Mildred Natwick is an American theater and film actress, best known for her roles in such famous films as The Three Godfathers and Barefoot in the Park.
Biography
Mildred Natwick was born in Baltimore on June 19, 1905. Mildred's grandfather, Oul Natwick, was one of the first Norwegian immigrants to the States; donkey in Wisconsin Oul in 1847. He had 11 children - including Mildred's father, Joseph. In addition, Mildred is the cousin of Myron Natwick, creator of the once popular cartoon beauty Betsy Boop and the main animator of Disney's Snow White.
From early childhood, Mildred was fond of art, especially theatrical performances. Already at school, she constantly participated in children's performances and admired teachers with her talent. Noticing the creative potential of the child, the parents of the young pressure sent her to the theater college, where she continued to develop her talent. After graduating from the theater department of Benett College, the actress toured the country for a long time with various theater companies before making her Broadway debut in 1932.
Career
In the 1930s, she appeared in the title role in numerous plays, while frequently collaborating with theater director and playwright Joshua Logan. The actress admitted in an interview that she considers Logan to be her second father and the man who brought her into the film industry. Mildred Natwick made her film debut in 1940 in John Ford's The Long Way Home, where she played the prostitute Freda. This role was rather difficult for the actress, since the behavior of her character sharply contradicted the life principles of Mildred herself. Director John Ford had to persuade the actress to agree to wear revealing outfits with a deep neckline. Nevertheless, the actress still refused explicit scenes, limiting herself to only single kisses.
But still, until the end of the 1940s, the actress acted in films rather rarely, more devoted to work in the theater, where she achieved great success, as evidenced by two nominations for the "Tony" in 1957 and 1972.
Of her subsequent film roles, the most memorable were the roles in the films of John Ford, including The Three Godfathers (1948), She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and The Quiet Man (1952). Also notable were her roles in Trouble with Harry (1955), Court Jester (1955), Rebellious Teenager (1956) and Barefoot in the Park (1967), for which she was nominated for Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. The actress played in the film the role of Mrs. Banks, the mother of the main character of the film, played by the famous Jane Fonda. The film itself was a resounding success in the United States and became a cult following for its generation, entering the gold collection of American cinema.
Beginning in the 1950s, Mildred Natwick mostly worked in television, where she appeared in many TV series, one of which, Snoop Sisters, won her an Emmy in 1974. The last time on the screens the actress appeared in 1988 in the film "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988), where she played the role of Madame de Rosemond.
Personal life and death of the actress
Mildred Natwick has never married or had children. She was a devout Christian who attended church regularly and led a contented, modest and ascetic lifestyle, despite her profession. Needless to say, the actress has never been seen in scandals and Hollywood intrigues.
In her political views, Natwick was a Republican and supported Dwight D. Eisenhower during the 1952 presidential election. Subsequently, it was Eisenhower who became the president-elect of the United States.
Mildred Natwick died on October 25, 1994 in New York from cancer at the age of 89. She is buried in Lorraine Park Cemetery, Baltimore.
Selected filmography
- The Long Voyage Home (1940) - Freda
- The Enchanted Cottage (1945) - Mrs. Abigail minnett
- Yolanda and the Thief (1945) - Aunt Amarilla
- The Late George Apley (1947) - Amelia Newcombe
- A Woman's Vengeance (1948) - Nurse Caroline Braddock
- The Kissing Bandit (1948) - Isabella
- 3 Godfathers (1948) - The Mother
- She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) - Abby Allshard
- Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) - Mrs. Mebane
- The Quiet Man (1952) - The Widow Sarah Tillane
- Against All Flags (1952) - Molvina MacGregor
- The Trouble with Harry (1955) - Miss Ivy Gravely
- The Court Jester (1955) - Griselda
- Teenage Rebel (1956) - Grace Hewitt
- Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) - Aunt Renie
- Arsenic & Old Lace (1962, TV Movie) - Martha Brewster
- Barefoot in the Park (1967) - Ethel Banks
- If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969) - Jenny Grant
- The Maltese Bippy (1969) - Jenny Grant
- Trilogy (1969) - Miss Miller (segment Miriam)
- Miriam (1970) - Miss Mercedes
- Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate (1971, TV Movie) - Shelby Saunders
- The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972, TV Movie) - Grandma Mills
- Money to Burn (1973, TV Movie) - Emily Finnegan
- The Snoop Sisters (1973-1974, TV series) - Gwendolyn Snoop Nicholson
- Daisy Miller (1974) - Mrs. Costello
- At Long Last Love (1975) - Mabel Pritchard
- Hawaii Five-O (1978) Episode: Frozen Assets - Millicent Shand
- Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) - Mrs. Reilly
- Murder She Wrote (1986, TV series) - Carrie McKittrick
- Dangerous Liaisons (1988) - Madame de Rosemonde (final film role)
