Recently, my friend John Baker, sent me a clip of Ava Gardner in Night of the Iguana, and the hysteria that little clip created was immediate. I can’t cut and past the clip he sent me, nor can I find that clip on YouTube to repost here for you to see, but if you watch the movie it’s an UNMISTAKABLE moment of sheer frustration, rage, humiliation and tantrum. The director, John Houston, captured Gardner in such a raw, utterly human moment so completely, that both sadness and humor reign in this singular cinematic moment. Here is the text from the movie script: “Hell, I’m a...I’m a young woman. And attractive too if I COULD JUST GET TO A DECENT BEAUTY PARLOR DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT-(unintelligible).” Exits.
This is a MUST SEE for Tennessee Williams fans (and those who are not familiar with his work, it’s a great introduction to his mastery and genius as a playwright).
ABOUT AVA GARDNER
Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress and singer. Gardner was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941, and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers (1946), and of course, Night of the Iguana (1964).
FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AVA
Although she became well known for her glitzy and bohemian lifestyle in Hollywood and Europe, Ava Gardner came from humble roots. In fact, she was a farm girl growing up! Heralding from Grabtown, North Carolina, Gardner grew up on a tobacco farm and it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Her father died when she was still in her teens, which in part gave her the push to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
Interestingly enough, Ava Gardner’s rise to fame was something of a serendipitous affair that all started thanks to a portrait. When visiting her sister Beatrice in 1941, her brother-in-law, Larry Tarr, wanted to get a picture. Tarr was a professional photographer and he decided to hang the portrait up in his studio. After getting a bunch of attention from mostly male clients, Tarr sent Gardner’s picture to MGM studios.
The rest is history—say cheese!
Given her status as one of Hollywood’s most beautiful and stunning women, Ava Gardner’s attraction to some of the biggest leading men was hardly a big surprise. She was married three times to three different stars. Two of those men, Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra, were also products of the Classic Hollywood studio system.
In between those leading fellas was the famous jazz bandleader and clarinetist Artie Shaw (visit www.Fascinate.com for more fun facts).
QUOTE by AVA
It's a pity nobody believes in simple lust anymore. - Ava Gardner
WHAT I WISH FOR YOU TODAY
A good, hearty, dose of some ‘simple lust.’ (Oh, and Ava, I think there are some women who still believe! HA!)