Greer Garson is one of my favorites, especially from the 1940s. I'm not sure what exactly is it about her. She's the total opposite of bitchy divas like Joan and Bette that are my usual favorites. I guess it's that quality of a great British lady, a kind, gentle motherly figure. Mrs Miniver herself! Greer was like that in real life and in most of her movies. So yeah, in a way like Deborah Kerr (also one of my favorites) but more glamorous.
As already mentioned, she was one of MGM's late 30s European discoveries when LB Mayer went to Europe to search for talent. Greer was very hesitant about abandoning her successful London theater career and moving to the US. LB had to do a lot of convincing and in the end Greer managed to get a much better financial offer and accept it. Her mother was her constant companion and adviser so they moved together and lived together. It took a few years before MGM figured out what to do with her. She was ready to pack and go back to UK when they finally cast her in Goodbye , Mr Chips which brought her great reviews and put her on the map. Greer had an amazing, almost unparalleled run from 1941 until 1947 when all of her movies were outstanding box office smashes and critical dears. She got 5 consecutive Oscar nominations, winning for Mrs Miniver. These movies are also her best so for anyone who wants to discover some of her works, they are my recommendations.
Blossoms in the Dust (1941) - first movie with Walter Pidgeon, her constant on screen partner (made 8 pictures together). The true story of
Edna Gladney, who helped orphaned children find homes and began a campaign to remove the word "illegitimate" from Texas birth certificates, despite the opposition of "good" citizens.
When Ladies Meet (1941) - Greet and Joan together in a movie! Certainly a must see for that fact alone. Greer was not interested in any sort of feuds or rivalries so she elegantly ignored Joan's baits and attempts to cause drama. I have seen this one long time ago so I need to rewatch it but I remember enjoying it.
Mrs.Miniver (1942) - Greer's best known movie and ultimate triumph. The highest grossing picture of 1942 (8.9 million $), winner of 6 Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Actress etc). One of my favorites, great cast and perfect in every sense. A movie that helped a lot with convincing American public to support US entering the war. Norma Shearer was first considered for the role but did not want to play a mother of grown up son. Greer had no such problems and even ended up marrying the actor.
Random Harvest (1942) - Another Greer trimph and fan favorite. A romantic drama with all sorts of soap twists and turns and Greer is at her most ravishing in this. Ronald Colman is great in his role of a
shellshocked,
amnesiac World War I soldier and his and Greer's soothing voices are perfectly matched. Made almost as much money as Mrs Miniver ($8,147,000) which is almost unheard of to have such 2 successes in the same year. Got 7 nominations but lost all to Mrs Miniver.
Madame Curie (1943) - the story of Polish-French physicist
Marie Curie in 1890s Paris as she begins to share a laboratory with her future husband,
Pierre Curie. Really interesting and well made, showing the struggle and sacrifice of scientists. More Walter Pidgeon, box office gold ($4,610,000) and Oscar nods for Greer.
Mrs.Parkington (1944) - tells the story of a woman's life, told via
flashbacks, from boarding house maid to society matron. Greer goes brunette for this, which I don't think looked so good on her. The audinces did not seem to mind since this was another smash, earning $5,631,000 and bringing Greer another nod. Interesting to note that this was released the same year as Bette's Mr. Skeffington for which she was also nominated and that both actresses go from young to very old in these two, overlong movies.
The Valley of Decision (1945) - Another of my Greer favorites, a Cinderella like story of a maid who gets into a romance with the rich heir, played by young Gregory Peck. A massive hit ( made $8,096,000 ), this movie has something from everyone, from big manor goings-on to miners strike and grumpy Lionel Barrymore.
Adventure (1946) - "Gable's back and Garson's got him!" . This was a tagline used by MGM to promote this movie which was Gable's first postwar film and quite an event for all involved. The result is somehow uneven, a movie that doesn't seem to know if it wants to be a drama or comedy. Apparently Garson and Gable did not get along that well, though there no incidents. The movie was somehow seen as a disappointment even though it made a healthy $6.1 million . Still worth checking out, plus Joan Blondell's in it as well.
Adventure also marks the end of Greer's golden period because after this came the utter disaster that was
Desire Me (1947), a movie that had a lot of behind the scenes drama with many director changes ( in the end it was released without a credited director ), many rewrites and delays and even Greer almost drowning during one scene set in the ocean. When finally released , because of its high production cost, it suffered a net loss of $2,440,000 .
By the late 40s times were changing and Greer's WW2 image was not as popular and attractive to audiences so her movies made less money and were more moderate successes. My favorites from this period are probably
That Forsyte Woman (1949), a costume drama with Errol Flynn, in gorgeous Technicolour. I also love her first movie she made after leaving MGM, in 1955, at Warners,
Strange Lady in Town, a western about a small town doctor , the original Dr Quinn the medicine woman you might say.
By this point, Greer was married to a
Texas oilman
E.E. "Buddy" Fogelson and lived in Texas so her career slowed down. The two would remained married until his death. She did have one final triumph as Eleanor Roosevelt, in 1960's
Sunrise at Campobello, her final Oscar nomination.
By all accounts Greer was a beloved figure on the MGM lot and in the industry in general. From what I've read, she was really treated like a Queen at Metro, and she had her very British habits and rituals like tea at 5 o'clock every day on set etc. But she was no diva and the crews loved her. Plus she loved pulling pranks and making jokes. The media was also very kind and respectful to her, in general. Even her marriage to a much younger man who played her son in Mrs. Miniver , which could have been controversial, was not able to hurt her image or career. From some interviews I've read, she sounds like a highly intelligent, eloquent woman who knew what she wanted in career and life. Ultimately, she lived a long and happy life, never losing her mind, path or dignity, something quite rare in Hollywood.
