Barbara Stanwyck: Another Cinderella Story

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Hollywood of the thirties gave the world a whole galaxy of wonderful artists, among which, of course, the magnificent Barbara Stanwyck. A dizzying career and another story of the American Cinderella in one bottle - such is the life of this wonderful actress, whose cinematic activity, by the way, lasted almost 60 years! Is it possible to imagine a woman boldly going out in front of the cameras at almost eighty? It turns out yes. But first things first.

Childhood

The story of Cinderella begins, as it should, in a poor family, with the death of their parents. Ruby was born, which is the real name of the actress, on July 16, 1907. Five children, among whom she happened to be the last, were quite a heavy burden. In 1910, a family tragedy began. Ruby's mom died under the wheels of a tram: some drunk passerby pushed her on the way. Some time later, the father of the family left for the construction of the Panama Canal, simplyleaving the children to their fate. In 1914, he was also gone. So by the age of seven, the future Barbara Stanwyck turned out to be an orphan.

The beginning of an acting career

At thirteen, Ruby left school and went to work. The Cinderella story is evolving. The first adult steps in life are connected with wrapping up purchases in a department store, then there was a telephone company in which the future millionaire was paid $ 14 a week. Next - a typist in a recording studio, a dancer in a nightclub.

Finally, fate smiled at the girl. She was called in 1923 to perform in the show of Ziegfeld, a famous Broadway impresario in the early twentieth century. Acquaintance with the playwright Willard Mack turned the fate of the sexy dancer upside down. He invited Ruby to participate in his own production, while teaching her acting skills. The appearance of the famous pseudonym - Barbara Stanwyck, which, according to one legend, she saw on a theater poster, is also associated with the name of Mack.

Her first performance took place in October 1926 on Broadway. Critics rave about Barbara's performance in this production. Broadway has launched the careers of many successful actresses. It was here that Hollywood producers often found talent. And Barbara Stanwyck began her career on Broadway, moving quickly to Hollywood.

Cinema

Nearly sixty years on the screen have resulted in a huge amount of footage. The number of films and television productions cannot be covered in such a small article, evenjust listing their names. Films with the participation of Barbara Stanwyck can be reviewed, enjoying only the unique grace of the actress. Indeed, there was practically no such genre in which she would not feel easy and natural in the frame, be it a melodrama like Stella Dallas or Forbidden; thriller like "Double Indemnity"; comedy like Remember This Night or Lady Eve. Even the western in her performance is very good. For example, Union Pacific. Her slightly hoarse voice beckons the viewer, charming appearance enchants. The baby face in her most famous paintings of the thirties and forties, combined with the deepest femininity and at the same time the playfulness of a panther, creates an unforgettable impression.

At the same time, contemporaries often mentioned her great industriousness on the set. And the thought that in the lens of the actress with the highest salary in the country did not occur to everyone who was nearby. By the way, in 1944 her income amounted to 400 thousand dollars. At that time, she was the highest paid woman in the country. In the frame, she gave all her best, repeating and repeating take after take, if the scene did not suit her at least in some way. Unlike another famous film star of those times, Marilyn Monroe, Barbara did not suffer from star fever.

Television career

Colossal ability to work allowed him to continue acting in the period of the formation of television. One of the hits of the sixties - the television series "Big Valley" brought her an Emmy Award. Already at a venerable age, she appeared in the famous mini-TV series "Singing in Blackthorn". For the role in which she was also awarded an Emmy. The end of her filming career fell on the television series The Colby Family, which she left due to a conflict with the producers. So the acting life, which began as early as 1927 with a small role as a dancer in the silent film Broadway Nights, ended in 1986.

Awards

The legacy that Barbara Stanwyck left behind for her fans - films and film productions - brought her quite a large number of awards. And although the top of her victories for shooting were only the Emmy and Golden Globe awards, she is rightfully considered by the world of cinema to be the best actress of all time who never won an Oscar. Indeed, in her collection - four nominations for this prestigious award. But, of course, they gave her an Oscar. For her outstanding contribution to cinema, already at an advanced age, in 1982 she received a long-awaited statuette.

Conclusion

Barbara Stanwyck, whose filmography includes 93 titles, died on January 20, 1990. A fantastic film career of a lifetime ended, leaving the fans with only an unforgettable voice and the charm of a diva. These black-and-white Hollywood movies of the thirties are mostly childishly naive. But they can be watched and reviewed. But the modern viewer knows so little about this magical era of Hollywood! It was her time. The prime of life and the glory of one of the best actresses of her time.

Barbara Stanwyck, whose photo is invitingly seductive with innocent beauty,her career has left fans with a reminder of how you really need to work, completely devoting yourself to your favorite business, not paying attention to difficulties, avoiding "star fever". The real Cinderella of cinema…