Turner Classic Movies will present a four-film tribute to Jennifer Jones, who died yesterday at the age of 90, on Thursday, Jan. 7, beginning at 5 p.m. (PT). The four films are:
Duel in the Sun (above, 1946), a campy Western in which Jones plays a fiery "half-breed" desired by two brothers, dour Joseph Cotten and smirky Gregory Peck. Veteran King Vidor was one of the men who directed this attempt by David O. Selznick — Jones was his protegee and future wife — to achieve two goals with one single megaproduction: to create another Gone with the Wind and to transform his beloved Jennifer into a superstar. Selznick failed on both counts even though Duel in the Sun turned out to be a major blockbuster, one condemned as evil and sinful by the Catholic Church, while Jones earned her fourth consecutive Academy Award nomination. Also in the Duel in the Sun cast: Lionel Barrymore, Lillian Gish, Herbert Marshall, Walter Huston and Butterfly McQueen.
Beat the Devil (1954), a flop starring Jones, Humphrey Bogart, and Gina Lollobrigida, written by Truman Capote and directed by John Huston. Wearing a weird blond wig, Jones is at her weakest here as a pathological liar. Though poorly received upon its release, this Maltese Falcon send-up has obtained quite a cult following. Also in the cast: Peter Lorre, Edward Underdown, and Robert Morley.
Madame Bovary (1949), Vincente Minnelli's lush but dramatically unexciting version of Gustave Flaubert’s tale of a woman (Jones, above, with Alf Kjellin) who throws husband and social standing to the dogs in order to go after the man she loves. James Mason (as Flaubert), Van Heflin (as the husband) and Louis Jourdan co-star. The film's ball sequence is justifiable famous. Also in the cast: Gene Lockhart, Gladys Cooper, and Ellen Corby.
Indiscretion of an American Wife (1954), a melodrama directed by Vittorio De Sica, who at the time had been making much better films about the lives of underprivileged Italians. Jones plays a (quite privileged) married woman meeting her lover, a miscast Montgomery Clift, in a railway station. Though dramatically dead (the film was butchered upon its release), Indiscretion of an American Wife is great to look at — cinematography by Aldo Graziati aka G.R. Aldo. Also in the cast: Gino Cervi and future West Side Story star Richard Beymer.
Other than duel in the Sun the other choices are at best a disappointment. Where is Song of Bernadette, her Oscar winning performance? Where is Portrait of Jennie?
Perhaps TCM should re-evaluate their selection. It is not too late to change the list!
Thank you Andre, I entirely agree with you. Though I do like 'The Wild Heart' also if only for more inclusion of Brian Easdales soundtrack and the odd scene not included in GTE. As you've said any Jennifer is better than none.
Damn!
Thanks!
The text has been amended. Thanks again.
I need glasses… But I'll say that for myself: I did wonder why Jourdan looked blondish in the photo…
It's not Louis Jourdan in the "Madame Bovary" photo. It is Alf Kjellin!
I'd love to watch "Gone to Earth" as well. I've only seen the butchered American version, "The Wild Heart." TCM does accept suggestions, so it might be a good idea to contact them and ask for GtE.
As for the movies being shown on TCM, with the exception of "Duel in the Sun" they're certainly not Jennifer Jones' best showcases — but then again, better three minor Jones efforts than none at all…
In fact, I wish someone somewhere would show "Angel, Angel Down We Go" and "The Idol," two of her worst films, but again — Jennifer Jones is in them and that's enough for me to want to check them out again.
A pity TCM doesn't show 'Gone to Earth'.In my opinion her greatest film performance, and one the best films made in England. Certainly the best by a mile showing the British countryside and it's people. I noticed most of the comments on the films to be shown either have low public esteme or a finding fault in other ways, then why show them. From a loyal fan. Thank you for this oppertunity.
You me or you TCM?
I just listed the scheduled TCM presentations.
My lengthy piece on Jennifer Jones can be found here:
http://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/jennifer-jones/
Why did you leave out other memorable films Ms Jones starred in, such as; Since You Went Away," "Song of Bernadette," and "Portrait of Jennie,"to name a few.