I loves me some Donna Reed - she really made It's A Wonderful Life! - but at 31, wasn't she a bit too old to play Lorene? Yeah, Lorene's supposed to be worldly, jaded, worn out from being on her back too long. But Donna Reed just seemed to be too old to play the part. How old was Lorene supposed to be in the book?
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
I've read the book several times, but don't recall a reference to her specific age. Still in the book sne seemed to be about 23. Clift's character was only 21 in the book. I did not see Donna Reed's casting as ideal, and did not think she deserved the Oscar for best supporting actress.
shareI agree jgroub .. It would have been better if they had had a younger girl playing the part .. They didn't have any on screen chemistry at all together .. and I do agree with the other poster , that she didn't deserve the Oscar for that role .
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I'd like a chance t' shoot at an educated man once in my life .
I disagree. A prostitute in her twenties would look older than years. The choice of an actress a bit older to play the role would make sense. Donna Reed is perfect in this role.
shareIt's also important to remember that back then, people tended to look older than they actually were. For one thing, people in their 20s would dress and wear their hair pretty much exactly like people in their 40s or 50s.
This was a time before "youth culture" or anything like that. My parents keep telling me how they would *want* to look older and more mature when they were young.
When I look at pictures of my mom (who was born in 1939) or even grandma (born in 1912) when they were in their 20s, I would have a hard time "guessing" their age if they were strangers.
Just look at movie-stars of the era: Lauren Bacall in "To have and have not" (1944) was, what? 19, 20 at the time? If I didn't know her age and would have to guess, based on her look and demeanor, I would put her at 27, 28 *at least*.
S.
Thank you! I was beginning to wonder about these people who can't seem to get passed what's in the book. If the character is 'x' age in the book they think the actress portraying her has to be the exact same age.
It doesn't work like that. A movie is more a visual experience than the book. They may have considered actresses of many ages but they have to go with the person who will do the best job and who will 'look' the part based not on age but the character's life and experiences.
Casting a fresh faced youthful actress would probably require some aging make up to make her look like she's been around the block a few times. She would have to also 'act' older than her actual years to reflect all she had been through in her short life.
Why do all that when they can get someone good who may be a little older. That would actually be a bonus. Some also said she was too innocent to play such a role. Well, all of that factors in. Lorene was a hometown girl who ended up in the situation she's in because she'd been disillusioned. With all she’s been through there’s still a kind of innocence about her along with the maturity. I thought Donna Reed was a fine pick.
By the way, the Trivia section indicates Donna Reed was not the director's first choice but he had pushed for so many other actors he didn't fight her casting in this. Turns out she did a great job.
I'm not a Donna Reed fan but I loved her in this and think she deserved the award, esp. considering her competition.
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