"...this movie was filmed during one of the worst periods of her life, when she found herself dealing with another personal tragedy. Halfway through the filming of Swell Guy, her mother died, which we also discussed in our intro post. They had come to California together from New York via the national touring company of Watch on the Rhine, and were seldom apart.
If trouble matures us, she’d had plenty. Ann Blyth was 17 years old, and would turn 18 before filming completed. She played older in this movie, a young woman perhaps in her early twenties, a bored and restless small town rich girl, a hard drinker, sexually promiscuous, whose grim and fatalistic outlook on life would have likely made this role a fulfilling challenge for any actress. For someone who’d been through what Ann had, one might hope it may have offered an emotional outlet, as going back to work after her mother’s illness and death would have been a horrific struggle..."
THERE ARE 6 DAYS LEFT to my Kickstarter campaign - looking for backers to raise funds for upcoming book on Ann Blyth's career - principally to offset costs of fees to obtain never or rarely seen photos in libraries, museums, and newspaper files. Thanks to all who can help.
Click here to back the project.
My thanks to anyone who may share this post on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or social media of your choice, or just pass a note in gym class.
I am interviewed by John Hayes at his blog Robert Frost's Banjo on the Ann Blyth series and upcoming book here.
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