Hollywood of the thirties gave the world a galaxy of great artists, among which, of course, the magnificent Barbara Stanwick. A dizzying career and another story of the American Cinderella in one bottle - such is the life of this wonderful actress, whose cinematic activity, by the way, lasted almost 60 years! Is it possible to imagine a woman boldly going out in front of the cameras at almost eighty? It turns out yes. But first things first.
Childhood
The story of Cinderella begins, as befits, in a poor family, with the death of parents. Ruby was born, namely, this is the real name of the actress, July 16, 1907. Five children, among whom she happened to appear last, were a rather heavy burden. In 1910, a family tragedy began. Ruby's mother died under the wheels of a tram: a drunken passerby pushed her along the way. After some time, the father of the family left for the construction of the Panama Canal, simply leaving the children to their fate. In 1914, he was gone. So by the age of seven, the future Barbara Stanwick was an orphan.
The beginning of an acting career
At thirteen, Ruby left school and went to work. The story of Cinderella is evolving. The first adult steps in life were related to wrapping up purchases in a department store, then there was a telephone company in which the future millionaire was paid $ 14 a week. Next - a typist in a recording studio, a dancer in a nightclub.
And finally, fate smiled at the girl. She was invited in 1923 to perform in the Siegfeld show, the famous Broadway impresario in the early twentieth century. Acquaintance with the playwright Willard Mack turned the fate of a sexy dancer. He invited Ruby to participate in his own production, while at the same time teaching her acting skills. The appearance of the famous pseudonym Barbara Stanwick, which, according to one legend, she saw on the theatrical poster, is also associated with the name of Mack.
The premiere of her first performance took place in October 1926 on Broadway. Critics enthusiastically spoke about the game of Barbara in this production. Broadway began the career of many successful actresses. It was here that Hollywood producers often found talents. And Barbara Stanwick began her career on Broadway, quickly moving to Hollywood.
Cinema
Almost sixty years on the screen resulted in a huge amount of footage. The number of films and television productions cannot be covered in such a small article, even just listing their names. Films with the participation of Barbara Stanwick can be reviewed, enjoying only the unique grace of the actress. Indeed, there was practically no genre in which she would not feel easy and natural in the frame, whether it was a melodrama like Stella Dallas or Forbidden; thriller, as "Double insurance"; a comedy like Remember this Night or Lady Eve. Even the western in her performance is very good. For example, Union Pacific. Her slightly hoarse voice beckons the viewer, a charming appearance charms. The little face in her most famous paintings of the thirties and forties, coupled with the deepest femininity and at the same time playful panther, creates an unforgettable impression.
At the same time, contemporaries often mentioned her enormous industriousness on the set. And the idea that in the lens the actress with the highest salary in the country did not arise for everyone who was close by. By the way, in 1944, her income amounted to 400 thousand dollars. At that time, she was the highest paid woman in the country. In the frame, she gave herself all the best, repeating and repeating the double after the double, if the scene did not suit her at least in some way. Unlike another famous movie star of those times, Marilyn Monroe, Barbara did not have a star disease.
Television career
Colossal disability allowed to continue acting in the period of the formation of television. One of the hits of the sixties - the television series "Big Valley" brought her an Emmy Award. Already at a venerable age, she appeared in the famous mini-series "Singing in Blackthorn". For the role in which she was also awarded an Emmy. The end of the filming career was on the television series “The Colby Family”, which she left due to a conflict with the producers. So the acting life, which began already in 1927 with a small role as a dancer in the silent movie "Broadway Nights", ended in 1986.
Awards
The legacy that left Barbara Stanwick fans - films and film screenings - brought her a fairly large number of awards. And although the peak of her victories for shooting was only the Emmy and Golden Globe awards, she is rightfully considered the best actress of all time by the world of cinema, who never won an Oscar. Indeed, in her collection there are four nominations for this prestigious award. But the Oscar, of course, was given to her. For her outstanding contribution to cinema, already at an advanced age, in 1982 she received the long-awaited figurine.
Conclusion
Barbara Stanwick, whose filmography includes 93 names, passed away on January 20, 1990. The fantastic film career of a lifetime is over, leaving the fans only an unforgettable voice and the charm of a diva. These black and white films of the Hollywood of the thirties are mostly childishly naive. But they can be watched and reviewed. But so little modern audience knows about this magical era of Hollywood! That was her time. The prime of life and the glory of one of the best actresses of her time.
Barbara Stanwick, whose photo is seductively seduced by innocent beauty, her career left her fans a reminder of how to really work, completely devoting oneself to one's favorite business, not paying attention to difficulties, eschewing "star sickness". The real Cinderella of the cinema ...