See all videos and articles in Movies for Rest of Us.
Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Subscribe now
Movies for the Rest of Us with Bill Newcott: Remembering Angela Lansbury
Bill Newcott recalls some of the most memorable roles of the Hollywood and TV legend.
Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate (M.C. Productions/United Artists)
Comments
Agree completely with Susie and James Elliott. I intend to watch quite a few of her films on the coming weeks and months that feature both her light and dark sides. She was a multi-dimensional actress that has left us a wonderful legacy to explore and discover.
Speaking for myself, it doesn’t matter if no films were produced anymore because they’re not necessary with all the truly great ones, most of us have never seen from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Always go for the gold, and leave the garbage in the trash.
Susie is quite right! “Angela Lansbury will never be equaled!” Consider the extent of her abilities – The Manchurian Candidate was emphsized in Newcott’s video, but my first memory of her was a children’s movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, then in the midst of Murder She Wrote, i became more familiar with musicals such as Sweeny Todd or Mame. Above all, she came across as a woman of integrity and grace. For me that took her beyond someone who entertained us to someone worthy to be called a Dame. And she was quite a Dame!
No one ever mentions my favorite Angela Lansbury film – Mrs. ‘Arris Goes To Paris — she was wonderful as always, as was the entire cast — Omar Sharif, Diana Rigg, and mny others. In a world where too much is ugly and unkind, this movie — which some will say is sappy — ties everything up beautifully and everyone in it has a happy ending. I watch it every year on my birthday and enjoy it more as time goes on — Angela Lansbury will never be equaled!