JackBurley Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 It happened again. TCM was playing the Marx Brothers' Big Store while I was putzing around. I happened to glance at the screen and saw that face: Virginia Grey is so arresting. Every time I see The Women I'm struck by her performance as Joan Crawford's foil behind the perfume counter. Has anyone seen this on the big screen? The close-ups of Ms. Grey are stunning. What a beauty. I always leave this movie wondering why she didn't become a bigger star. She has a supporting role in The Big Store, and once again I was stopped in my tracks and charmed by her sparkling looks and demeanor. This is a great message board, by the way. Curious about Ms. Grey, I ran a search and discovered this thread (apparently started by Moirafinnie): http://forums.tcm.com/jive/tcm/thread.jspa?threadID=48212&start=15#4669526 This thread is a treasure trove! I had no idea Virginia Grey was featured in so many movies that I love. I'll have to recheck my DVDs of The Rose Tatoo and All That Heaven Allows. I guess I didn't recognize Ms. Grey in those later roles. Mentions were made of her interviews with TCM. I wonder if we'll ever see those again. I would have liked to have seen her featured as "Summer Under the Stars" performer. I dedicate today to Virginia Grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montgomery4me Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Jack, I do remember her from The Women and also was taken aback by her performance and character in the film. Thanks also for the thread link as I will have to check her out in the other films when given the opportunity. ahh, yet another sticky note on my computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerb Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 I loved watching her having confrontations with Red Skelton and Ann Rutherford in Whistling in the Dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackBurley Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 Whistling in the Dark is the film that she made immediately after The Big Store. I've never seen it; is her role substantial? Does anyone know what her most signficant role was? Here she is with Ms. Crawford in The Women: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallofFire Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 I always enjoy seeing Miss. Grey as the murderess in Another Thin Man - she starts off so sweet but reveals her true nature in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackBurley Posted August 2, 2006 Author Share Posted August 2, 2006 ""I always enjoy seeing Miss. Grey as the murderess in Another Thin Man..." Oh, I own that too! Apparently I'm sitting on a mother lode of Virginia Grey without being aware of it. Thanks for the tip! Do you know what would be considered her best role? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarboManiac Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 That is one of my favorite "fun" movies! I can't help it, I like Red, and Danny, when I am in the mood for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorainmay Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Jack, thanks for jogging the collective memory of the board about Miss Grey. Since I began that thread after her death in 2004, I've been able to see her as Little Eva in Uncle Tom's Cabin for the first time (what a hoot!), and again enjoyed her thoroughly as Alida, the philosophical wife of gorgeous Charles Drake in All That Heaven Allows for the umpteenth time. She's so elegant and approachable at the same time in her characterizations. I must track down a copy of Jeanne Eagels to see her work in that movie, which I've not seen in a dog's age. Thanks for reminding me of her grace and talent again. P.S. I became a "Guest" instead of ol' Moira during one of the TCM Message Board earthquakes(aka upgrade) awhile back, though I am permitted to pop in as meself for the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerb Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 She does have a pretty good role in Whistling in the Dark. Red Skelton is "The Fox", a famous radio personality, and the studio execs (I believe) want Red to spend time with the sponor's daughter (Grey). Of course, Red is engaged to Ann Rutherford, so that causes problems. All three of them are captured by a cult led by Conrad Veidt and are forced to get along with each other to attempt an escape. It's extremely funny, and Grey has as big a part as Rutherford. She's very pretty too. I think you'll like it, and you'll especially enjoy her continuous bantering with Rutherford. It may not be her biggest part, but it's certainly a good showcase of her talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 I agree Jack. I've always thought she was a ravishing beauty and talented. She should have fared much better. She is the most beautiful of all the ladies featured in "The Women". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerb Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Another movie that I saw her in that you may or may not have is Who Killed Doc Robbin?. It was Hal Roach's sub-standard attempt to revive his ever-popular Our Gang series. Don't get your hopes up for this one though as she is barely seen. It is definitely several notches below her MGM work. But, in case you're interested, you can find a cheap (and not only price-wise, but print-wise) copy of it in the $1 Digiview bins at Wal-Mart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackBurley Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 Thank you all for your posts. I feel like I'm discovering a whole new cache of films. I look forward to seeing more of Viriginia Grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CineSage_jr Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I'm sorry, but a Grey Scale simply doesn't go with my bathroom's decor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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