A number of posters have commented on Norma Shearer's supposed "scenery chewing", but, really, she was the epotome of understatement compared to Virginia Weidler as Little Mary. That scene where she sobs "Mommy, dear" and "Daddy, darling" almost made me throw up!
She was never a top-notch child actress, and it's no surprise that she was totally forgotten when she died in 1967 at the age of 40.
Yeah, that part was quite melodramatic, but I guess it was a product of the times. I can't imagine a modern-day child saying those things if they found out their parents were getting divorced.
I didn't realize that Virginia Weidler died so young! I always liked her as the younger sister in "The Philadelphia Story", with Kate Hepburn.
What a tasteless and rude thing to say about Virginia Weidler. She was a child being directed by George Cukor, and who are you to second guess... oh, never mind.
And please, quit using ALL CAPS! IT IS THE INTERNET EQUIVALENT OF SCREAMING!
Virginia Weidler was one of the most talented child stars of her time. She provided sharp comedy relief in such classics as The Philadelphia Story, Best Foot Forward, Young Tom Edison, and even parts of The Women.
You shouldn't hold that sappy scene against her. It was mostly the director's and writers' faults that she came off so poorly, although that was the way children in Hollywood were expected to react to divorce at the time. But she made up for it when she went head to head with Crawford in the deliciously acerbic boudoir scene later on in the movie.
Skridge,I couldn't agree more with you.This little girl was another victim of the studio system in that she was often miscast in roles better suited to the likes of Shirley Temple or Margaret O'Brien.Virginia was a sharp little cookie and never better than in The Philadelphia Story and The Great Man Votes which she effortlessly stole from John Barrymore.What a shame that some of those studio heads didn't have the good sense to cast her in more roles better suited for her talents.
shareShe was wonderful in [i]The Philadelphia Story[i]. I love when she sings about Lydia the Tattooed Lady.
sharewhenever I want to tease my 18 year old daughter, I qoute Little Mary..she HATES it...so sappy. but it certainly wasnt the actress's fault she was doing her job and she was a fine little actress.
nice socks, man.....
While I do agree that this role was one of Virginia's weaker roles, I will say that the young woman was very talented and more adept at comedy and not so sappy melodramas (i.e. "Bad Little Angel" (1939)), she's excellent in that film. When I watched this movie last night, I thought that Ann E. Todd, another talented young actress, would have been more suited to play Little Mary, than Virgina. Watch "Intermezzo: A Love Story" (1939) starring Leslie Howard and Ingrid Bergman and you'll see what I mean.
shareIt was discovered that Virginia had Rheumatic Fever as a child which was the indirect cause of her death at such a young age. I had the same thing as a child, but was fortunate that penicillin was in wide use, I had a good doctor, excellent care, and a good recovery. Virginia's heart was probably damaged, or even enlarged. Bobby Darin was another victim of this illness at a very young age.
As for her acting, the style of movie-making should be put into historical context. The particular scene that started this thread didn't bother me at all, and her tears were touching. For those who weren't convinced of her acting at that point, she certainly made up for it in her scene with Crystal shrivling in her bubble bath.
Another movie Virginia was in comes to mind: "All This And Heaven Too."
How dare you? What a rude and cruel thing to say. She was a wonderful little actress, whose too-early death was unfair. She was never forgotten at all. I hope you can say the same.
shareIn her defense, I have read the play of "The Women", and Virginia's lines in that scene are word-for-word from "Little Mary"'s in the play.
shareI too was disappointed with her performance in this film. I have a hunch if Cukor would have let her do her stuff, she would have done a better job but yet, I don't know how else the bathroom scene (when her mother is leaving for Reno) could have played better. I'd say all was said and done when her mother tells her in the bedroom she's getting a divorce and Cukor should have left it at that.
"You may as well go to perdition in ermine; you're sure to come back in rags." Katharine Hepburn
That scene where she sobs "Mommy, dear" and "Daddy, darling" almost made me throw up!
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
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VW was cute as a little girl but not so much as she got older. I liked her in this, Philly Story, and Bad Little Angel. pixienut, I agree with your signature line 101%.
If you put me on ignore, then how can I notify you when I win the lottery?