Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Well, for the past few years I have grown even more attached to the extrodenary actress named Agnes Moorehead. Her talent in the world of acting has added to my thinking and inspiration of wanting to learn more and explore a character. Today, I got to see two of the movies she played in. The first one, which I sadly only got to see half cuz I went out to lunch, was The Oposite Sex.
This movie dragged on untill she stepped up to the plate, in the scene where her and June Allison have to watch as each others two best friends get into a cat fight over one of the others husands. Just as they start throwing each other, you hear the funny yelps of Agnes, saying "help! somebody help!" I nearly cracked up because of the way she said it...just sounded so fake but she was in character. She played it pretty well me thinks, though critics say she was miscast. I sorta have to agree but she did make it quiet humerous. ;3
The 2nd movie, called Dark Passage, gave me some real emotions towards her. The fact that she played this dark villian, who ends up being the murder and then jumps out the window just shocked me to tears. Ok, I didn't really cry but I did leave my mouth hanging open untill Humphry Bogart jumped on that Trolly, lol. I'm probably sounding like a nut here but if you've seen her other work, where she plays completely different roles and then find that she's jumping out the window..it was just really spell binding.

Anyways, here is a list of the movies I've seen, in the order I've seen them. Plus some ratings. ;3

Citizen Kane. I thought Agnes did a very good job playing the part of Kanes Mother. The scene where she steps up to the window and nearly says that she had his bags packed for a week makes you really think. Ironically being her first movie, this is considered the number one movie of all time in America. Based on my opinion, I think the photography and story plot were very good. 4.5/5

The Magnificant Ambersons. Oh how I gush my heart out to this one! The story of a wealthy 1900 family going down hills because of the automobile bussiness gives you real insite on background history in some sense. This was her 2nd film, playing the aunt of George minfer, Aunt Fanny. I could probably go on and on about how her acting abilities seemed to really bulid up in this film. The part where she's up against the boiler, telling George that she ran down her heels looking for a place to live almost made me cry. I've found many older people like this film but this has to be my favorite of all her movies. 5/5

The Stratton Story. This film portrait the man Montey Stratton, a famous baseball player who looses his leg in a hunting accident and soon finds the courage to play once again. Agnes played his mother, who though was affectionate, had a sense of being stern as she helped raised the farm they lived on. The part was very belivable and I felt she had a great sense of whom she was. The film kinda drags on abit but not much and I think the story itself was really touching. 4.8/5

Raintree County. I really had a debate with myself on this one. This story was about a man who lives in Raintree County, grows up, graduates and finds himself inlove with a girl other than the one he grew up with. They get married and through the whole film, he bumps into his first love but they never rekindle. The main focus was that it was during the civil war and his wife had started to become crazy because she thought she loved colored people. (Please note that I am not racist, this is just part of the movie.) Agnes played yet again, the main characters mother. She was very rarely in the movie but her sassy charm and good guidence was very interesting to partake in. Though it was a great story, I found the movie abit too long. I give it a 4.9/5.

Meet Me in Las Vegas. I wasn't very interested in this movie at all and wished I had never layed eyes on it. It really dragged, the story of a ballet dancer meeting up with a charming young man in Las Vegas. Agnes plays his mother, a kind and accepting person. If you love musicals, then this is a movie you might want to see. I only care for very few musicals, such as the Sound of Music or My Fair Lady. Not much else to say, other than I give this movie a 1.4/5

Magnificant Obsession. The fact that it has a very good plot, extremly strong emotions and a wonderful cast had me watching this movie twice. A women, who's fiance just died ends up having to run and take over his hospital. At the same time, a playboy, who's a current patient at the hospital played by Rock Hudson finds himself falling in love with the women. Though sad to say, he did make her loose her eye sight when he tries to pull her back into the taxi cab. When she goes blind, he works every bit he can to try and help her see again. This time, Agnes plays nurse Nacy, a women who is very affectionate but has her strict moments. I really loved this film, as it truely was a magnificant obsession. ;3 5/5.

How the West was Won. I never did watch the whole thing. However, I did watch the special effects on the DVD, which happened to be amazing for that period time. I don't like westerns much and when Agnes's character ends up dieing in the first thrity minutes, I lost interest. She played Debbie Renyolds mother, as they hitched a ride on a raft down river to find a new place to live. A tough women, who gave up everything just so her family does well in life. Not having seen much of the movie but based on the good effects I saw, I would give it a 4/5.

The Swan. I can't give a rating or anything of that sort because I only got to see the very end of the film. Ironically, I was at play practice and missed out on practially all of it. What I did see of Agnes was pretty good. She played a Countess, who seemed to be very well mannered and someone you wouldn't dare mess with. I think she did a splended job with the role.

Bacholer in Paradise. This movie is a MUST see. If you love comedy, then I demand you get a taste of this film. I was cracking up every which way. The story is about a man who gets a chance to live in a neighborhood called Paradise. The problem is, it's a family only community. Keep in mind, the setting is that of 1960s. Anyways, the man gets to know the ladies of the neighborhood because he doesn't have much else to do and all the men are at work. I kinda forgot why he can't get out and about, probably because he's a wanted man, not sure. So after listening to the ladies about their problems and everyday life, he decides he wants to help them out, give them afew tips inorder to rebound with their husbands. Sooner or later, one of the husbands gets suspecious because his wife comes home, all dressed up like a nut wanting a candle light dinner. He can't stand it and has all the husbands after the main guy. I won't spoil much more of the movie lol. Agnes plays Judge Peterson, who not much later comes into view. I thought she was very funny, having a cocky expression and a good heart. I give this movie a 5/5.

The Left Hand of God. Humphery Bogart is an under cover agent from America, in China who pretends to be a priest. He visits a missionary, which helps a Chinese community with the sick, the poor and those who want mass. As the story progresses, Bogart becomes more reveiled and at the end, the community finds out who he truely is. Agnes played the wife of the missionary director. She had a very good hearted persona and was always worried about things. There are lots of views going on in the movie, making it kinda hard to explain. There's also an evil leader at the top of a mountain that is looking for Bogart as well and ends up fighting him at a game of dice for the village or his life. I thought the movie was pretty good and I enjoyed it all the way. 5/5.

Untamed. Erm, I didn't care for this film. It's about pioneers of Irish Ansestory looking for a place to settle down in Africa. They're kinda like cowboys and they travel by ox and wagon, like the old pioneers. The main character, played by Mareen O'Hara is one of a very fearce temper. She ends up being with two differen't men, both having helped her and then ended up leaving or her being cheated. Later on, she ends up trading alot of her valuble stuff for gold and one large diamond from a group of local Africans. Hitting the jackpot, she ends up moving to a nice, rich mansion with her kids and maid Aggie. Ironically, Agnes did play the character Aggie. You really didn't see much of her character, as in how she felt and things like. Mainly just cooking or cleaning up the house and she did help cut off a leg. You could say she was very brave and protective of the children. I give this film a 3/5.

The Singing Nun. Debbie Renyolds has come to a missionary with the sound of her voice and the jams of her guitar. This movie focused on her talents, having her voice be put on to records, television and radio. On top of that, she helped out the poor community that they lived in. There was alot of emotional stir and terrific story plot. Agnes plays a somewhat stuck up, strict nun, who at first doesn't have much heart for Debbie but learns to get along with her and others. She had afew good laughing moments and I think she played the part perfectly. I had a good time watching this film, though watching Debbie do a good Twenty minutes worth of just strumming her guitar and singing kinda put me to sleep. I was hoping for alittle more action. I give this film a 4.8/5.

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes. I have to say, hands down, that this is one of the best movies ever made. The heart warming story of alittle girl of Scandinavian decent living in a Scandinavian community in Ohio and how she delt with things in life was really touching. I've seen reviews from people who don't like mushy stories say that this one was very good and mainly because it was quiet realistic. I wouldn't dare give away this movie because I want other people to see it and potray it in their own ways. Agnes plays the little girls mother and was amazing at it. She fit perfectly as a house wife, who's worked so hard in life and keeps on giving. I cannot express how much I love this movie and highly recommend it. I sometimes argue which is better, this or The Magnifican Ambersons, hehe. 5/5.

Well, that's all the movies I've seen. Hopefully I can add more too it but since it's almost the school year, I won't be able too as much. I plan on seeing:

The Bat
Captain Blackjack
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
What's the matter with Helen?
Pollyanna
Caged
The Night of the Quarter Moon
and last but not least, Dear Dead Deliliah.