They Won't Forget

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Make your own list of the most moving film performances of all time -- the ones that reach right in and melt you down, no matter how many times you've seen them -- and I'll bet serious cash that Gladys George's in The Best Years of Our Lives is not among them. I'll bet, in fact, that right now most HE readers haven't a clue who Gladys George was. But watch this clip from William Wyler's Oscar-winning film (or start, rather, at the 37-second mark and stay with it until 1:51) and you'll never forget her.

This YouTube clip is a little too murky-looking to appreciate the subtlety in George's acting, and the sound levels are weak. It's better if you can catch it on DVD, or even on TCM. As long as it's on a larger screen.

She manages her big score without saying a word. It's all in the tightening of her features and the watering of her eyes as her character, Hortense Derry, listens to her broken-down alcoholic husband Pat (Roman Bohnen) read a citation for bravery given to his WWII-veteran son, Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), who's been having a rough time finding his civilian footing.

And it's all over in 74 seconds. And the emotion only kicks in during the last 45 seconds. But it's a devastating scene. Both characters holding it in, the burning cigarette, the pint of booze, the empathy for a young guy dealt a tough hand, etc. Gets me every time.

George was born in 1900 and died in '54, basically from complications from too much drinking and smoking. Her most memorable role besides this was as Miles Archer's widow in The Maltese Falcon (i.e., who'd been fooling around with Humphrey Bogart behind her husband's back). As far as I'm concerned she lives forever and very proudly because of this one moment, which is by far the most affecting in Wyler's film.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 30, 2009 at 7:40 AM

comment #1

raygo says ...

That post is a surprise. Somehow I wouldn't think of you as a fan of The Best Years of Our Lives, but I will check out the clip. Sometimes a character actor from an old movie sticks with you for years and brings back warm memories of late-night TV watching, like a Thelma Ritter or Henry Jones.

Posted by raygo at April 30, 2009 9:05 AM

comment #2

Rich S. says ...

I know this one is almost too obvious, but my list would have to include the scene in Old Yeller when Tommy Kirk has to do what he has to do.

The key moment is when the mother brings out the gun and Tommy Kirk says "No, momma." You think he's trying to forestall the inevitable, but then he says "He was my dog. I'll do it." Gets to me just thinking about it.

Posted by Rich S. at April 30, 2009 9:19 AM

comment #3

Jeffrey Wells says ...

Wells to Rich S.: Hey...you just spoiled the Old Yeller viewing experiences for untold thousands! What a thoughtless act! Proud of yourself? The movie was out decades ago and not that well circulated, but I'll there are God knows how many under-20s who are screaming to themselves right now, "No!...the kid shoots the dog! Oh, God....now it's ruined!"

As long as the 52 year-old secret is out, where's the You Tube clip of the shooting? I remember the poor rabid dog growling at Kirk as he enters the woodshed. I remember the moment when Kirk shoves both barrels of the shotgun under the dog's chin and blows his head clean off with blood and brain matter splattered all over the place. I remember the smoke hanging in the night air after the deed is done.

http://www.amazon.com/Old-Yeller-Vault-Disney-Collection/dp/B00005RRG4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1241109588&sr=1-2

Posted by Jeffrey Wells at April 30, 2009 9:35 AM

comment #4

raygo says ...

Now I'm sad.

Posted by raygo at April 30, 2009 9:39 AM

comment #5

Rich S. says ...

Ask and ye shall receive. By the way, you'll notice I intentionally never said how the movie actually ends. Took care of that yourself.

For those who don't mind a SPOILER:

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

Posted by Rich S. at April 30, 2009 9:39 AM

comment #6

Gordie Lachance says ...

Anyone interested in picking up a copy of this on dvd should hurry. It just went out of print 2 months ago. B&N has some and it goes in and out of stock @ Amazon but the supply is dwindling.

Posted by Gordie Lachance at April 30, 2009 9:50 AM

comment #7

George Prager says ...

Reminds me of Robert Sean Leonard's mom in DEAD POETS SOCIETY, but she was a wuss.

Posted by George Prager at April 30, 2009 10:16 AM

comment #8

Gaydos says ...

Just heard good guy Bob Strauss on the radio talking about how "nobody in America wants to see serious movies right now." Can I scream my disagreement with this widely disseminated canard from the rooftops?

"NO THAT'S NOT TRUE!! HOLLYWOOD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE AND MARKET SERIOUS FILMS!!!!!!!!!!! THEY'RE TOO BUSY BUILDING TENTPOLES!!!!" I feel better now.

Posted by Gaydos at April 30, 2009 10:28 AM

comment #9

dixiedugan says ...

If you know her from Best Years, then you'll know her from The Roaring Twenties and Flamingo Road also. She was great playing a dame.

Posted by dixiedugan at April 30, 2009 10:40 AM

comment #10

mccool says ...

The subtle change of expression on Bill Murray's face in 'Rushmore' when he meets Max's father...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hGCVhp5yx0

Posted by mccool at April 30, 2009 2:11 PM

comment #11

George Prager says ...

Actually the pain in her face is real. She needed a drink desperately and this asshole kept on flubbing his lines even though he was reading them of a piece of paper.

Posted by George Prager at April 30, 2009 3:42 PM

comment #12

John Cocktosten says ...

The Best Years of Our Lives is my favorite movie of all time. It's the closest thing to all-around perfection I've ever seen. I wish I could give a copy of this movie to every returning vet in the armed forces.

Do yourself a favor and netflix it if you've never seen it.

Posted by John Cocktosten at April 30, 2009 9:57 PM

comment #13

DarienStyles says ...

Gladys George's best performance was in Raoul Walsh's The Roaring Twenties, where she played Panama Smith, James Cagney's long-suffering friend whose love for him remains unrequited. A masterful acting exercise from a marvelous actress, who never got the credit she deserved.

Posted by DarienStyles at May 2, 2009 9:29 AM

comment #14

LeroyBrown says ...

Also check her out in The Hard Way (1943). Good movie, great Ida Lupino performance. George also got a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1936 for Valiant Is the Word for Carrie, and she's supposed to be great in the 1937 version of Madame X. I don't think any of these movies are available on DVD, but they might turn up on TCM (which is where I saw The Hard Way, I think).

Posted by LeroyBrown at May 4, 2009 7:28 AM

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