Eleanor Parker, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Deal with My Castmates' Shade.

Farewell, Maria. I'm sure you'll make a fine nun.

Omg thank you OP! We thank you so much. I can't understand why her name isn't mentioned anymore, like other names of her era. This woman gave brilliant performances and she was amazingly beautiful, sexy and charming.

Every time i happen to see a movie with her i feel so beautiful just looking at her approaching her role

I love her presence! She has been wonderful.

Her movies should be more available!

Fucking Amazon.com! Make more about Miss Eleanor Parker, make subtitles for her movies. She gave moving performances. She should not be forgotten or be remembered only as The Baroness from The Sound of Music. I loved her especially in these movies:

Caged

Scaramouche

The Naked Jungle

Interrupted Melody

The Detective Story

Between Two Worlds

Three Secrets

Many Rivers to Cross

Escape from Fort Bravo

The Man With The Golden Arm

Home From The Hill

The King and Four Queens

And omg, i want so much to see more of her movies! I hope someone will release them with subtitles or add subtitles to them somehow. There has to be a way!

I want to see so much these movies of hers:

The Woman in White

Pride of The Marines

Of Human Bondage

The Voice of the Turtle

Lizzie

Valentino

The Very Thought of You

Escape Me Never

Valley of The Kings

An American Dream

Madison Avenue

Eye of The Cat

Maybe I'll Come Home in the Spring

Actually i wouldn't mind to see anything with great Eleanor Parker

I learned to be a bitch from watching The Baroness.

The Baroness was nothing compared to the Hope Emerson character in Caged.

She-Bangs!

She was SENSATIONAL in 'The Naked Jungle'

You couldn't take her eyes off her when you watched her being there. Wonderful woman. She was so versatile too. Women like her should be more praised and known! She is a star ffs! A living legend. She is!

Oh, gurl... fire your stylist, now.

The Barroness and Gay-org made a very handsome couple, moreso than he and that ordinary wannabe nun.

I bet if she had written her autobiography and made some public appearances, she would be more praised and known than she is now. Life is so unfair, fucking marketing!

This woman deserves much more than a lot of others of her era who are more known than her. As much as i adore actresses of her era, i know that some of them weren't as great and radiant as Eleanor was in her movies. They just happen to put their colorful experiences in a book and they appeared more in the public than Eleanor did in their later years. I believe that writing an autobiography-as much interesting as it is for us who we love cinema and those beautiful stars-it is somehow vulgar and pompous from their part. Miss Parker obviously lacked that vulgarity. She's been married four times and she worked with many great actors and stars. She could have been provocative if she wanted to, but not Eleanor. She is great. I hope old age doesn't treat her very badly. Eleanor Parker!

[quote]I hope old age doesn't treat her very badly

I rather think that that's already been decided.

Parker's name is MUD!

With Jean-Pierre Aumont in 'The Seventh Sin'

Stunning Eleanor!

I wonder how she got "Interrupted Melody" away from Susan Hayward.

And why do I have a hunch that R2 aka R3 aka R7 aka R10 aka R13 doesn't know that Eleanor Parker proudly converted to Judaism?

Well R11...i hope she will be fine, anyway.

:)

R14, your suspicions justify you. I didn't know that. Hehe! Hmmm, have you got anything else to write about that incredible femme? By the way Eleanor Parker was a far more touching actress than Susan Hayward(Susan could also be great though...)

She's great in Caged and Between Two Worlds. And gives an almost unrecognizable, strangely mesmerizing (I can't say for sure if it's good, it's beyond good or bad) and very sexually charged performance as Mildred in the 1946 version of Of Human Bondage, a role that few people would ever imagine her doing.

God, i envy you R17 that you have seen 'Of Human Bondage' with Eleanor. I wish i could see this movie. Wishful thinking? I mean, this film doesn't seem to exist yet on DVD or even on VHS. I can't find it nowhere in Amazon.

Actually, "Lizzie" (based on the Shirley Jackson story) is quite good and one of her best performances. Too bad it was a B film and overshadowed by "The Three Faces of Eve", which came out the same year.

R19 wow! I didn't know that about Shirley Jackson. I have read one short story of hers,'The Lottery', and the only other things i knew about her is that she was American and that she was also the writer of 'The Haunting of Hill House' on which based the movie 'The Haunting'. 'The Lottery' shocked me, by the way!

I want to see 'Lizzie' since one God knows when, but now that i learned this extra info from you, i want to see it even more than any other time!

Thanks for sharing.

R3, many of the movies of hers you haven't seen are shown on TCM. I've seen WOMAN IN WHITE, VOICE OF THE TURTLE, ESCAPE ME NEVER and OF HUMAN BONDAGE on there and they've also aired VALLEY OF THE KINGS, VALENTINO and a few others.

And yes, Eleanor bangs all the way R6. If you have seen her in some of her movies, you can't but admit that!

Has anyone mentioned the magnificent Return to Peyton Place?

R21, i can't see them on TCM. As i read TCM is available in America, Canada with substitutions; international versions in Spain, Asia, Latin America, U.K. and Ireland. I'm not in any of those countries. Anyway, i'm not going to give up searching for them.

R23, yes we forgot to mention that. Actually, i'm a bit hesitant about 'Return to Peyton Place'. Lana Turner left her mark in 'Peyton Place', so in a way this movie is a bit haunted by her presence. Is 'Return to Peyton Place' as corny, intense and effective as 'Peyton Place' was?

She looks wonderful in what i suspect was a bitchy campy character. One more movie with her that i want to see...'An American Dream'

With her second husband Bert E. Friedlob (1950 Press Photo)

1958 Press Photo Actress Eleanor Parker cuddles 5-day-old son Paul Day Clemens

Eccch. He looks like a prize fighter.

R25, Eleanor is a so much better actress than Lana.

Eleanor Parker in 'Above and Beyond', 1952

I loved her in Interrupted Melody.

Has anyone seen the TV series Bracken's World? Really lousy show (I haven't seen it since 1969), of course, they made Eleanor play the secretary instead of an executive.

Eleanor is ravishing in The Naked Jungle. Even Chuck Heston, who was otherwise a douchebag, has a rugged, sexy charm in the film. His character was a bit of a repressed asshole, though.

Any dish on her relationship with Julie Andrews? I know it's sacrosanct to admit this, but I find Eleanor much more watchable than Julie in SOM. Eleanor owns every scene she's in. I think the Barroness is the most complex character in the film. You're not supposed to root for her, but Eleanor does a great job of letting some vulnerability filter through her cuntiness. Julie could never have pulled that off.

Lol R29. Ok! However, Lana could be surprisingly good some times. I know what you mean though...

R31, i loved her too in 'Interrupted Melody'. She did a magnificent job there.

R32, i have seen photos of Eleanor from that series but not the series. I hadn't that opportunity, but to be honest i'm not a series fan. The only series i really worship is 'Twin Peaks'. David Lynch rarely fails!

Add Nina Foch to the list of beauties of the 50s-60s that are largely forgotten.

R34 you were so right by writing 'Eleanor does a great job of letting some vulnerability filter through her cuntiness'. Actually, i find this critic amusingly correct. It made me smile. Lol!

R33, yes! In 'The Naked Jungle' Eleanor is at her sexiest and she delivers a very beautiful performance with her charm.

r34, while Christopher Plummer has nice things to say about Eleanor on the SOUND OF MUSIC DVD commentary, I don't think I've ever heard Julie even mention her name. And on that commentary, Julie does say warm things about Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, and Portia Nelson, so the omission does make you wonder whether maybe Julie doesn't have warm feelings toward Eleanor.

"Had I known your children were so musical I'd have brought my harmonica!"

"Darling, haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called boarding school?"

"You're far away. Where are you?"

"My dear, is there anything you can't do?"

"Something tall and frosty, Georg?"

[about pink lemonade] "Not too sweet, not too sour."

She has ALL the best lines in The Sound of Music.

Bad Julie! Lolz.

R36, Nina Foch was beautiful too, but not near as beautiful as Eleanor. However, people who love classic cinema will remember her somehow, or will learn about her sooner or later.

R20, the Jackson novel is called "The Bird's Nest"

What do you mean, r34, like did they have an affair?

Oh, ok R41, thanks for informing me.

:)

One of the reasons i remember fondly 'Escape from Fort Bravo' except for the magnetic Eleanor and the relatively nice chemistry she has with William Holden is this beautiful and nostalgic song.

'Soothe My Lonely Heart' by Jeff Alexander

Pure, lovely song, more heartfelt and powerful than the whole movie.

Somehow, she just never did it for me. I liked her in Detective Story, kind of, but a truly forgettable and rather generic actor in my book.

R45=Sinner

Shame!

Lolz

Caption for r46.

Eleanor whispers:

"Bill, I swear to God if you rub that enormous, mushroom headed, erect cock of yours against my ass one more time, I just might scream....or tell Audrey!"

Omg, R47 you are horrendous!

Stop it....what the hell, lol

Are you always so naughty?

I loved her when she sang, "The hills are alive with the sound of music".

In 'Three Secrets' she was also awesome. Nice movie, beautiful performances.

R49.... :)

Kisses my charming soft-hearted one ~

the original script had the baroness conspiring with the nazis in an effort to break up the captain and maria. robert wise had that cut because it would've made the baroness come off as too unsympathetique.

Oh really now. Eleanor Parker??? Ms. Overacting?

Next thing someone here will be starting a thread on Vera Hruba Ralston.

[quote]Every time i happen to see a movie with her i feel so beautiful just looking at her approaching her role

MARY!

Absolutely the queen of the tossing your hair as a statement school of acting.....which of course includes dropping your chin and racing your eyes from side to side to show that you are planning something....

Beautiful, cold and calculating....

"the original script had the baroness conspiring with the nazis in an effort to break up the captain and maria. robert wise had that cut because it would've made the baroness come off as too unsympathetique."

What's your source for this, r52?

I prefer Eleanor Powell.

Would love to have seen her onstage. I know she toured in Applause and did Night of the Iguana in LA. She also did Pal Joey in NYC but.....well, that didn't turn out too well (she walked out during previews).

To me, she's one of those actresses/stars (like Natalie Wood)... I don't think she's a great talent but, when she's on screen, you can't take your eyes off her. Plus she's ravishing (go ahead and give me a Mary, please for that because I deserve it).

A Hollywood bigwig said that she should have had a bigger career, but she didn't sleep with the right people. She was a better actress than many of her contemporaries, and so beautiful.

Maybe I'll Come Home In The Spring is on Amazon Prime.

She didn't age well.

I live in Palm Springs. Eleanor Parker lives just a few blocks away, on La Paz Way, in a very unassuming condo. I drive by it often, and have had fantasies about pushing my grocery cart down an asile at Ralphs, and suddenly seeing her - but it's never happened. From the little I know, she is like PS's Norma Desmond. A recluse, never goes to public functions, is never photographed as she looks now. I assume her hair is white, and maybe she's gained 100 lbs.(she is 91 !). Wish the Enquirer could get a shot - they used to put old stars pics in ' way they look today ' pages. Betty Hutton lived just a few blocks away, on Camino Real, in an even more ordinary apt. than anyone could imagine. Loretta Young lived 1 blk. from me, in her 'round house', Jane Wyman, less than a mile away. All the classic screen queens seem to end up here - along with Barry, Liberace, and us ordinary ones. Alice Faye, Ginger Rogers - even the daughters of screen queens- both Lorna Luft (Judy's kid), and the infamous ( and very nice) Cheryl Crane ( Lana's kid) live here. I agree, it's too bad she has not put herself out there, to receive the accolades, and praise from Hollywood, and the fans that love her.

I so appreciate this thred, OP, but still no one has been able to begin to answer the most vexing question of why Eleanor Parker is not even mentioned when the cast reunites from time to time. Her contribution to SOM was enormous and to have her be so ignored by her castmates is truly unforgivable. I can certainly understand Ms. Parker's refusal to join these anniversary celebrations, but it boggles the mind why she she seemingly has been stricken from the record books and their memories when it comes to discussion of the film among the principals. Someone must know WHYYYYYYYY!!!!

Well....is Peggy Wood mentioned? Is Richard Haydn mentioned? Is Norma Varden mentioned?

R34, you have no idea of the definition of "sacrosanct."

r63, see r38

Is R61 really Lee Patrick or is that a joke?

If it is really you, Lee, you were GREAT in that movie!

R61, she probably weighs 100 lbs - not gained 100 lbs. old people fade away.

R57, I like that old lesbian Eleanor Powell too , different thread.

A number of her co-stars and friends have written about her in their memoirs, and they all liked her. Patricia Neal, in particular, thought she had an infectious, tart sense of humor. Evidently she was even prettier in person. She's very good in Detective Story (though Wyler tended to bring out the best in his performers). She was married to a portrait painter, Paul Clemens, who ended up in Hollywood, became fashionable for a time, and was even mentioned by name, reverentially, in a movie. His picture of a girl, the character Debbie Reynolds plays as a young woman, becomes a point of comic contention between her parents, long divorced and now reunited for her wedding (Fred Astaire and Lilli Palmer). The movie was The Pleasure of His Company. He must have been a friend of the director.

It was so easy for her to charm you...wasn't it?

I read all your comments with much pleasure, guys.

R68, for some reason i believe that Patricia Neal was certainly compatible with Eleanor. I can imagine them talking to each other and laughing.

She was even more beautiful than a young Roger Moore in Interrupted Melody

Hehehe R71

Yeah, Eleanor Parker has been enchanting, really captivating

With Clark Gable

Eleanor Parker and Françoise Rosay enjoy a pause from filming 'The Seventh Sin'

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L oh yeah!

I wonder if Errol Flynn made a pass at her during the two movies they did together. These movies were Never Say Goodbye' and 'Escape Me Never'

On the set of 'Scaramouche'(1952)

Sexy Eleanor!

Adorable too with doggies

She can't be forgotten. Noooooo way!

Eleanor Parker, Ernest Borgnine, and Susan Hayward group together for a little photo-up after the nominations for the upcoming 28th Academy Awards was announced, 1956.

'Scaramouche' pleasure...

With Robert Taylor, her favourite co-star

Eleanor Parker’s foreword in How Your Mind Can Keep You Well: An Introduction to Stress Management (1971) by Roy Masters.

The Baroness we adored...

Eleanor Parker, in 'Never Say Goodbye' (1946).

I often confuse her with Greer Garson. They look a lot alike.

Christopher: You made a mistake coming here.

Joanna: No, I was looking for something. And I was willing to risk anything to find it.

(From 'The Naked Jungle')

R87, hmmm, i haven't thought of that before.

Eleanor in 'The Naked Jungle' blow our eyes out. A strong magnet she was

I envy the people on this thread who have TCM. I can't afford it and it hurts because I immensely love old movies. BTW, Eleanor Park was gorgeous! Someone told me they are starting to show movies from the 70s and and 80s on TCM?! What the hell?! Are they trying to ruin the TCM channel like they did to AMC which is reduced to complete garbage? They have an extremely gross show coming on AMC about freaks living under one roof. For example, a guy who is covered in piercings all over his face! I warn you, it will make you puke.

Wasn't she so street smart and yummy as Lenore in 'Scaramouche'?

A more aggressive view of R82...

' Things have a way of working out right for me. I’ve had no real hard knocks, career-wise. I never did any starving in an attic. I come from a money-less background of schoolteachers and farmers in and around Cleveland. Doors opened though. I maintain that if you work, believe in yourself and do what is right for you, without stepping all over others, the way opens up.' — Eleanor Parker

R90 i feel the same as you. I also worship old movies and TCM so far has a very good reputation. So, they really started showing 80's movies there? At least, it would be something if they decided to show really good 80's movies.

*sighs

Behind the scenes of The Sound of Music.

The Naked Jungle is a fantastic movie. I watched it when I was kid. I love to observe these movie sets and look at the antiques they used for the sets, which were just gorgeous!

Does anyone know what with happened these exquisite movie props? I am aware that Debbie Reynolds said the studios threw a lot of stuff away in the studio dumpsters ,which Is completely insane and uncompromisable! But I always wondered what happened with many other props, like the props that were on the TV show, Wild, Wild West. They had some gorgeous antique pieces on that show.

BTW, dose anyone know if a biography was written on Elanor Parker? or did she write her memoirs? I would love to read about her.

Debbie Reynolds wrote a continuation book to her first autobiography that is coming out this month or next month. One of the things that Debbie is going to bring up is her Hollywood costume and movie memorabilia that was auctioned off. The book is being ordered in various libraries if anyone is interested? You might want to check your local libraries. I just thought I should let fellow lovers of classic movies know about the recent memoirs coming out by classic movie stars. Also, Rita Moreno is coming out with her memoirs in about a month or so as well. The libraries have ordered that book too.

R96, actually there is a book about Eleanor which is called 'Eleanor Parker: Woman of a Thousand Faces' written by by Doug McClelland

Unfortunately in Amazon.uk this book costs £30.35. and in Amazon.com $38.50. So far, it's pretty expensive for a book and i don't understand that logic.

Eleanor Parker at the 50th Annual Academy Awards rehearsal in 1978, photographed by Ron Galella.

WOW! R97, you are sweet! I will look into that.

:) R99, i'm glad you took a little pleasure from that.

Gorgeous Eleanor Parker was one of Warners’ rare commodities— a delicate, blue-eyed beauty with a chameleon-like ability to transform herself into any character the studio assogned her to play. Equally adept at romantic comedy (Voice of the Turtle) and tense melodrama (Caged), Eleanor was labeled by publicists as “the Woman of a thousand Faces”.

Yet for all her skills, Eleanor never attained the superstardom that critics and even colleagues anticipated. Part of the fault lies with Warners, which often assigned her poor vehicles. It also didn’t help Eleanor’s cause that she didn’t play the Hollywood game: She preferred spending an evening at home with her family to being photographed in nightclub. Neither was she one for doing cheesecake shots of giving out endless interviews to fan magazines. With such a publicity-shy nature, she wasn’t likely to get the same sort of build-up by Warners that someone like Ann Sheridan received. — The women of Warner Brothers: the lives and careers of 15 leading ladies

Perhaps if more people were interested in your monopolizing conversations, you'd have more friends.

Actually i sent most of the photos from this beautiful blog which is dedicated to Eleanor Parker. It's so hopeful and beautiful to see that there are people out there who appreciate beauty through time.

Enjoy more of her

This fan made a really good work. Congratulations whoever you are!

RE 98 - That pic was from 35 years ago. I would love to see something after '91, which I guess is when she did her last acting gig, on " Murder She Wrote". At 91 years old, she could be in a wheelchair, have a walker, who knows ? Just curious.

She was on Fantasy Island once.

She is amazing in "Lizzie!" Far better, I think, than Joanne Woodward in "3 Faces of Eve." Not a great movie, but you can actually see her change personalities with her back facing the camera. And, she's brilliant in "Caged." One of my all time favorite movies.

R103, i don't think that Eleanor would like us to see her at her 90's, otherwise she would make a public appearance. I'm not curious to see how she looks like now, but i would love to know that she is holding on. No matter how she looks like, or in what condition she is nowdays, i deeply respect her for the moments she offered me beyond the screen. I'm sure that a lot of people feel this way about that.

R101, i'm really speechless with your comments about poor me. Really!

R104, i checked out what you wrote and you are damn right. Eleanor Parker was in that series too.

R105, you are among the lucky ones. You have seen 'Lizzie'!

Grrrr....i hope i'll manage to see it someday

"She's Dressed to Kill" with GOWNS by TRAVILLA!

Why has no one even attempted to answer the question of why she has become persona non grata among the SOM cast?

R90, you are right, AMC was ruined. TMC has shown some 80's movies a few times, hopefully it was just a random thing. It's to0 bad the old movie aren't shown late night on regular TV like they used to be.

By the way, I loved Bracken's World!

Sadly for me, some of TCM's most interesting showings, little known films from the early 1930s, are mostly just shown in the weekday mornings or late at night, times I can't be watching.

R110, I totally agree with you. I too miss when they use to showed old movies late at night on regular TV. Not too long ago, I can't remember what actress, said Hollywood know is in a complete mess and run by people in their 20s and 30s who don't know what the hell they are doing ,and they are very arrogant. She said they have ruined Hollywood big time,and this new crowd that runs Hollywood does major age discrimination. they want everyone to be around the 20 to 30 something age group.

The stars years ago, for example, like Clark Gable and Gary Cooper to name a few, were real mature manly men with experience verses these very young pewees playing roles which call for a Clark Gable, Glenn Ford, etc. type of a male actor.

R108, wow, i really enjoyed that campy video. Eleanor rocks all the way, she is cute and campy and funny. Nice, thanks for sending it. Cool!

R109, if they really didn't mention Eleanor Parker, i'm not interested in that kind of people anymore. Julie Andrews, maybe is not as good as she appears to be. By the way, when i was reading the Rock Hudson biography written by Jerry Oppenheimer, i read that while Rock was making 'Darling Lili' with Julie Andrews and her husband, director Blake Edwards, he wasn't satisfied at all with the way this couple treated him. There was clearly dissatisfaction whenever Rock had to speak about that film and by the way Blake Edwards didn't think much of Rock Hudson as an actor. He told that he wanted Rock to play that part although he knew that his acting abilities were limited. He said that he didn't take something more or less that Rock Hudson and that he hadn't a problem with that...

What a pity if Julie Andrews isn't as positive as her on-screen roles. I wish that is all a misunderstanding...

Hey, i love Eleanor Parker too. She is so interesting and beautiful in her movies. i have seen many films with her and i liked her always in them

I would love to see "Eye of the Cat" again. I saw it as a kid a hundred years ago. I may be just remembering it through a child's eye, but it was one of my favorites.

Oh yeah, R115 i would love to see this movie too. It would be great.

TCM's movie request/suggestion page

Thanks for the link, R116.

I was lucky enough to have seen the theatrical version. It was a few years after its release, but my father was in the Navy and we lived on base in Kauai. There was an outdoor theater that showed movies every night that my brother and I would go to. Back then, parents didn't care that their pre-teen kids were out roaming around alone at night, especially on a military base. I remember this movie especially along with "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Berserk!"

You were indeed lucky R118(R115). Cinema is magic and you were there beyond the big silver screen! :)

Nice movies the ones you mentioned. I have seen 'Bonnie and Clyde' and 'Berserk' and i enjoyed them especially the second one...lol, unforgettable Joan. Actually, the reason i liked 'Bonnie and Clyde' was mostly Faye Dunaway. Faye, incredible Faye.

I managed to see those two movies on DVD but i hadn't the luck to find 'Eye of the Cat' so far. However, i want to see it so much!

Eleanor Parker as Sylvia Caldwell (Bracken’s World, 1969-1970)

Didn't Rock out Julie and Blake Edwards?

R121 in the Rock Hudson biography i read, it wasn't written such a thing. Actually, Rock was known for exaggerating with his stories to his friends sometimes just for fun so, maybe he said that to one of them, who knows? You think Julie was a goat to Blake Edwards or the opposite? Hehe...

Eleanor Parker & Camilla Sparv

Running towards...

from 'Lizzie'

R123, that clipping appeared thirty-five years ago today. Surely it's too current for this thread.

Many, many years ago, a group of us decided to watch THE SOUND OF MUSIC while tripping and became utterly focused on The Baroness. At one point we decided we were going to print up T shirts that read "PARKERFEST" in the front and on the back read: "Eleanor - Fess - Al!"

I wish we had actually done it. All those guys are gone now.

Give it up, R126; the odds are that they wouldn't have left you the tee shirts.

R126 how cool that you and your friends thought of that! It doesn't matter that you didn't do it at the end. It was a sweet thought anyway.

:)

Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun. Auf Wiedersehen, darling.

One of my favourite films with her is 'The Pride of the Marines' with John Garfield.

This is a great thread, thanks for all of the titles and photos from her movies. I don't think I've ever seen her outside SOM, which has always been one of my favorites, and she hands down my favorite character.

As a kid, I never understood how Georg chose plain Maria with the ugly clothes and dutch boy haircut over the sexy, glamorous Baroness. He could have had the perfect set up, keep Maria to mother the kids, and keep the Baroness for all the fun.

I loved the suit with the bow at her hip she wore in the scene by the lake where she gets a look at the kids and Maria for the first time.

Lol R131, yes Georg chose Maria over the Baroness, how psychotic of him, eh? Anyway, i'm sure that you will enjoy Eleanor's sex appeal in 'The Naked Jungle' and in 'Scaramouche' as well.

Kisses!

AND LOL R129! GREAT QUOTE AND PHOTO!

At bitchy as the Baroness was and how she manipulated Maria to leave, the character bowed out of the situation pretty gracefully when she realized it was a lost cause.

Yeppers, R134. :)

Vintage photo Eleanor Parker with Julie Andrews and Charmian Carr (On the set of 'The Sound of Music'

Well, it was only Julie's third movie.

Hmm R136, yes you are right! It was also the first movie of Charmian Carr, the actress who played Liesl, the older child of Captain von Trapp in the movie.

Interesting trivia about Charmian Charr:

. She was working as a physician's assistant when she was cast in 'The Sound of Music'

. While publicizing The Sound of Music after its release, Carr met Jay A. Brent, whom she married on May 21, 1967. She retired from acting to raise her two daughters, Jennifer and Emily, and to establish an interior design company. The marriage was dissolved in 1991; Carr has not remarried.

. Runs her business Charmian Carr Designs - among her clients was Michael Jackson, who gave her an interior-decorating job because he was a big fan of The Sound of Music (1965)

. Beat out Geraldine Chaplin, Patty Duke, Mia Farrow and Sharon Tate for her role in The Sound of Music (1965).

. She has written two books, Forever Liesl and Letters to Liesl.

. The only other movie in which she appeared is 'Evening Primrose', a one-hour musical(TV movie) written by Stephen Sondheim, which aired on ABC Stage 67 in 1966. The male lead was Anthony Perkins.

Not even Charmian Charr mentioned Eleanor Parker, when she reunited with all of her co-stars from 'The Sound of Music' on The Oprah Winfrey Show? If that is the case then...she was and she probably still is ignorant. Period. Lol

Excuse me, i had to say that too!

Unrelated, but reagarding you your comments regarding TMC...I love classic movies as well, and recognize the benefit of TMC, especially for the younger generation. Im in my late 40's, but have a fairly decent knowledge of old Hollywood and I find it amazing and disturbing that the younger generations are CLUELESS. I had a friend visit several months ago and I was watching Some Like It Hot...he made a comment about the gorgeous blonde in the movie. I looked at him in disbelief and said that was Marilyn Monroe...He shook his head and just said "WOW...I always heard her name, but I didnt know who she was". Hes in his mid 30's. I can only imagine what kind of knowledge the younger generations of actors and actresses have regarding the profession they claim they were destined for. Its very sad.Like the OP that claimed on another thread that he had no idea who the Beatles were...

And yes, Eleanor Parker is STUNNING.

Your friend sounds like he grew up in a box. On a mountaintop.

I meant to say "lack of knowledge"...sorry

140...I agree. However, It disturbs me that Ive become more and more aware that the younger generation are truly clueless regarding any form of cultural history...be it films, music, literature, whatever...I even have gay friends, who when you mention certain names (i.e. Barbara Stanwyck), they say...that TV show "Big Valley", but ask about her films and they have no idea she had such a long and diverse career...or mention Joan Crawford, and they think Mommie Dearest with no knowledge of her film work...I just find it disenheartening.

One of the of the few stars from the "golden era" who is still alive.

Caged is on right now on TCM. Did not feel like starting a new thread.

You notice how beautiful Eleanor was?

Hope Emerson, OTOH, was decidedly NOT.

Is she TCM's 'star of the month' cuz they showed Eleanor movies last Monday into Tuesday and, again, tonite into tomorrow.

I set my DVR for Lizzie! Never seen it.

I agree with the person who compared her to Natalie Wood. Can't take your eyes off her but, is she a great actress? Not really. I do think Caged and SOM were her best performances.

Excuse me, I've got to get back to Interrupted Melody now.

Yes she is the Star of the Month. INTERRUPTED MELODY is my favorite. She does an amazing job lip synching in that one

"I know it's sacrosanct to admit this, but I find Eleanor much more watchable than Julie in SOM.'

I think you meant to say it was apocryphal (interestingly, the polar opposite of sacrosanct) to admit that.

Parker's reportedly waaaay over-the-top bitch role in AN AMERICAN DREAM will be on TCM next Tuesday (6/25) at 7:45am.

Set your DVRs!

R146 agreed. lip synching is tough enough but lip synching OPERA? it was pretty flawless.

And she really was gorgeous. I think '55 she was at the height of her beauty.

Like so much velvet....

I am on a personal crusade to get Eye of the Cat on DVD. I have a very washed out print that I cherish, and everyone I show it to is amazed.

I haven't seen CAT in years. When they showed it on TV it was in an altered version that ruined a lot of the suspense, particularly in the climax.

I would love to see the original version sometime. I'm surprised it never shows up on cable.

By ALL means watch "An American Dream" next week on TCM!!! In her first scene, she's in bed with a young, hot, and shirtless Jerry Douglas, years before he played John Abbott on "The Young and the Restless"! If you want to see Ms. Parker's bare boob, she accidentally bares a nipple as she turns over in bed (play your DVR in slo-mo) and there it is!! I found this out years ago on the IMDB website!! Anyway, she steals the show from everyone, and once she leaves the story, the movie goes downhill.

THANK YOU TCM, for realizing what a natural treasure this lady is- she should get an honorary Oscar!

BTW, she does answer fan mail- I have several autographed photos of the dear lady!

Today is Ms. Parker's 91st birthday.

Yes, omg Kitty you are right!

Happy Birthday to you Eleanor. We love you lady.

You moved us with your performances and with your beauty. You are unforgettable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEANOR PARKER

YOU'VE BEEN AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU SHINED ELEANOR.

91 years young, bitches, and I will be hanging on as long as it takes to outlive that cunt Julie Andrews! It's Julie who insists that all the official SOUND OF MUSIC commemorations and reunions completely ignore me. She can bite my fucking twat!

Loooolz Eleanor!

I love you soooo much~

Her birthday was NOT mentioned in 'Birthday Sluts' on Dlisted.com

How dare they ignore Marie Allen.

Somebody over there is gonna get a haircut over this slight.

For R158 aka Evelyn Harper...

AND ONE MORE TIME HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAREST ELEANOR PARKER!

Ok, line up for Eleanor's birthday you tramps.

When I first saw CAGED twenty years ago I thought it was high camp. When I watched it last week I found it disturbing and upsetting. Great cast, especially Parker. My favorite line is when she's leaving prison: "Thanks for the haircut."

Parker was nominated for an Oscar but was up against Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Judy Holliday, etc.

She did win Best Actress for CAGED at the Venice Film Festival.

Why did she and Glenn Ford get divorced??

Watched "Lizzie" the other night. She was fabulous. So much better, IMHO than Joanne Woodward, who won an Oscar for " 3 Faces Of Eve". She's so freakin believable as the slutish Lizzie, contrasting the shy Elizabeth.

Glenn Ford was married to Eleanor Powell....so he couldn't have divorced Eleanor Parker.

I saw Caged on tv when I was about 10 (it was a Channel 5 Sunday afternoon movie). Scared the shit out of me. When I was a bit older, I saw the camp value but now I'm back to being scared shitless again.

Parker said in an interview that Hope Emerson was a lovely woman who used to play the piano during breaks and was concerned about her mother's health.

The scene where Emerson is dressed to the nines telling the women about the date she's headed out for is priceless.

"If that's what they're dressing like on the outside, I'm glad I'm in here"

Notorious Eleanor!

With Charlton Heston...a kind of kiss

Beautiful hands, beautiful lady

Eleanor in 'The Sweet Smell of Failure'

Eleanor Parker Original 1952 On Set Behind Scenes MGM Photo, 'Scaramouche'

Sexy profile.

Eleanor rocked!

She's Dressed To Kill (1983)

!!!!!!

1972 Eleanor Parker Actress Sally Field Jill Haworth Press Photo

Caught "Between Two Worlds" the other night on TCM. Quirky little film. Sydney Greenstreet played a GOOD guy, for once. Isobel Elsom was a hoot, very much the grande dame. I could see Charles Busch doing that part. Eleanor was radiant, but man oh man, what a scenery chewer.Is it true she was brought into the studio so as to scare Ava Gardner? Not as sultry, but she could've given Ava a run for her money.

Bumping this because I'm sick of seeing Miss Parker have to share billing with people like Martha Hyer in the current thread on the front page - she deserves her OWN chance to shine!!

You are absolutely right R176.

Eleanor Parker is a great lady.

With 'Marta' and 'Kurt' from The Sound of Music

1958 Press Photo Actress Eleanor Parker cuddles 5-day-old son Paul Day Clemens

How moving and talented!

Luscious

Eleanor Parker with Anthony Dexter in 'Valentino'(1951)

Eleanor Parker passed away today. She was 91. She left many memorable performances behind. RIP.

Just when she was going to be invited to the next reunion! Life is cruel.

Oh God, that was terribly news. I just found out. I still wish the best for her because she has been really wonderful and amazing. Have a nice life Mrs Eleanor Parker wherever you are now...

Former Sound of Music co-star Christopher Plummer was very sad to hear of Parker's passing and released a statement on Parker's death: Eleanor Parker was and is one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever known. Both as a person and as a beauty. I hardly believe the sad news for I was sure she was enchanted and would live forever.

Julie Andrews has released a statement.

"She was a cunt who didn't understand that she wasn't the star. But she did sell me some perfume cheap once.

Oh Julie, you'll make a fine cunt.

Julie my dear as it comes to beauty and charm you couldn't hold a candle to Eleanor. As an actress Eleanor was the woman of a thousand faces unlike you. You always played the insipid, humorous good woman.

r189. That is director William Keighley and actors Dane Clark and John Garfield surrounding Eleanor. They did a radio version of "Pride Of The Marines."

You are right R190. :) You are very well-informed.

Eleanor Parker died, she didn't "pass away" unless you're in church.

R92 i don't understand why you wrote that. Anyway...i think that your comment was a bit, or just very out of place.

*R192 and not R92.

Eleanor Parker 1922 - 2013

I love you!

Thanks for keeping me such a good company with your movies. Many people feel the same about you. I hope you knew and you know.

Why the book Eleanor Parker: Woman of a Thousand Faces is still so expensive? The price years now doesn't say to come down! Shame!

Yes, R196. It's definitely a shame and i don't understand the reason as well. It's preposterous.

She was not just The Baroness from the Sound of Music.

This tribute is lovely and has many beautiful moments of Eleanor. She is radiant and unforgettable.

R199 wonderful tribute for a wonderfully charming woman.

TCM Remembers 'Sound of Music' Actress Eleanor Parker with Marathon Programming December 17 (OBIT ROUNDUP)

In all seriousness, did Julie Andrews issue any type of statement?

Well R201, i just found out that she did. However, it came a little late, don't you think? I mean now that she died Andrews and Plummer remembered Eleanor? It's a bit hypocritical if you ask me. However, i'm happy that both they were forced to acknowledge Eleanor Parker's presence.

It Eleanor Parker day on TCM. "Of Human Bondage" is on now.

"Caged" is scheduled at 11:45 EST.

I think it was Eleanor Parker's own choice to stay out of the limelight. If she'd wanted to give interviews about the Sound of Music she'd have done it. It was very nice of Plummer and Andrews to immediately comment considering their reps were probably contacted as soon as the news broke, and that both of their quotes were in the first reports out there.

I've never seen all that many photos of her off-set from Sound of Music - just a few of her getting her make-up done and one that looks like her looking over a script with Julie Andrews. When I rewatch the movie she seems to have a very fun connection with Richard Haydn (Max) - very relaxed and natural, not so affected/artificial. If you watch the construction of some scenes she's very funny on facial expressions alone - one is when the engagement is announced to the kids - she hits so many different beats, all of them perfect. Registering/ignoring that her fiance' is less than enthusiastic, quick side-eyes to Max, trying to be positive and sweet with the kids, she plays the awkward of it all perfectly, the overcompensating perfectly, and underneath it all it's taking its toll. She could be an acting tutorial in reaction shots. A perfectly judged performance. Her comic timing is underrated - she's quite funny.

And it seems like one of the boys is whispering something in her ear that causes her to react...it is very funny....

r205, if you mean Kurt, I always thought it was supposed to be that he was holding the kiss on the cheek a little too long to his blossoming adolescent curiosity about women, and that's why the Captain sort of shoos him away. Have I been interpreting that moment wrong all these years? How do other people on here see it?

And I agree with r204, Parker's performance in that movie is very funny.

r204, first off, MARY! Second, I totally agree. She's quite funny and winds up stealing scenes from Dame Julie.

She was, no Eleanor Parker always is very special in her movies. A classy woman and actress.

Her Baroness character just shy of Eva and Zsa Zsa but without the nose job of Zsa Zsa's. Did Eva have her nose done as well?

Lol 209, crazy squirrel!

J'adore Eleanor Parker.

A very charming Eleanor in a wheeling chair for a scene in 'Eye of the Cat'(1969). She was 47 years old back then. t

She was far more sexier and feminine than most of the actresses are today.

Oh, this goes so far back, but I remember reading when Eleanor Parker was photographed with Edward Villela (the ballet great, who took over the Miami Ballet) and I think the two were supposed to be in a project together that got squashed, maybe a Pal Joey revival. As for the Baroness in SOM, it is true that her character along with Max had a song in the original stage version titled "There's No Way to Stop It," as in, no way to stop political change coming to Austria. I think Max and Elsa would have found a way out of the country.

Here's a young Eleanor at her first gig at Emirates Airline. She recycled the uniform for her car scene with Georg and Max.

Her kid starred in Killer Klowns From Outer Space and Hardbodies

Bump