MovieChat Forums > Pillow Talk (1959) Discussion > Thelma Ritter!

Thelma Ritter!

posted 18 years ago by ePastor_Hardy
14 replies | jump to latest

She is so fantastic, and was amazing in this movie. She should've won the Oscar. It's depressing to think that she's one of those greats who were nominated numerous times, but failed to grab the big boy. Some other notables include Richard Burton, Irene Dunne, Arthur Kennedy, Agnes Moorehead, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper, and Burgess Meredith, to name a few. Luckily, their legendary work will be eternally beloved.

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FYC 2011: Orlando Bloom - Best Actress, Category Fraud

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] samanthaseaotter 18 years ago

She did so much wonderful work but "character actors" rarely get much credit, sad to say. I also loved her in "A New Kind of Love" with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. She gets the guy in that one, so it's sorta sweet to watch.

Samantha
"Nobody's perfect."

[–] tag65 18 years ago

Thelma was fantastic in this - maye her greatest role of all. She was absolutely perfect as Alma. I can't imagine anyone else playing her.

Thelma as great in everything she did. But another of my favorites is her role as Jimmy Stewart's visiting nurse in "Rear Window". Hilarious, and so wise.

[–] parillamilt 12 years ago

I don't know why everybody in the movie accepted her as normal being an obvious alcoholic. Must have been a 50's thing to just think it was no big deal. Today, her character would be fired on the spot being blitzed most of the day.

[–] pc-daisy 12 years ago

Everyone accepted that it was commonplace to drink and smoke all the time. It certainly was a 50s and 60's thing. It was made out to be humorous, like the bar scene between Alma and Brad. And it does look amusing, which is what contributes to the tolerance. Always makes me laugh ruefully to hear Jack Nicolson's character in As Good As It Gets refer to a bartender as pushing the last legal drug. There is BIG MONEY in alcohol and not just for manufacturers, but governments as well. And the social cost is huge, but that is another subject altogether.

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

Yes. I still reckon that her wise-cracks to James Stewart in 'Rear Window' are her best screen moments. Also like that movie where she is a marriage broker.

[–] Trax-3 9 years ago

Pickup on South Street is her finest moment I have seen.

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

I like Thelma Ritter in 'Pickup On South Street.' I feel so sorry for her character, selling ties and information.

[–] singjohn 12 years ago

I love the scene with her Rock Hudson in the bar. Rock acting drunk was some of the best acting he's ever done. Thelma Ritter was hilarious!

[–] lynnrnsd 11 years ago

Love how she drinks him under the table... She was incredible in "The Mating Season" too. Sweet and down-to-earth, and gets the rich guy as well. Drives the wife's gold-digging mom crazy.

[–] scoup 9 years ago

I really liked her in this too. Ritter in "The Mating Season" is a blast and so likable. I've got to watch her backlist.

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 11 years ago

From what I've seen of her, she played straightforward characters who could tell it like it is. She did a good job of it, too.

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Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

She played a similar character in the movie "Boeing (707) Boeing (707)", but without the booze.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 11 years ago

Also in "All About Eve".

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JimHutton as ElleryQueen: talented hot sexy