MovieChat Forums > The Song of Bernadette Discussion > Fantastic Cast

Fantastic Cast

posted 16 years ago by Danusha_Goska
18 replies | jump to latest

I'm a huge fan of Blanche Yurka. If you've never seen her in "Tale of Two Cities" your life is incomplete. She is fabulous here as Aunt Bernard, although she never gets to shout, "I am that sister!" or "Guillotine!" her great lines in "Two Cities."

Anne Revere, Bernadette's laundress mother, was a goddess. Or, perhaps I should say, "Saint."

Roman Bohnen, who plays Bernadette's father, has a very brief scene as Dana Andrews' father in "The Best Years of Our Lives," and he practically steals the whole movie.

Gosh, I love these people and am so grateful to them for the work they left us.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

Hi, mhearn. Nice to read your posts again. I read a post by you talking about seeing this movie on the big screen. That must have been great.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

Thanks for sharing your reaction.

it always amazes me how seeing a familiar, classic film on a big screen changes it.

I never realized what a dirty movie "The Major and the Minor" was until I saw it with an audience.

And I never cried during Homer's homecoming scene in "Best Years of Our Lives" until I saw it with an audience.

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

The young man playing Antoine is really gorgeous and telegenic. Never registered him before. William Eythe? (Did I get that right?)

I just read his review. Sad story. Didn't have a major career, and died young of hepatitis.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

mhearn, I envy you. I would love to have had the chance to meet Teresa Wright. I adore her onscreen.

Yes, I read in his bio that Eythe ran into trouble because of same sex encounters. :-( Intolerance.

It's funny how some stars were able to shine in spite of their private lives (Rock Hudson, Greta Garbo) and others had more trouble.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

mhearn, I sent you a p.m.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] austendw 16 years ago

Let's not forget the brilliant Gladys Cooper. Playing Sister Marie Therese, Bernadette's implacable foe, the scenes towards the end where she discovers the severity of Bernadette's secret suffering, are frighteningly intense. It's a difficult emotional, psychological, spiritual transformation to have to convey, and few could have made it so totally convincing. There's a particular close up, when the doctor is describing Bernadette's illness, that wordlessly expresses her horror-struck realisation not only about Bernadette but herself also. It is utterly transparent and utterly chilling. Quite brilliant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVQUzAqIwxw

Call me Ishmael...

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[–] Danusha_Goska 16 years ago

Gladys Cooper was a tremendous actress. I've never seen her be anything but superb. And she often played such tough customers, impossible to like/love.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] netshopper-2 15 years ago

I had to go back to recognize Lee J. Cobb. He was young in this and not as recognizable as he was in later films. I loved the actress who played her mother as well.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] AccidntlTourist 13 years ago

I agree, an excellent ensemble - beautifully orchestrated.

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[–] Molly-31 13 years ago

"She is fabulous here as Aunt Bernard, although she never gets to shout, "I am that sister!" or "Guillotine!" her great lines in "Two Cities."

But she did get to say You will go with her!

And When I walk with her -- let anyone dare to laugh!

I loved her portrayal of Aunt Bernarde, how she took it seriously and put the parents in their place. Bernarde really was like that. She was a wealthy and influential lady and her presence at Bernadette's side made a huge difference in how people saw her.

You want sausage? I've got sausage, too.

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[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2755) 3 months ago

I watched the movie once to watch the movie and again just to watch Vincent Price.

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