage. Was she drunk?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7jr0Pcpd4k



• Roz Russell suffered from crippling arthritis in her later years. Her swollen face is probably evidence of the steroid injections they were treating it with. Notice how she is chaperoned from seat to stage by a pair of ushers. She was probably slightly doped on painkillers. Once she got moving she fairly glided across the stage. Poor Roz was one of those with many competitive Oscar nominations but no wins.

• SHE WAS DYING OF CANCER!

• She was truly loved by all her colleagues in Hollywood. It was her husband, producer Freddie Brisson who was the monster....or bad cop, if you will.

  The Lizard of Roz

• Lola Falona?!?! Karen Black was robbed!!!

• i love how Lola Falana has that "actory" voice where the "R" sound is dropped at the end of words- "Mis-tah" "a-wohd", etc.

• "She was truly loved by all her colleagues in Hollywood. It was her husband, producer Freddie Brisson who was the monster....or bad cop, if you will." If you care to read up on her life and career, it turns out that although she had a fair amount of innate talent -- especially as a comedian -- she (1) had no idea of her limitations (see GYPSY, MOURNING BECOME ELECTRA); (2) had very poor instincts when it came to what worked or didn't work on film and stage; (3) was a ruthless egomaniac and a diva; and (4) was an absolute pig in taking roles that rightfully belonged to others (see again the GYPSY movie).

• She crossed the street in front of my car once near the end. I felt so badly for her. She was being assisted but was in obvious pain, yet obviously wanted to get outdoors and be active. Loved her in everything she did.

• I love that the old actors and actresses pronounced certain words in a theatrical (?) way or is it some kind of regional accent? For instance, the word heart pronounced as haaht. Did they all take the same diction classes?

• I also love that the other nominees are not playing to the cameras. They could care less that their names are being announced.

• R9, the correct phrase is "couldn't care less."

• Why does someone on DL always have to put down whoever or whatever is being discussed? Could it be true that Derek and Ryan are on DL?

• Rosalind was very charming in the clip.

• I loved HIS GIRL FRIDAY. The banter was constant. Somewhere I read that the dialogue in HIS GIRL FRIDAY was at a faster clip than just about any other movie at the time. Rosalind and Cary Grant were a great combo in this delightful 40's comedy. I know, I know....some of the NOW generation won't watch it because it is in black & white. Sigh.....

• You're a crackpot, OP. She wasn't the least drunk, was trying to be effecient and was totally gracious.

• With George Raft in 'It Had to Happen' She plays the piano...

  http://acertaincinema.pemomo.com/workspace/media/george-raft-rosalind-russell-it-had-to-happen.jpg

• Russell always had a mixed reputation, but many loved her (as a person), with all the blame going to Brisson, who was known as "The Lizard of Roz." She was VERY hurt not to get the Oscar, especially for MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA.

• That usher was there to help everyone. He was surprised at how fast she went. I love her speech "...most of our hearts" MEEEOOOWWW!

• "Roz Russell suffered from crippling arthritis" RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

• She was a terrific Mother Superior.

• Lol R19. Certainly she was!

• Auntie Mame is one of my 5 favorite movies. I always thought Patrick would turn out gay.

  DannyinVA

• Love Roz. WTF is Lola Falana hosting the Oscars for? I realize that they tried to push her on us just like they tried to push Susan Anton forever, but really?

• Lee Grant was beautiful here.

• Some did, r8, but it didn't always help.

  Phoebe%20Dinsmore

• Pretty damn good in the TV version (on kinescope) of the musical WONDERFUL TOWN as Ruth Sherwood, a role she originally did on Broadway.

  Donna Murphy never even came close... in her three perf. on B'way

• Back when I first saw Auntie Mame hearing the boy was sent to a progressive school where no one wore clothes always made my crotch stir. I've wondered if it originally was Patrick was gay and he was made straight for the film.

• R21, in reality, he did.

• [quote]I've wondered if it originally was Patrick was gay and he was made straight for the film. The whole story of Auntie Mame involves lots of projection and wishful thinking on the part of its then-closeted gay author. The author bases Mame on himself if only he were a rich, attractive, single woman from a more stylish era than his own. He names the kid after himself but completely re-casts him as a red-blooded, all-American boy thrust into the homo-erotic atmosphere of private schools for privileged young men. The original work is tainted with occasional homophobic slurs that are supposed to throw unsuspecting readers off the scent of one of the gayest novels ever written.

• She should have won Best Suporting Actress for The Women in 1939 but wasn't even nominated. Hattie won for GWTW, of course. In those days, a star like Russell would never have been considered for the Supporting Category, like it was an insult. Almost 20 years ater, she might have won Best Supporting Actress for Picnic but, I believe, wouldn't allow herself to be considered in that category again. So.....competitive Oscar-less.

• R29 you are right! Below Rosalind Russell with Jimmy Stewart

  http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3059/2741697285_470fc43698_z.jpg%3Fzz%3D1

• Roz also seemed to be more of an independent contractor rather than signed to long term contracts at any one studio. So she didn't have that necessary studio support and much like Cary Grant, Irene Dunne and Barbara Stanwyck, no competitive Oscars for her.

• This is off-topic, but what makes you guys think Patrick Dennis would "TURN OUT GAY" as if his anything his Auntie Mame would do and attending a progressive school where children go naked could make him gay?! I've never heard of anything so preposterous! I'm now a bit curious as to how many of you think you were born with your sexual orientation versus some other explanation.

• She was way out of her depth in MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA.

• Roz doing Rose's Turn from Gypsy (with vocals dubbed with Ethel Merman's vocals)

  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D-GKzjmuSYXk

• Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell in 'The Women' Nice!

  http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_94wGm5Prdv0/S_zV_q2WyiI/AAAAAAAAHfI/lLNoLdHzcjE/s1600/Joan_Crawford_Rosalind_Russell_TheWomen%281947%29.jpg

• Joan looks fabulous there, R35.

• R36 yes she does. However, what a pity that Rosalind didn't share the same bathtub with Joan in that photo. Below there is a photo of Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell, 1960s. Those oldies but goodies... :)

  http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/5c/d5/e4/5cd5e4dabea9f83da1df229098e338ef.jpg

• Rosalind Russell with Loretta Young

  http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/d2/4f/b9/d24fb9c06c97ed7d9f16031035fab526.jpg

• Not the most flattering angle for Rosalind in R37's link but Joan looks just like Sophia Loren in that pic. You would never've believed she was a day over 45.

• Loretta Young, Rosalind Russell and Fred Brisson Chatting at Testimonial Dinner for Louella Parsons

  http://imagecache5d.art.com/Crop/cropwm.jpg%3Fimg%3D-48-4875-TOL8G00Z%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26w%3D1000%26h%3D1000%26size%3D2%26maxw%3D1257%26maxh%3D612%26q%3D100

• Hmm ok R39...here is a more flattering profile of Miss Rosalind Russell

  http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Russell%2C%20Rosalind/Annex/Annex%20-%20Russell%2C%20Rosalind%20%28No%20Time%20for%20Comedy%29_01.jpg

• and of course this one... Hehehe

  http://www.movieactors.com/photos-stars/rosalind-russell-thewomen-4.jpg

• I find it totally cool that she was married for life with the same man. What a refreshing change for Hollywood. Most of the Hollywood actors and actresses don't stay with the same partner for life. With her hubby Frederick Brisson below

  http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lervd8eBp51qcnts9o1_1280.jpg

• Rosalind with her bulldog. What a doggie! (1940s)

  http://www.eaumg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/rosalindrussellbulldog.jpg

• With Edith Adams in 'Wonderful Town'

  http://images.nypl.org/index.php%3Fid%3Dpsnypl_the_5149%26t%3Dw

• In 'Design for Scandal' with Walter Pidgeon. Love her glance here. Lolz

  http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/2/Open/Warner%20Brothers%20Distribution/Movies/Design%20For%20Scandal/_derived_jpg_q90_600x800_m0/1210-15.jpg%3Fpartner%3Dallmovie_soap

• One more. She grows on me.

  http://vintagestills.com/photosales2/151rosalind1.jpg

• [quote]You would never've believed she was a day over 45. Or 55.

• Roz was much beloved by her colleagues in Hollywood because, among other attributes, she was genuinely smart and witty, which was somewhat of a rarity in actresses in those days. But unlike Bette Davis and Kate Hepburn, who were also smart and witty, she was a generous, caring and accessible personality.

• R33) Russell's lost for "Mourning Becomes Electra" was at the time considered one of the bigger upsets in Oscar history. Apparently, most everyone expected her to win, even Loretta Young, who won for "The Farmer's Daughter." I don't think Russell was that bad in the film, but the film itself if fairly weak, based as it is on one of O'Neill's weaker plays.

• She was great in Monsters Inc.!

• [quote]She was truly loved by all her colleagues in Hollywood. No. Not all of them.

  Edie%20Adams%20%26%20Lawrence%20%26%20Lee

• Her husband, Fredrick Brisson,was supposedly an A-1 asshole. He was bad cop, to Roz's good. It's said he earned his nick-name in Hollywood, - 'The Lizard Of Roz'

  Paulette%20Goddard

• Link to Edie Adams bad-mouthing Roz, please.

• Supposedly she was a devout Catholic, which explains her lack of divorces (and illegitimate children and yes, I'm looking at you, Loretta.)

• Yes Roz was not one to sleep around.

• Was her husband gay? Was her son gay?

• She's lovely and even somewhat of a geeky ingenue in the mid-30s thriller Night Must Fall with Robert Montgomery and Dame May Whitty, based on the hit play. She plays a kind of proto-Nancy Drew type ferreting out a murderer in an English village. I don't why she's not more adored by the gays, considering she starred in all the favorites: Gypsy, The Women, Auntie Mame and The Trouble with Angels, not to mention the genuinely brilliant His Girl Friday.

• [quote]If you care to read up on her life and career, it turns out that although she had a fair amount of innate talent -- especially as a comedian -- she (1) had no idea of her limitations (see GYPSY, MOURNING BECOME ELECTRA); (2) had very poor instincts when it came to what worked or didn't work on film and stage; (3) was a ruthless egomaniac and a diva; and (4) was an absolute pig in taking roles that rightfully belonged to others (see again the GYPSY movie). You are a HORRIBLE human being.

• Grew up loving her in all the old movies. Found her completely believable in her roles. Also have always thought she was gay.

• Is she the former first lady to Jimmy Carter?

• R61 i have no idea, what are you talking about hon?

  http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/6285849248_4d2acca1d7.jpg

• Rosalind Russell as Hedda Gabler

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ROSALIND-RUSSELL-ORIGINAL-PHOTO-HOLLYWOOD-FILM-HEDDA-GABLER-1948-/00/s/NzE4WDU4Mg%3D%3D/%24%28KGrHqQOKiYE81%28umr%29CBP69Bslgb%21%7E%7E60_3.JPG

• She looks beautiful

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Time-of-Release-Orignal-Rosalind-Russell-ONE-8x10-bxw-photo-photograph-TO10040-/00/s/NzE1WDU5Ng%3D%3D/%24%28KGrHqQOKiwE5fRI8MmTBOeKqmrYyg%7E%7E60_3.JPG

• With Bette Davis!

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1962-Candid-Bette-Davis-Rosalind-Russell-VINTAGE-PHOTO-561C-/00/s/MTAyNFg3Njg%3D/%24T2eC16VHJG8E9nyfnfYiBQ8bL1tiKw%7E%7E60_57.JPG

• She was beautiful when she was younger, wasn't she?

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Rosalind-Russell-one-8x10-bxw-photo-photograph-22-/00/%24%28KGrHqYOKpUE1qoCznFRBNg3q9r%29GQ%7E%7E_3.JPG

• With Clark Gable in 'They Met in Bombay'

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1941-Press-Photo-Clark-gable-and-Rosalind-Russell-in-They-Met-In-Bombay-/00/s/NzY5WDEwMDA%3D/z/r28AAMXQgfZRDV8l/%24T2eC16JHJGkE9no8gJcpBRDV8k3ucg%7E%7E60_57.JPG

• With Joan Crawford in 'The Women' again, same scene, different moment... More close this time Lol...

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ROSALIND-RUSSELL-Joan-Crawford-CLASSIC-FILM-STILL-/00/s/MzkxWDUwNA%3D%3D/%24%28KGrHqR%2C%21hYFDuguSMpNBR%21%2CeeyyP%21%7E%7E60_3.JPG

• Winsome Rosalind Russell

  http://i.ebayimg.com/t/ROSALIND-RUSSELL-VINTAGE-THE-CITADEL-PROMO-STILL10x8bw-RARE-PHOTO-/00/s/MTI4MFgxNjAw/z/NykAAMXQxVZRBT-N/%24%28KGrHqJ%2C%21oIFD8629KBnBRBT-MSQ6g%7E%7E60_12.JPG

• Somewhere in her mind...

  http://img1.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/b/g/bgksccmb3a54gbsa.jpg

• Trivia about Miss Rosalind Russell Cary Grant, introduced her to her future husband and was the best man at their wedding. Helped Van Johnson overcome his fear of live audiences after goading him into performing in nightclubs. He made his Las Vegas debut in the 1950s. She was notorious for skipping class and sneaking off to a movie (often without paying).

• r61 Someone should start a thread about Rose Lynn Carter. She was awesome as a first lady. She knew how to behave. Not like that uppity black woman, Hillary and Babs Bush, and Mrs Reagan II.

• Many of you here may know this bit of trivia, but in regard to that scene from THE WOMEN with Roz and Joan seen in r68's photo: In the original 1936 Broadway play of the same, the Joan character (Crystal Allen) was played by a blonde actress. When she emerged from the soapy tub, the Roz character (Sylvia Potter) remarked: "Why Crystal, I always thought you were a natural blonde!" Now, I'm not sure how they dealt with the stage actress' apparent nudity but that line must have been pretty racy for its time. Unsurprisingly, Joan was not made a blonde for the film version, as the comic line never would have passed the film censors, anyway.

  Clare Tooth Loose

• Also, I think THE WOMEN pretty much saved Roz's career in Hollywood. Until then she was a not very successful leading lady throughout the 1930s...difficult to cast because she wasn't as pretty or sexy as most of her colleagues. She campaigned for the role of Sylvia Fowler (sorry, got the last name wrong above), even though friends warned her it was a supporting character part, because she knew she could steal the film with it. Her brilliant comic timing in THE WOMEN led directly to her being cast the next year as Hildy Johnson in Howard Hawks' HIS GIRL FRIDAY, establishing her finally as the top leading lady of screwball comedies of the decade.

  Clare Tooth Loose

• r72? Uppity black woman? You've just ensured no one (with any character) will start a thread for you, motherfucker.

• [quote]she was a not very successful leading lady throughout the 1930s. Because she wouldn't sleep with the director. [quote]Her brilliant comic timing in THE WOMEN led directly to her being cast the next year as Hildy Johnson in Howard Hawks' HIS GIRL FRIDAY, She finally wised up and used the casting couch.

• [quote]Link to Edie Adams bad-mouthing Roz, please. Go read Adams' autobiography. She has two or three pages about Russell screwing her over re the TV version of Wonderful Town. The same way she screwed over Lawrence and Lee for the movie version of Auntie Mame. She had wanted the producers to close Auntie Mame on Broadway when she left (to do the film) so there would be no other Broadway Mame but her. The producers instead, decided to recast (Greer Garson, Beatrice Lillie) and in fact added seven more months to the run. Lawrence and Lee had sided with the producers on the issue, so Roz refused to let them do the movie. She could be vicious when she wanted to, and she definitely had a sense of "star" - old-school. She wasn't the angel everyone on this thread is implying.

• [quote]Now, I'm not sure how they dealt with the stage actress' apparent nudity but that line must have been pretty racy for its time. The same way they do in the movie. Crystal's ornate bathtub is ringed with a wrap-around curtain that drops into place when she pulls a chain. The actress playing Sylvia stands far enough upstage to see Crystal emerge through a part in the curtain that faces away from the audience. Only in the movie, Crystal never rises from the tub.

• What would Joan Rivers have said about that black dress she wore to the Oscars in OP's clip?

• What is your opinion about 'His Girl Friday' Overrated for some, what do you think?

• Why was Lola Falana presenting at the Oscars? Was she a film actress? I thought she was just a dancer. Poor Roz really suffered from "champagne chin" in her later years.

• [quote]Someone should start a thread about Rose Lynn Carter. Oh, dear. [quote]She was awesome as a first lady. She knew how to behave. Actually, at the time she was much criticized for being (to use your word) "uppity," given that insisted on attending her husband's cabinet meetings.

• R82, it wasn't so much a case of her being thought "uppity" as it was thought inappropriate for a person who was not elected to serve the public in any capacity horning in on cabinet meetings. No other members of the cabinet brought their wives. It made Carter look pussy-whipped. Carter sent Rosalyn in his place to attend some sort of conference in Latin America which was considered a great insult to them, as if the president considered himself too important to deal with the dignitaries of lesser nations. As with so many of Carter's gestures, it was meant to convey good will and only made him look foolish.

• His Girl Friday absolutely still stands as a comic masterpiece and Roz and Cary and all those great character actors can never be topped in that style of humor. Brilliant script and direction and yet it all is acted as if they were improvising it on the spot. They just don't make them like that any more. I feel the same about Bringing Up Baby, also by Howard Hawks, yet that one does sometimes seem to irk some people....why, I don't know.

  Clare Tooth Loose

• Rosalind Russell, Greer Garson & Merle Oberon

  http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CNPZ0JYfo5Y/SZBOvL91JYI/AAAAAAAAHTk/JsJ2iwXgVpA/s400/FriendsGreerMerleRoz.jpg