Greer Garson 1904 – 1996 She was lavender, lace and a dash of paprika…!

“ Destined as I was for an academic life or a safe matrimonial harbour, I often feel that, in going on the stage, I am a throwback to my renegade and lusty ancestors; it was if the taint of some wandering Scotch minstrel or Norse scald had come to the surface in me.” Greer Garson

 Greer had been waiting eagerly for her first film role. She had been offered the lead in “ Dramatic School” but a fall from a horse sent her to the hospital and the role to Luise Rainer. “At last, I have appeared in a Hollywood picture…X-ray pictures of my insides!”

Eight months later Greer finally got another script but the part of Katharine Ellis Chipping was rather small, almost a supporting role to Robert Donat’s “Mr. Chips”. Greer was incensed at first but then decided to make more of Kathy Chipping than she was given. For her efforts, Greer Garson was handed a Best Actress nomination (she lost to Vivien Leigh’s Scarlett O’Hara) But the Sunday Times reported on August 13th, 1937 “Greer Garson, as a sign of her accomplished stardom in “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” has been presented with a nice, new dressing room by MGM”.

However, while she was in England filming the picture. Greer let Mayer know she wouldn’t come back without a script in hand.

Britain declared war on Germany in September, 1939. Hollywood’s British colony, including Greer and her mother Nina, kept the wires humming to the British Consul for news. David Niven and Leslie Howard went home at once. Basil Rathbone and Cedric Hardwicke were deemed too old for military service. Laurence Olivier and Cary Grant were of military age but decided to stay and make pro-British films instead of joining the military.

Pride and Prejudice 1940 Diretced by Robert Z. Leonard MGM B/W

Greer with Laurence Olivier in "Pride and Prejudice"

In early 1940 there were three big productions ready and up for grabs at MGM. Greer Garson was chosen over Vivien Leigh to play Elizabeth Bennet opposite Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”. It was feared that gossip about the extramarital affair between Vivien and Larry would overshadow the film itself. So Vivien got “ Waterloo Bridge” with Robert Taylor and “Susan and God” went to Joan Crawford.

Greer had worked with Olivier before on the London stage in his production of “Golden Arrow”. He was also often found among Greer’s “tea time” guests off the set.

It was the film that made Greer’s dream come true when it premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The New York Times heralded her “Greer Garson is Elizabeth –‘dear, beautiful Lizzie’ –stepped right out of the book…”!

When the picture wrapped in May, 1940, Greer went to court and divorced Sir Edward Alec Abbot Snelson on grounds of mental cruelty.

Blossoms in the Dust 1941 Directed by Mervyn LeRoy MGM Color

Clinton Rosamund, Walter and Greer "Blossoms in the Dust"

 Greer wanted two things….a comedy and Technicolor. Mayer gave her color this time but he couldn’t see her as a comedienne so he gave her another drama instead.

It was the story of Edna Gladney, the compassionate head of the Texas Children’s Home in Forth Worth, Texas. Her co-star was Canadian actor, Walter Pidgeon who was already a good friend. Greer had done her first American screen test with Walter and both the actor and his wife, Ruth, were frequent guests at the Garson home. The two were destined to become one of MGM’s most successful dramatic teams. Pidgeon called it “one of the happiest associations of a lifetime”.

Greer received a Best Actress nomination for her performance….the first of 5 consecutive nominations tying Bette Davis’ record in 1938–1942.

“People were always asking me what it was like during the golden years of Hollywood . That was in the 1920s and ‘30s – which wasn’t my period. My period, the 1940s and ‘50s, is what I call the romantic years of Hollywood ”

Mrs. Miniver 1942 Directed by William Wyler MGM B/W

Garson and Pidgeon as Mr. and Mrs. Miniver

Everyone agreed that Greer was born to play Mrs. Miniver….but Greer had to be convinced. She finally got over the fact that her character had a grown son but her problems with the director seemed endless. It took producer Sidney Franklin to bring calm to the set because Greer had the redhead temper to perfection. He placated Wyler and gave his blessing to Greer’s daily 4 o’clock ‘tea times’.

The film had to be done in Hollywood now that the war had intensified in Britain. With pro-British films in vogue, English shires and cottages were blossoming all over MGM’s back lot.

Greer won her first and only Oscar for this film and had another rose, “The Mrs. Miniver”, named for her. In fact, roses became her signature flower. 1942 was dubbed “The Year of Greer”.

A new array of stars were gathering in the MGM ‘heavens’. Greta Garbo had left after 16 years and new luminaries were making their mark. Greer Garson was at the head of the pack.

But there was one star who had yearned to be on top of the heap for years and wasn’t taking the “British invasion” very well. Joan Crawford complained very loudly that “God only knows how many good parts I lost!’

Random Harvest 1942 Directed by Mervyn LeRoy MGM B/W

Paula and Smithy

This was another love story from James Hilton, the author of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” and it is still considered to be one of the perfect classic movies for a romantic evening. Not since “Pride and Prejudice” was Greer so pleased with a role.

Her co-star was Ronald Colman, Greer’s idol since she was a girl. Colman, like Greer, had success with another Hilton classic “Lost Horizon”. This story about Paula, the cabaret dancer, and Smithy, the amnesiac soldier had a lot of parallels to Colman’s life. He had been severely wounded in WWI and suffered periods of depression until he found his outlet on the stage. Critics who reviewed this movie said that, between Garson and Colman, “the English language was never spoken more beautifully on film”.

But what tickled Greer the most was this press release…”Greer Garson Drops Familiar “Mrs.” Roles – Star’s Shapely Legs To Be Revealed On Screen!”

The young ingénue chosen to play Kitty, the girl who almost married Charles, was thought to have a very bright future with the studio. But tragedy struck on New Year’s Day, 1945 when she was on a hunting trip with her husband, actor Richard Quine. Her gun accidentally discharged and a bullet lodged in her spinc, paralyzing her from the waist down. She did a few films and television from a wheelchair but died in 1952 at the age of 31.

Madame Curie 1943 Directed by Mervyn LeRoy MGM B/W

"the glowing dish!"

 Greer was intrigued by the life of Marie Sklodowska Curie, the dedicated Polish scientist who discovered radium in 1923. The thought of playing her on screen was a challenge and Greer did extensive research on her life even seeking out Polish books on the subject.

Eva Curie’s biography of her mother was published in 1937 and the story rights were sold to Universal for Irene Dunne. When they couldn’t develop a suitable screenplay for their star, they sold the rights to MGM for Greta Garbo. Luckily for Greer, the work on the script took time and Greta had left the building.

Again, Walter Pidgeon was Greer’s co-star as Pierre Curie and both won nominations in the best Actor/Actress categories.

“Here I am, possibly the only natural redhead in Hollywood , mildewing away in shawls, shrouds, and chignons in unrelieved black and white!” Greer in 1943

Mrs. Parkington 1944 Directed by Tay Garnett MGM B/W

Greer with Agnes Moorhead in "Mrs. Parkington"

While Lucille Ball was being touted as “The Screen’s Most Romantic Redhead” Greer was known as MGM’s “Golden Mrs.” But despite her pleadings for something light and frothy, MGM’s “College of Cardinals” chose two more period pieces as her films for 1944. Greer fooled everyone by going brunette when she played Julia!

Susie Graham Parkinson was a gal from a small mining town who married the rich mine owner (Walter Pidgeon) and was swept into New York society. Bette Davis wanted that part badly but Warner Bros. lost to MGM in the bidding battle for this Louis Bromfield best seller. They also gobbled up Marcia Davenport’s “The Valley of Decision”.

Greer complained that she was so used to sitting sidesaddle on divans, she was developing a permanent list! But once again Greer was nominated for a Best Actress Award.

MGM’s so-called “College of Cardinals” was created by studio head Louis B. Mayer himself but suddenly they were becoming very suspicious about some of his decisions….particularly when it came to Mayer’s favorite redheads!

The ‘Cardinals” were:

J, Robert Rubin
Alexander Lichtman
Edgar (Eddie) Mannix
Hunt Stromberg
Lawrence A, Weingarten
Bernard Hyman
Harry Rapf
Samuel Katz
Benjamin Thau
Mervyn LeRoy

The Valley of Decision 1945 Directed by Tay Garnett MGM B/W

Greer and Gregory Peck as Mary and Paul

Greer enjoyed being Mary Rafferty. In this story of feuding Pittsburgh families…the rich owner on the hill (Donald Crisp) and the crippled mill worker in the valley (Lionel Barrymore)…but it was Mary who kept them from destruction.

But it was the final resolution of the story that made it difficult for the scriptwriters. You see, in Marcia Davenport’s story Mary and Paul never married each other. When the patriarchs were killed in a mill riot, Mary left Paul and he married another. They reunite years later when Mary uses the share in the mill that Paul’s mother left her to save it from sale. And they reunite….but never marry. The dictates of the Production Code forbade that kind of thing while Mayer’s motto was “always a happy ending”. The solution: Louise (Jessica Tandy) and Paul’s marriage was seen to be irrevocably broken and Paul takes Mary home with only a hint that they will be together. Everyone was happy!

Oh. Gregory Peck always referred to his co-star as “Big Red” and “Big Red” won another Academy nomination as “Mary Rafferty”!

Desire Me 1947 No Director Credit MGM B/W

Greer with Robert Mitchum in "Desire Me"

This was one of the very few major films to go into release without a director credit. The revolving director’s chair held George Cukor, Mervyn LeRoy, Victor Saville and Jack Conway at one time or another but no one wanted to take the blame for a poor film. The script didn’t make sense and the stars were woefully mismatched. Robert Mitchum was on loan to MGM for “Undercurrent” with Katie Hepburn so Mayer put him in this movie back-to-back to get more bang for his buck.

On location on a beach in Monterey, Greer was hit by a huge 8-foot wave and almost swept out to sea. A local fisherman saved her life. Greer suffered injuries to her back and abdomen that would haunt her in later years.

Greer divorced Richard Ney after the film wrapped, citing his temper tantrums and abusive remarks. Ney blamed the break-up on the fact he had to share the home with her mother.

Tea time at the Garson house …

“poolside or in the rose garden where the “Greer Garson” and “Mrs. Miniver” roses grew, bordered by a cascading lily pond…”

“On the pink enameled tabletop (Nina) would dispatch china teacups, saucers, cream, sugar and a platter of sliced cucumber and cress sandwiches, with cream cheese, Banbury tarts and an assortment of marmalade, rolls and Scotch scones”.

Julia Misbehaves 1948 Directed by Jack Conway MGM B/W

The Packetts!

Finally, a comedy! Margery Sharp’s “The Nutmeg Tree” and a generous budget became the perfect vehicle for Greer. She plays Julia Packett, a divorced vaudeville actress, who receives an invitation to her daughter’s wedding, a daughter Julia hasn’t seen since she gave birth to her. Walter Pidgeon again handles the male lead as Julia’s ex-husband who develops re-awakened feelings for her while Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Lawford play the daughter and her true love.

The acrobatic sequence was filmed last because Greer wanted to do her own stunts. “Then, if I break my neck, it won’t matter. MGM will still have a picture to release.”

There was only one thing missing—Greer wanted to do it in color! Of course, meeting Buddy Fogelson during the filming eased the pain a bit.

“ I suppose I always believed in fairy tales. They do come true. This did, certainly.”

That Forsyte Woman 1949 Directed by Compton Bennett MGM Color

Greer and Errol Flynn on the "Forsyte" set

The hi-jinks between Greer and Errol Flynn during the filming became more exciting to the cast than the almost humorless characters they portrayed. “We stalked each other like terriers for a couple of days” Greer said “then we found out we had a terrific lot in common”.

Errol was so nervous about meeting her, he downed 3 vodkas in advance. Then he walked up, slapped her on the fanny and said “Hi yuh, Red!” The cast all held their breath. But Greer let out a torrent of laughter. However, Errol was up to his old tricks once he knew Greer had a sense of humor. In a scene where she goes to the closet to hang up a gown, she opened the door and found Errol in the closet dressed only in a top hat. She screamed and almost fainted.

But Greer got even soon afterward. In a carriage scene , Errol’s line was “Now, my dear, shall we alight?” When he touched the doorknob, he shot to the roof. Greer had set him up for the shock of his life! Walter Pidgeon was also in the film but was left holding his sides laughing on the sidelines.

P.S. Did I mention Greer got her Technicolor for this film?

1951 brought about two significant events….

On April 11. 1951 Greer Garson Fogelson became an American citizen.

On June 23, 1951 the Los Angeles Times reported that L. B. Mayer had officially resigned from MGM.

Sunrise at Campobello 1960 Directed by Vincent J. Donohue MGM Color

The two Eleanors have tea!

“I always hedged when a member of the press asked me what I considered the greatest moment of my life” Greer said in 1960. “But since filming (Sunrise at Campobello) I no longer hedge about the answer. The role of Eleanor Roosevelt has intense, personal meaning for me. I consider portraying her to be a great privilege”.

Written as a play by Dore Schary for the Theatre Guild (he also wrote the screenplay), it originally opened at the Cort Theatre in new York City on January 30 th, 1958 with Ralph Bellamy and Mary Fickett in the title roles. Ralph continued in the role for the film but most of Hollywood were aghast at the choice of Greer to play Eleanor. They were wrong. With the help of make-up and raw nerve, Greer literally became Eleanor Roosevelt.

She received her 7th Academy nomination for the role but lost to Elizabeth Taylor’s “Butterfield 8”.