Flickgrrl

While I love "All That Heaven Allows," I think I prefer the Sirk/Wyman "Magnificent Obsession" (by an inch or two). I'd also mention her very decent performance in "Magic Town." Oh, yes, and "Here Comes The Groom."

What I'm curious about, though, is "The Bamboo Cross," the Ford-directed television thing Wyman made in the '50s. Have you seen it?

I'm a total sucker for "Magnificent Obsession," and actually prefer it, but its pay-it-forward theology doesn't sit well with many viewers. Don't know anything about "The Bamboo Cross." My first exposure to Wyman was as Pollyanna's aunt.

For some biazrre reason, I love her in "Night and Day." Also her supporting turns in "The Lost Weekend" and "So Big." But just about everyone (at least all the women) are great in "So Big." Kinda have a soft spot for what she did with Bing Crosby, too.

She was terrific as polly Harrington.

I rented "Miracle in the Rain" a few weeks ago, and Jane Wyman was AMAZING in it--she was probably about a decade too old for the role, but she made it work. Great flick, great actress! "Miracle in the Rain" made me weep! One of Jane's best performances was in "The Blue Veil," but apparently that movie has some sort of copyright problems and hasn't been shown anywhere in years. All the obits are emphasizing her marriage to Reagan, but Wyman had an amazing career and was one the top boxoffice stars of the late 40s/early 50s. Sad day for film buffs!

"Miracle in the Rain," the plot of which I won't spoil for those who haven't seen it, is like one of those melodramas the movie-mad character in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" breathlessly recounts for his cellmate. I never warmed to Wyman as I did to Ida Lupino or Barbara Stanwyck -- always thought of her as a little too much of the goody-goody. But for 100 % pasteurized, wholesome American femininity, Wyman is unsurpassed.

Carrie --

Longtime reader and fan (from the Mademoiselle days -- I may still have some magazines in a box in the rec room).

Years ago, I saw The Blue Veil and it made a great impression. Would LOVE to see it again to see if it holds up. Wish TCM would get the rights.

Also have a very soft spot for Here Comes the Groom (In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening is way too catchy for its own good), Pollyanna and Brother Rat.

I think I prefer Wyman in her early gal reporter roles. She had sass then, whereas the later star vehicles tended to be a little logy. (Admittedly, my opinion is influenced by the fact that I much prefer John Stahl's original versions of the movies that Douglas Sirk later re-made, one of them being "Magnificent Obsession.")

WWolfe,

I, too prefer the sincerity of Stahl's "Imitation of Life" and "Magnificent Obsession" to Sirk's melodramatic updates, but they're all pretty damn good movies. I always think of Stahl as a Depression Modern director whose films were redecorated in the Atomic Populuxe style by Sirk. And however much I know that the Claudette Colbert/Louise Beavers "Imitation" is the superior film, Sirk's redo with Lana Turner/Juanita Moore makes me bawl louder and longer. Go figure.

Like Joe, I get a lot of pleasure out of Wyman's performance in "The Lost Weekend" -- something which I should have mentioned in my initial post. I particularly like that flashback to Milland's initial encounter with Wyman, where we learn that Wyman works for Time Magazine. Her dry advice to Milland: "If Henry Luce answers, hang up."