1949 Stars Reveal Their Favorites
Sunday, July 24th, 2011What do you think was the greatest performance in the history of motion pictures?
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The one I remember the most is Greta Garbo in Camille. I don’t think that will ever be topped. |
Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind. It’s a difficult role and she did a great job. I have seen it eight times and try to catch it every year. |
It’s hard to pick one, but I think Barbara Stanwyck in Stella Dallas left the biggest impression with me. |
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I’ll never forget Helen Hayes in The Sin of Madelon Claudet. I cried and cried. |
John Barrymore was outstanding in anything… To name one, Topaz. And Lawrence Olivier‘s job in Hamlet was one of the best of all time. |
Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind. |
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Diana Wynward in Cavalcade stays in my memory as the best. She was fascinating. |
Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind. That was the most perfect casting in history. |
I think maybe Fredrick March in Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. It was a frightening thing to watch. |
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Charles Coburn in More the Merrier was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, especially the scene where he lost his pants. |
Cary Grant in None But the Lonely Heart. I had always considered him an expert comedian, but my opinion of him went up a hundred-fold when I saw him in this dramatic role. |
Garbo in Camille or anything. |
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This may sound like immodesty, because I directed her, but I would pick Zasu Pitts in, Greed. A great tragedienne. |
I don’t see many pictures but the best performance I can think of is Van Heflin in Johnny Eager. |
Charlie Chaplin in everything: he’s the greatest of actors. He can make you laugh one minute, cry the next. For the actresses, Garbo – especially in Camille. |
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For an all-round lawless performance, I’d pick J.M. Kerrigan in The Informer. There was nothing you could find wrong with it. |
Gene Autry
Lucille Ball
Fred MacMurray
Claudette Colbert
Robert Young
Joan Bennett
Irene Dunne
Alan Ladd
Jimmy Stewart
Marie Wilson
Rosalind Russell
Diana Lynn
Erich Von Stroheim
Gloria Swanson
Gregory Peck
James CagneySource: Hollywood Highlights, Spokane Daily Chronicle, Jun 1 1949, Page 42
I think Gregory Peck is the greatest. I saw that man make love to Ann Blyth in a movie last night. I just wilted. What a devine, gentle way he has of handling women! 
