RIP Beverly Garland and Nina Foch
Another pair of passings of fascinating, under appreciated, and, in their own way, pretty important entertainment figures, which I only just heard together about via a Twitter from my esteemed Bullz-Eye colleague, Will Harris.
I’m a bit pressed for time and not really expert enough in either’s career to do any kind of justice to them — I had even forgotten that Nina Foch was a hugely respected teacher at USC and AFI, whose work influenced teachers I’ve studied under. I certaintly didn’t know she was still teaching, right up until the moment she fell ill on Thursday. So, I’ll simply note the passing of two great women of classic-era film and beyond. The Los Angeles Times has good obituaries on both: Ms. Foch, who to me will always be Marie Antoinette from Scaramouche (and damnit, I wish I could find her crucial scene with the late Mel Ferrer to show you just how great she was), and Ms. Garland, probably best known today for D.O.A., her time on My Three Sons, and, to Angelenos and tourists, for her North Hollywood hotel.
4 Comments so far
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I wouldn’t say Beverly Garland is best known for D.O.A., her debut (and a small role) but rather the films she made for Roger Corman in the second half of the 1950s: Swamp Women, It Conquered the World and Not of This Earth (among others). She never lost that mix of loveliness and toughness that made Beverly Garland stand out, stand apart, and endure. I really need to see her forgotten TV series Decoy!
By Arbogast on 12.07.08 7:48 am
Well, like I said, I’m far from an expert in her career. Let’s say that’s how she’s best known to me — I’m sure I must have seen at least one of her Corman science-fiction films at some point, but I can’t seem to remember any of them. I would say that “D.O.A.” is probably the the most famous movie she appeared in, even if it wasn’t her best showcase.
Anyhow, thanks for stopping by, Arbogast. Great to have you here.
By bob on 12.07.08 7:56 am
Was Beverly Garland ever in a Elvis film?
By Nancy on 12.12.08 10:14 am
No. (Unless I’m missing something.)
By bob on 12.12.08 4:07 pm
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