Main Cast: Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, Teresa Wright, Anthony Perkins, Ian Wolfe
Release Year: 1953
Country: US
Run Time: 89 minutes
Plot
The Actress is based on Years Ago, one of several autobiographies by actress/playwright Ruth Gordon. Jean Simmons stars as blossoming teenager Ruth Gordon Jones, who is determined to become a famous stage star despite the objections of her stubborn ex-sea captain father Clinton Jones (Spencer Tracy). Papa wants Ruth to become a physical-education instructor, but she wants none of this. With the covert help of her understanding mother (Teresa Wright), Ruth seeks out stage work--any stage work. Ultimately, it is Papa who dips into the Jones family's limited coffers to bankroll his daughter's first big break. The Actress represented the movie debut of Anthony Perkins, here cast as Ruth Gordon Jones' gawky boyfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Both director George Cukor and writer Ruth Gordon are a bit off their form in The Actress, a backstager that lacks the spark that is so essential both to tales of the theater and tales of youth (and, as concerns the father in the story, tales of youth long lost). Perhaps Gordon was too close to the autobiographical material, as much of the screenplay comes off as a bit too precious. Gordon also doesn't find enough fresh things to say about this oft-told theatrical situation, although she does much better when sticking to the relationship between father and daughter, and indeed creates quite a memorable character in Clinton Jones. Cukor's work is a bit dry, his pacing flagging too often. However, he does do a fine job of capturing the right period feel and setting, and he has several inventive visual moments, starting with a very nicely composed opening sequence that takes in the entire theater. Even better is the parlor scene between Ruth and her suitor. Comprised of only three shots, this lengthy sequence allows Cukor to insinuate his camera throughout the room in a very dramatically effective manner. In the title role, the beautiful Jean Simmons is surprisingly annoying; the performance is mannered and fluttery, lacking in sufficient charm and depth. This leaves the film to Spencer Tracy, whose performance is wonderfully rich and detailed. Teresa Wright has too little to do but does it well, and Anthony Perkins is notable in his screen debut -- especially clad in Walter Plunkett's excellent costumes. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Black-and-White Costume Design. Tracy won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actor in a Drama and was nominated for a BAFTA as Best Foreign Actor. Simmons was named Best Actress by the National Board of Review, and Gordon's screenplay was nominated Best Written American Comedy by the Writers Guild of America, despite being far more dramatic than comedic.[1]
Teenage student Ruth Gordon Jones (Jean Simmons) dreams of a theatrical career after becoming mesmerized by a performance of The Pink Lady in a Boston theater. Encouraged to pursue her dream by real-life leading lady Hazel Dawn in response to a fan letter she sent her, Ruth schemes to drop out of school and move to New York City, much to the dismay of her father, Clinton Jones (Spencer Tracy), a former seaman now working at a menial factory job, who urges her to continue her education and become a physical education instructor instead. When Ruth's audition with a leading producer proves disastrous and the girl's enthusiasm is crushed, her father offers to support her during her first few months in New York if she will at least get her high schooldiploma.
The film basically is a series of vignettes involving Ruth, her parents, her best friends, and the college boy romantically pursuing her. Although Gordon did in fact become an accomplished Academy Award-winning actress and a successful writer, the film ends before the audience knows if the girl will achieve her goals.
