The Actress (1953)

Former seaman Clinton Jones now works at a lowly job. His daughter Ruth wants to become an actress. Clinton gets fired and Ruth rejects the advances of Fred Whitmarsh. Her father gives her ... See full summary »

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Ruth Gordon (screenplay), Ruth Gordon (from the play "Years Ago" by)

Stars:

Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons, Teresa Wright

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Spencer Tracy	...	Clinton Jones
Jean Simmons	...	Ruth Gordon Jones
Teresa Wright	...	Annie Jones
Anthony Perkins	...	Fred Whitmarsh
Ian Wolfe	...	Mr. Bagley
Kay Williams	...	Hazel Dawn
Mary Wickes	...	Emma Glavey
Norma Jean Nilsson	...	Anna
Dawn Bender	...	Katherine

Storyline

Former seaman Clinton Jones now works at a lowly job. His daughter Ruth wants to become an actress. Clinton gets fired and Ruth rejects the advances of Fred Whitmarsh. Her father gives her his seaman's spyglass to sell as she heads for New York City.

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Plot Keywords:

actress | seaman | proposal | massachusetts | career | 

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Taglines:

There's hope and heart-ache in the adventures of a stage-struck daughter!

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Years Ago

Filming Locations:

Inglewood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debbie Reynolds was considered for the lead role.

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Goofs

In a scene late in the film set in the kitchen, the light fixture over the kitchen table is seen (and heard!) to rise up to allow the camera to pass below it.

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Quotes

Annie Jones: Ruth, why don't you give up this going on the stage business and settle down with a nice man?
Ruth Gordon Jones: Oh, mama, don't be disgusting!

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Connections

Version of The Ford Theatre Hour: Years Ago (1948)

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Soundtracks

"The Washington Post"
(1889) (uncredited)
Music by John Philip Sousa
Music played during the exercise exhibition

User Reviews

Lovely Old Fashioned Movie

Lovely, beautiful, sentimental and also a funny movie that takes you back to a much, much earlier time in America that will never be again. A story of a young girl who wants to be an actress and her salty father who is really a kind person. We have the appearance of the young Anthony Perkins as well. The movie is very well acted and it is based on the true life story of Ruth Gordon (born Ruth Gordon Jones). It is a movie that the whole family will enjoy--very nostalgic and endearing. I enjoyed it. See it when you can or rent or buy it. Entertaining and delightful and as I said at the beginning: it is a lovely old fashioned movie. They don't make them like this anymore and more's the pity.